Batu Kapal Conservation

The aim of the Batu Kapal Conservation Program is to conserve the diverse habitat of  the endangered Orangutan and other animals that live in this precious rainforest ecosystem in the Wildlife Biolink buffer zone at Batu Kapal, which adjoins the Gunung Leuser NP in North Sumatra.  Our project is 15 minutes by motor bike from Bukit Lawang

The Conservation Project

Our 45 hectare conservation project site is located in the heart of the jungle at Batu Kapal on the tranquil Landak River, overlooking the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Gunung Leuser National Park. The project is 15 minutes by motor bike or a 1 hour walk from the Bukit Lawang village. You will feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of village life, as soon as you arrive in this hidden Sumatran jungle paradise. 

The site is surrounded by nature and geological formations, with frequent visits from the local population of wild orangutans and sightings of porcupines and civet cats. We have resident wild populations of  thomas leaf monkeys, dusky monkeys, macaques, water monitors, geckos and slow loris on the property as well as many birds, butterflies, dragon flies, frogs and insects.

Sumatra represent the last remaining natural habitat for Orangutans in Indonesia. the Sumatran Orangutan is now classified as critically endangered.

Forest cover in Sumatra was reduced by 61% from 1985-1997 due to logging, infrastructure development, internal migration, and plantation development. The Sumatran Orangutan population has decreased by 86% over the past 100 years.  The most recent estimate places the figure around 7,300 left in the wild, with steady losses occurring every year.

Our Goals

Our Goals are to conserve this important buffer zone and Wildlife Biolink that adjoins to the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Gunung Leuser National Park to

1. provide sufficient food for the native animals in general and the orangutan in particular to maintain health and vitality. This will include the progressive replacement of palm oil and rubber plantations with indigenous tall tree species. The purchase and rental of existing mature fruit trees may be necessary. Developing income models at least as commercially attractive as palm oil need to be investigated.
   
2. provide a tall tree canopy biolink reconnecting Batu Kapal to the park and therefore providing an opportunity for the movement of animals to aid in genetic diversity. Reversing  the ongoing intrusion into the park in key identified areas will be required. The revegetation of the Landak river is a priority.
   
3. demonstrate best practice farming and ecotourism whereby human development does not impact the sustainability of natural ecosystem. This will require developing limits to land use, landholding minimum size and prohibiting some forms of land use and recreational activities. 
   

Who we are looking for:

Volunteers are welcome to join are program throughout the year at times that suit you! Our programme is open to all volunteers whether you are on a gap year, at university, retiree or on a holiday. We are looking for enthusiastic people who love nature and want to help make a difference! No specific skills or experience are required, just a commitment to the project and its aims, a passion for wildlife conservation, an ability to work as a team or by yourself and an upbeat, positive attitude.

Prior to Arrival

Please note you are traveling to a safe place in Sumatra and you will have friendly staff available to help you settle in on arrival.Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Indonesia. Entry to Indonesia will be refused and airlines may not carry passengers holding passports with less than six months validity. You are required to retain your arrival card for presentation to Immigration upon your departure.

In order to join this project you will need a tourist visa. You will be able to get one of these on arrival into Indonesia, but please note you may have to pay for this on arrival, however it is now free for many countries. Please check with the Indonesian embassy  website for tourist passport information.

If you plan to stay longer than 30 days in Indonesia, you will need to arrange a 60 day tourist visa in advance. The cost for the 60 day visa can vary depending on which Indonesian embassy you are applying through.

You need to fly into Medan airport (KNO) on the project start date between 9am - 5pm. Please check with your doctor regarding the latest on the vaccinations required to travel to Sumatra