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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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