Activity report by FNPF staff - March 2003

On 9th March 2003, we re-entered Tanjung Harapan Rehabilitation Post together with the PHKA staff and staff from the Kumai government security agency KORAMIL. The situation in the field at this moment is very peaceful and there are already a few visitors that have begun to enter the camp at Tanjung Harapan. The furthest post is occupied by OFI staff and the center post is occupied by PHKA staff whereas FNPF is at the head of the river. Pondok Tanggui is also occupied by OFI staff.

When we first arrived, the condition of the post was very dirty and not cared for and a lot of equipment was damaged such as the electrical installations, the water purification system, orangutan cages and other equipment. Therefore our first activities were focused on repairing all the equipment that was damaged. After that we started to continue our reforestation program and begun retraining the three orangutans to live in the forest. Reforestation activity was carried out in the ex-burnt area in front of the Rimba Lodge hotel; 133 seeds were planted which consisted of Pulai, Ketiau (Ganua motleyana), Terantang (Gomnosperma macrophylla), and Medang (Hibiscus ap). These tree species are specifically species that grow in swamp forest in keeping with the local habitat. The seedlings that we had previously planted have grown well and are now around 2 meters high after only a year.

Mengkudu Project

For this month, 50 mengkudu seedlings were planted by Mr. Suriansyah. We are not preparing any more seedlings for the moment as we still have a lot of stock and the villagers are not yet availing themselves of the seedlings. The seedlings that have been planted by Mr. Dollah are flourishing and have started to fruit.

Orangutan Rehabilitation

Since returning to Tanjung Harapan post, we have begun releasing the three orangutans still under our direct care for short periods. We did this on the second day at the camp. The orangutans were released into the forest around the post to allow them to start adapting to their new habitat and they all looked very comfortable in the trees.

From the moment they were released, we have seen very clear differences amongst the three orangutans, Adong, Lady and Butet. Butet from the beginning has shown behaviour that is well adapted to being in the forest; he is also able to make his own nest and already knows which kinds of fruit can be eaten such as labu-labu rawa, karamunting, besirak, fruit from junjung and bingkai root, young leaves and palm cabbage. On the first day, Butet was still hesitant about entering the forest and waiting for Adong and lady. All three still sleep in their cage, however now, three weeks down the track, Butet has now started sleeping in the nests that he makes whereas Adong and Lady still sleep in the cage. All three are in excellent health except that Butet has a minor problem with this left hand. This may be caused by that hand constantly being pulled by Adong and Lady.

At first, Adong followed Lady up the trees but was otherwise fairly inactive; however on the following day, he looked to be diligently searching for food; even that however was only after seeing Butet eating the fruit around the post.

He has become increasing capable; however he is very dependant on Lady; when Lady returns to the post he also returns, if left too far from her he cries. At this stage, Adong is still unable to build his own nest.

As for Lady, she is very lazy to go into the forests as a result of having lived among humans too long. Every day she stays close to the post and sometimes she only sleeps on tree branches; she has never made the effort to learn how to build her own nest and at times she prefers to come down and play with the water at the bathing area. Her attitude has a very bad effect on Adong who is always following her. We are now working to move their feeding area deeper into the forests, and only provide food once a day now to try to reduce their dependence on the food that we provide. We will move the feeding area every six months to encourage the orangutans to get to know the woods around them more quickly and to reduce the interaction with the humans around the post.

Such is the report we can make for this month; we thank you for all your help and support.

Greetings in Conservation,
FNPF staff