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Friends
of the National Parks Foundation (FNPF)
Activity Report January
2004
Firstly we wish to thank everyone who has supported us in our
activities. May the world have a happy
and peaceful 2004.
This year, FNPF is hoping to lay the foundations for sustained organic
growth going forward. Like many small NGOs, we have been buffeted by the winds
of change. This year, we will focus on deeper roots, in the firm belief that
the fruits will come after. We need, and we ask, for as much help as anyone can
give, in whatever form you wish to give it – prayer, emotional support,
financial support, skill, love.
“Semoga semua hidup berbahagia” - May all beings be happy.
This month, we focused on building the access bridge cum boardwalk traversing the swamp forest leading from the edge of the Sekonyer River towards our reforestation site. The bridge is around 900 meters long and made from Borneo ironwood. We expect that it will last a good 40 years. Since an old hunting track was used, minimal felling was required.
We wish to express our thanks to the US Fish and Wildlife Service and to HSI Australia, for their generous support in helping us build the boardwalk.
We anticipate the boardwalk will add significantly to the site, making it more accessible for education and nature appreciation. It will also enable us to transfer orangutans and wildlife to Pesalat forest for release.
As funds permit, we hope to add signage, walking trails, a birdwatching shelter and an information hut along the track, to create a richer outdoor learning experience for visitors and students.
Despite the focus being on the bridge, we continued with our routine activities, although slightly reduced compared to previous months, focusing on the Pesalat site.
PESALAT
In January, we did a review of activities, while continuing to collect
and prepare seedlings. We also planted
471 seedlings, mainly ‘framework’ species over 2 hectars, making 12 hectares in
all since May.
This month, we collected 1102 seedlings comprising Nyatoh (806) Sintuk Lawang (150), Medang (69), Kayu bunga (50) and Poga (27). Of these, Kayu Bunga and Poga are recent additions to the types of species we are collecting
Since rainfall in the month was quite high, we only had to water occasionionally. The die-off rate for the month averaged
10%-20%, which is on target.
Despite the rainy season, we are considering reducing our planting rate
in coming months. This is because,
although our seedlings are showing a good survival rate, their growth rate (in
the field vs in the nursery) is fairly low.
We are therefore looking at ways to encourage growth in the
ilalang-covered soil that would be in keeping with the ethos of a National
Park, in addition to the experiments we commenced last month on natural and
organic fertilisers.
To ensure we can track our progress, we commenced a more rigorous system of measuring growth rates, based on a sample size of 2 hectares (15% of the planted area). Half the sample measures the growth of a key framework species viz. Nyatoh; the other half measures the growth rates of a variety of species.
Going forward, we expect to focus more on soil enrichment and other
means of achieving higher growth rates.
This, added to our intention to slowly nurture less hardy species in our
nursery for longer periods, wil mean that we need to modify and expand our
nursery and acclimatisation facilities.
We hope to do this over the next few months.
10 hectares, to be planted by mid February 2004.
14 hectares, to be planted by mid February 2004. Currently 12 hectares planted.
Die-off rate of <30%.
Plants to be established by mid April such that they can withstand the
dry season.
A steady supply of healthy seedlings, representing a suitable variety of
local species.
Adequate growth rates such that plants can shade out ilalang weed in 3-5
years.
1.
Seedling stocks
are insufficient and/or insufficiently mature to survive planting
Action :
·
Continue controlled
experiment to identify relative survival rates for different tree species,
modifying acclimatization conditions as required.
·
Review seedling
collection to temporarily reduce collection of less hardy stock
·
Prioritise the
planting of more vigorous stock, to maximize time for less hardy seedlings to
acclimatize
·
Consider various
sources for stock viz. growing from seed, cuttings, wildlings.
2.
There is high
dependence on extensive labour compressed into a short period
Under control, major planting hurdle overcome.
3.
Site access is
impacted by high rainfall, slowing down work
Under control; bridge constructed.
TANJUNG HARAPAN
Due to the focus on the boardwalk, we only did maintanence work on this
site during January. We expect to
refocus on the site in coming months.
10 hectares, to be planted by end May 2004.
4 hectares, to be planted by end May 2004. Currently 4 hectares planted.
Plants should be established by end October.
Working understanding of suitable methods and species choice in swampy conditions.
Appropriate nursery facilities to support various methods of cultivation including growing from seed, cuttings and seedlings, using a medium suited to peat swamp.
1.
Harsh natural
conditions with high die-off rates, depleting seedling stocks and impacting the
viability of continued reforestation
Action :
·
Continue
experiments to identify relative survival rates for different tree species,
modifying species planted as required.
·
Continue
experiments to identify methods of planting at different water levels that
would deliver acceptable survival rates
·
Closely manage
stock levels and seedling choice in planting.
·
Attempt to gain
early warning of adverse conditions e.g. by referring to the Indonesian Bureau
of Meteorology 6-month advance weather forecast.
2.
Inadequate
understanding of the inter-relationship between soil, weather, and plant
species in swampy conditions, leading to poor plant health
Action :
·
Build up a
network of local contacts with relevant expertise who can act as a reference
panel
·
Invite an
independent third party to review work done and methods chosen, at strategic
points in the project
·
Investigate the
viability of an appropriate field nursery for swamp conditions
·
Check theory
against results actually achieved in the field as much as possible
On 24th January, we welcomed 13 local volunteers from the nearby port
town of Kumai, comprising students, youths and some conservation cadets, who came in work alongside our staff to
build the bridge leading to the reforestation site. This activity was focused on nurturing a feeling of love in the
younger generation towards the National Park. We also welcomed the coordinator
of Conservation International Indonesia (CII) Borneo, Wisnu Sukmantoro, who
participated alongside the volunteers.
In addition to helping construct the bridge, the volunteers participated in “hands on” learning about local flora and fauna while tracking through forest. They were all highly enthusiastic and the feedback and response afterwards was such that we plan to carry out an ongoing Conservation Education program every month or so by inviting high school students from the surrounding areas of Pangkalan Bun and Kumai.
We wish to thank the Parks Authorities for waiving entry fees for the volunteers; we also note that this was a first visit for many of the local youth to the Park. We hope to slowly and gradually increase awareness in the surrounding communities of the jewel that is Tanjung Puting that sits in their midst.
GROUP OVERVIEW
This month, Lady did not attend the feeding
platform. As she had not been absent
for several months prior, we immediately started looking for her from 2nd
January, even so we did not see her.
Towards the end of the month, our babysitter Ainun was at the feeding
platform, and saw an orangutan who appeared to be Lady; however as there was a
wild female in the vicinity, the orangutan did not approach despite Ainun
calling. We will continue to keep
looking out for Lady in our regular forest surveys; however in our report this
month, she is not included.
We hope that Lady is well; we take heart from
the fact that we had deemed her more or less ready for release, and was in fact
planning a ‘soft release’ for February (please see last month’s report). Her
proven ability to find food, and the current fruit season is another positive.
At Lady’s age of nearly 6 years (she will start being sexually mature around 7
years), there could be several reasons why she is no longer coming to feeding
including wanting to separate from Adong or following another orangutan. We believe it is unlikely that her
babysitter could be mistaken in identifying her, and we will continue to keep
looking out for her.
Physically, all the orangutans continue in good health although they have had some minor colds and sneezes brought on by the rainy season. We continue to add vitamins and egg to their milk to strengthen their constitution and provide needed protein.
Mentally, since Lady’s departure, Adong has appeared lost and stressed.
He cried for several days and appeared to be searching for Lady after she did
not appear. Finally he seemed to stay
away from the forest now he no longer had a friend, and preferred to seek out
human company rather than mix with Butet and Daniel. We have tried to minimise
the impact of stress by treating him more gently while still encouraging him to
stay in the forest, and he is in better spirits now than when Lady first
left.
Food Self-Sufficiency
This month, many fruits were in season, including Besirak, Mahang,
Kemanjar, Terantang, Pisulan, Nyatuh, Medang, Asam madu, Papung etc. Probably
as a result, Butet and Daniel did not come to feeding for two days. Adong however stayed around the post and
although he ate from the plentiful fruits around the post, he seemed reliant on
the bananas we are providing. We know
from past observation he has the skills to find food; however he was never
really eager to do so and this has worsened since Lady left.
Monitoring & Observation
We continue to observe the orangutans 3 days a week to gather data that will allow us to gauge their progress. At this moment, we are focusing on the change of behaviour in Adong since Lady left.
INDIVIDUAL ORANGUTAN PROGRESS
DANIEL & BUTET
Overall : Good to Excellent and continuing to
improve
Butet : Excellent.
Daniel : Continues to improve, learning from Butet. Daniel is now clearly comfortable travelling in the mid to upper canopy.
Both are now regularly building one or more nests (day and night nests) each day; generally they sleep separately but we have observed them jointly building a nest and then sleeping together on three occasions.
Food self-sufficiency
Butet : Excellent
Daniel : He continues to eat from new choices, following Butet’s example, including from various permanent food sources such as young leaves, flowers, pith and insects despite the current plentiful supply of seasonal fruit.
Both mainly come to feeding for milk, eating little if any of the fruit we provide.
Confidence & exploration
Both : Good
Daniel has now explored all of Butet’s range (est 1 km). The only risk is that they will become overly attached to each other; we will continue to watch out for this.
Self-protection
Both : more observation needed.
Daniel continues to learn via playing (mock fights with Butet); also from Butet’s example (e.g removing potential hazards by breaking dead branches)
Butet is showing signs frequently displayed by wild orangutans viz. lip squeaks, throwing sticks if the observer gets to close, etc.
Social / Orangutan vs Human Interaction
Butet & Daniel are now clearly comfortable interacting with other orangutans in their area. This month, we often saw them playing with a wild juvenile male, around 15 years old. We also saw them following another wild male toward the river. Once after feeding, a dominant male approached; however they showed no signs of fear or discomfort. We have also observed them being followed by young wild juvenile males several times. From our records, they appear to be more comfortable staying in the forest than around the post.
ADONG
Forest skills, Food self-sufficiency,
Self-protection
Overall : Fair, deteriorated since Lady left
Mental Health, Confidence & Social
Overall : Poor to Fair, deteriorated since
Lady left
This month, as stated earlier Adong appeared sad and listless since Lady
left. He spent 4-5 days appearing to
search for her, calling and crying.
Finally he seemed to lose interest in staying in the forest, preferring
to seek out human company rather than mix with Butet and Daniel.
To encourage him to stay in the trees and sleep in the forest, one of
our staff waits in the forest after feeding until Adong builds a nest and it
starts to get dark. This appears fairly effective in keeping Adong in the
forest; we want to strengthen his spirit to hold on despite Lady leaving him,
and not to lose direction and run back to humans.
Although Lady’s going has been stressful, this has had the positive
impact of reducing the risk to Adong. In recent months, there have been
frequest longcalls by dominant males around the post, and several young males
have been around the area. Since Lady is a rapidly maturing female, it is
dangerous for Adong to be always around her, as many males that seek to
approach Lady will become jealous or angry seeing Adong always close by.
At present, we are considering two options to prevent Adong
deteriorating further:
1.
Inviting him to
feeding and waiting for him after feeding until he builds a nest, so that he
does not return to the post. Then,
before he leaves his nest, he is observed and accompanied in the forest from
dawn. (nest to nest)
2.
He is moved to an
area where there is less human contact.
There, he will be continously observed / accompanied by a select staff,
nest to nest.
Especially given Adong’s past tendency to approach visitors, both these
steps are strong possibilities, given the importance of minimising orangutan /
human contact. Our hope is we can help Adong hold on and build his confidence
to stay in the forest.
Education Support Program
We are quite excited as our
Education Support program for the village elementary school seems to be going
smoothly. 4 students received
scholarships on 31st December, and initial funds have now been
provided for school facilities including teaching support materials, sports
equipment and first aid equipment. We
also continue with our regular English classes.
We hope to build on this program in future periods,
and may also look to extend it to include scholarships for village children
hoping to enter High School in Kumai.
If there is anyone who is interested in helping support such a program,
please contact us on fnpf@dps.centrin.net.id
This month, we recommenced our
batik activities in the house of Pak Dullah, as the village ladies wanted to
continue and our training room was still unavailable. We accordingly did so, and will take apart and rebuild our
training room in a more convenient location, near the village cooperative.
We met with the village ladies and all agreed to try a more pro-active approach, with the ladies driving pattern choice and telling us what they need. The ladies also agreed to ask their menfolk to help Pak Dullah collect natural dye material. We are hopeful that over time, the project will run independantly of FNPF.
Our organisation review and revamp continues this
month. We commenced training our female
staff, Ainun, in the new bookkeeping procedures, and we plan to send staff on a
field study trip to Palangkaraya next month.
We are also starting on a procedures and practices manual to develop
more rigorous standards in our fieldwork.
Such is our report for the month.
Once again, we wish to thank all our sponsors and supporters for the
help and support they give so generously.
Respectfully,
FNPF Staff and Volunteer