1. 1. Landscape restoration to support Bornean orangutan rehabilitation and reintroduction J.L Sunderland-Groves, J. Sihite, A. Priadjati Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation PT. Restorasi Habitat Orangutan Indonesia
2. 2. Orangutan Conservation Status on Borneo Changing landscapes have dramatically impacted orangutan populations across the island of Borneo Estimates suggest a reduction of 75% of the population between 1900 and 2004
3. 3. Orangutan Habitat Reduction Orangutan Indonesia Conservation Strategies and Action Plan, the Ministry of Forestry, 2009
4. 4. Habitat loss through fire Illegal and legal logging and mining Oil palm expansion Hunting, killing & the illegal pet trade Cause.
5. 5. Extirpation, displacement and trade in orangutans
6. 6. BOS Foundation Established in 1991, and in response to the significant number of orphaned or displaced orangutans across Borneo, the BOS Foundation established two main rescue and rehabilitation programs in East and Central Kalimantan
7. 7. Over 24 years we have rescued and provided sanctuary to over 2000 orangutans We currently care for and provide rehabilitation to over 700 orangutans within our centres
8. 8. A solution needs to be sought.. Activities focus on: Rescue Rehabilitation Reintroduction Wild orangutan and habitat conservation Community participation and development Outreach education
9. 9. Rehabilitation can take 7 years and is costly. But without this program, there is no future for displaced, captive orangutans
10. 10. Primary Objective: Reintroduction One of the most urgent aspects of our work is successful orangutan reintroduction Main challenge: Available land which fulfills national and international (IUCN) criteria
11. 11. Finding a Release Site Right kind of Forest 1. Stay Forested in the future 2. Large enough to support a viable population 3. Subspecies appropriate location
12. 12. No Settlements Natural boundaries No wild orangutans Supportive local communities Finding a Release Site
13. 13. In 2012 we re- established our reintroduction program and have since released 167 orangutans to natural habitat
14. 14. Maximising Adaptation Success Each of our orangutans are monitored using radio tracking devices to assess their health and adaptation
15. 15. Adapting to the Current Situation and Success Secured land through various avenues 1. Conservation Forest (Bukit Batikap) 35,000 ha managed by government 2. Purchased an Ecosystem Restoration Concession (ERC) 84,650 ha 3. Bought land directly from local people (Salat Island and the Rehabilitation Centres)
16. 16. Ecosystem Restoration Concession (ERC) Only the second license given under this scheme in Indonesia Functions the same as a utilisation concession area in terms of reporting, management and fees/ tax and are often areas previously leased as logging concession areas The sole purpose of our ERC is long-term conservation and specifically to support orangutan reintroduction Cost $1.2 million (60 year lease)
17. 17. Challenges All of our release areas, regardless of status, need careful management Harmonising the needs of local people Combat and manage encroachment Competing with human development activities Ensure connectivity where possible to adjacent orangutan populations etc.
18. 18. Pros Benefits of ERCs: We have management responsibility We can control access and activities Right to fully protect the area Potential carbon opportunities for the future (long-term sustainable funding)
19. 19. Cons Challenges to ERCs: We have management responsibility Expensive initial lease cost and ongoing maintenance costs Government requirements are in line with those developed for profit making organisations focused on logging or other human development activities rather than conservation Poorly developed carbon market
20. 20. Summary Although we have tried a variety of methods to secure land for long-term orangutan conservation, there are multiple challenges Finding suitable habitat is possible, but the cost of purchase can be high and funds are needed for the long-term (60+ years) Overall we need to cooperate with all stakeholders; local communities, companies engaged in land conversion activities and the government of Indonesia if we are to successfully secure orangutan conservation
21. 21. Our work is made possible through support from multiple donors including: BOS Australia, Germany and Switzerland, DANIDA, Margot Marsh Biodiversity Foundation, Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, Save the Orangutan, The Orangutan Project, USFWS and USAID
22. 22. Thank you