A presentation by J Sunderland-Groves, J Sihite and A Priadjati at ATBC in July 2015.

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. 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. Orangutan Habitat Reduction
Orangutan Indonesia Conservation Strategies and Action Plan, the Ministry of Forestry, 2009

4. Habitat loss through
fire
Illegal and legal
logging and mining
Oil palm expansion
Hunting, killing &
the illegal pet trade
Cause….

5. Extirpation, displacement and trade in
orangutans

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. 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. A solution needs to be sought..
• Activities focus on:
– Rescue
– Rehabilitation
– Reintroduction
– Wild orangutan and habitat conservation
– Community participation and development
– Outreach education

9. Rehabilitation can take 7 years and is costly. But
without this program, there is no future for
displaced, captive orangutans

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. 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. No Settlements
Natural boundaries
No wild orangutans
Supportive local communities
Finding a Release Site

13. In 2012 we re-
established our
reintroduction
program and
have since
released 167
orangutans to
natural habitat

14. Maximising Adaptation Success
Each of our
orangutans are
monitored
using radio
tracking devices
to assess their
health and
adaptation

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. 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. 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. Pro’s
Benefit’s 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. Con’s
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. 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. 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. Thank you