I just received this press release yesterday. Any idea to help is welcome. Thanks.

CENTRE FOR ORANGUTAN PROTECTION

Jakarta, Indonesia
June 12th 2008, 10 am

PRESS RELEASE

URGING PROTECTION OF ORANGUTAN OUTSIDE CONSERVATION AREAS

Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) urges Indonesian Forestry Department to immediately act proactively in protecting orangutans living outside conservation areas, particularly in Central Kalimantan. If this is not carried out, COP prediction that orangutans living outside the conservation areas in Central Kalimantan will be extinct within the next 3 years will become reality.

At the very moment of this press release, a palm oil plantation PT. Nabatindo Karya Utama is threatening the existence of the last remaining orangutans in Tumbang Koling Village, Cempaga Hulu Sub-District, District of Kotawaringin Timur. The similar conditions have spread to almost all forest areas in Central Kalimantan Province. COP has contacted Forestry Department at all levels and none of them could promise a commitment to solve this matter. Forestry Department could hardly do something to protect orangutans living outside the conservation areas. COP cannot accept the excuse that Forestry Department has to avoid conflicts with the local authorities which are Provincial Government and Forestry Department. COP also cannot accept the excuse that there is no regulation existing on protecting an orangutan habitat which is not a part of conservation area.

Based on Population and Habitat Viability (PHVA) 2004, the number of remaining orangutans in Central Kalimantan Province is 31,300 individuals. With the extinction rate of 9% a year or 2,817 individuals would die in a year, thus the total number of orangutans left in this year would be 20,032 individuals. The ambition of Central Kalimantan Government to increase the provincial revenue from palm oil sector has led to the massive destruction of pristine forest including orangutan habitats. A COP observation within 2007-2008 in all orangutan habitats in Central Kalimantan concludes that at least 8,631 orangutans living outside conservation areas are under threat. A somepoint their habitats could be destroyed for palm oil plantation. With the extinction rate of 2,817 orangutans a year, orangutans living outside conservation area will be extinct from the wildlife within the next 3 years.

Up to this point, Forestry Department is only able and willing to do evacuation. Orangutans are removed to other forest areas or sent to Rehabilitation Centres. Those send to Rehabilitation Centres are generally heavily wounded or the infants as their mothers have been killed. At the moment, all Rehabilitation Centres have been beyond their capacity limit. Now, Nyaru Menteng Rehabilitation Centre in Central Kalimantan can only accept orangutan infants as there are no more places available for the adults.

There is an urgent need to have a political will in order to protect orangutans and their habitats.

HARDI BAKTIANTORO, Executive Director
HP: 0818333911

COP / Centre for Orangutan Protection
Wisma Metropolitan II, 6th Floor
Jalan Jenderal Sudirman Kav.29
Jakarta 12920 INDONESIA
T /F : +6221 7395877
E: orangutan[at]indosat.net.id
www.cop.or.id