2021 Annual Report
Photo © Tim Laman
Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program Yayasan Palung
OUr mission
Indonesian Office Yayasan Palung Jl. Kol. Sugiono Gg. Ikram No. 01 Ketapang 78851 Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia Phone: +62 534-3036367
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Our VISION
Mission & Vision Foreword 1. INTRODUCTION 2. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 3. CONSERVATION AWARENESS 4. SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS 5. ANIMAL PROTECTION & INVESTIGATIONS 6. HABITAT PROTECTION & CUSTOMARY FORESTS 7. ORANGUTAN RESEARCH 8. GPOCP/YP IN THE NEWS 9. RECOGNIZING OUR DEDICATED STAFF GPOCP & Yayasan Palung Board 2021 Financial Summary Our 2021 Donors & Sponsors
GPOCP/YP Annual Report 2021
is to develop a human community that is aware and motivated to conserve orangutans, their habitat, and biodiversity in the Gunung Palung National Park landscape
U.S. Office GPOCP P.O. Box G 1661 Massachusetts Ave Lexington, MA 02420 Email: saveGPorangutans@gmail.com
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GPOCP is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Federal Tax ID Number 26-1380932
is to protect orangutan populations and forest biodiversity in and around Gunung Palung National Park, West Kalimantan, Indonesia
Table of Contents
Yours sincerely,
Foreword by Executive Director Dr. Cheryl Knott
One of our core values at GPOCP/YP is to implement conservation solutions that are community driven, hiring our staff from talented local people who are imbedded in the communities where we work. In 2021, as we experienced another year of a global pandemic, this strategy enabled GPOCP/YP to thrive. As COVID-19 restricted worldwide movements we were able to rely on the expertise of our well-trained and knowledgeable local staff who continued our conservation and research work with little interruption. Our training of in-country students, collaborations with Indonesian scientists, and our strong partnerships with governmental agencies and local NGOs were the key that enabled us to continue to safeguard orangutan populations and habitat despite the pandemic. This commitment to community-driven conservation partnerships and fostering in-country expertise received international recognition in 2021 as an example of best conservation and research practices. I am very proud to share some of the highlights of what we've been able to achieve this year: Our Environmental Education team reached 5,157 students through in-person and online lectures, field trips, and environmental education expeditions. We continued to support 3 youth volunteer groups, who have helped to carry out a wide variety of special events. We have also spread our message through a series of Conservation Awareness campaigns, reaching hundreds of thousands of people in 2021. The Sustainable Livelihoods team continued work to support local community members to transition to and develop forest friendly alternative sources of income which are forest-friendly. This year, they worked to build local capacity through trainings, workshops, seminars and comparative studies, and assisted sales through marketing campaigns and mobile markets. Non-timber forest product handicraft artisans, organic farmers, and fish farmers generated thousands of dollars of income through their forest-friendly products. The Animal Protection team spent 187 days conducting field investigations, and uncovered 8 cases of people illegally keeping wildlife as pets. They also dealt with 15 cases of human-orangutan conflict. We held 3 roadshows to remote villages to spread awareness about these issues. Our team also carried out biodiversity surveys in 6 Customary Forests, over 16 transects. The Customary Forest team has continued supporting 7 villages through Indonesia’s Hutan Desa initiative, increasing the capacity of management boards to survey and protect their land, and supporting community members partaking in environmentally friendly livelihoods. In 2021, a total of 16,710 tree seedlings were planted throughout these communities. We also proposed two new villages to be designated as Customary Forests, and hope the land decree will be issued within the next year. The research team followed 104 orangutans for over 3,600 hours and increased fieldwork efforts in the Rangkong River research area at a new campsite. We also hosted 7 undergraduate students from the National University in Jakarta and Tanjungpura University in Pontianak, who conducted senior theses on orangutans and we supported one master’s student, who graduated this year. Lastly, I’m excited to share that in 2021 we published a new article in Biological Conservation which highlights our 25 years of research and conservation on orangutans in Gunung Palung National Park, and another article about confronting ethical challenges in long-term research in the tropics. I am grateful for your partnership in helping protect wild orangutans. Without the help of our strong, international base of supporters, GPOCP/YP's work would not be possible!
1. introduction
Map of the Gunung Palung National Park conservation landscape, showing oil palm concessions and the GPOCP/YP working area. Adapted from Knott et al. (2021).
Gunung Palung National Park (GPNP), located in West Kalimantan (Borneo), Indonesia is a 108,000-hectare protected area that contains nine distinct ecosystem types, representing nearly every variety of vegetation on Borneo. The Gunung Palung lanscape is a designated United Nations Great Ape Survival Project conservation priority area and represents one of the world’s most important blocks of wild orangutan habitat. Made up of tropical moist lowland, peat swamp and montane forests, GPNP hosts a myriad of other endangered and endemic species including gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis), Malaysian sun bears (Helarctos melayanus), proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus), Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica), Horsefield’s tarsiers (Cephalopachus bancanus) and helmeted hornbills (Rhinoplax vigil). Beyond the conservation and scientific value as the only remaining intact lowland alluvial rainforest in Borneo, the National Park is an essential water catchment area, supplying clean water to the surrounding population. The Gunung Palung landscape also plays a major role in buffering against climate change for the region, with deep peat forests serving as a carbon sink and mitigating the flooding and salt water intrusion that damages coastal farmlands. The Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program (GPOCP), known locally as Yayasan Palung (YP), has been involved in scientific research and conservation in the area since 1994.
Across Borneo, forests continue to be cleared. Timber and minerals are extracted at an alarming rate and peatlands are drained for industrial-scale agriculture, wreaking havoc on ecosystems and destroying biodiversity. Some of the most affected areas are vast forested regions which lie outside of protected lands, but are nonetheless critical habitat for orangutans. These 'buffer zone' forests have also traditionally provided local communities with the natural resources that they need to support themselves. As more and more rainforest habitat disappears, the orangutan populations in and around GPNP are the collateral victims. Opening of the forest for logging and agriculture increases access for poachers and hunters involved in the illegal wildlife trade. Habitat degradation can lead to food scarcity, which in turn may stress orangutans, threatening their health and potentially negatively affecting their reproductive rate. Lack of food periodically forces orangutans to forage in oil palm plantations or private farmlands, triggering conflict with humans. The biggest direct threats to orangutans in the Gunung Palung lanscape are illegal logging and the expansion of oil palm, and mineral mining. These threats are driven by a complex web of social, economic and political factors, including the lack of sustainable livelihoods for local communities, low levels of education, and a lack of local, regional and national political commitment to effective conservation.
1.1 WHY GUNUNG PALUNG NATIONAL PARK?
1.2 CONSERVATION THREATS
Photos © Tim Laman
Reduce dependence on environmentally-destructive income-generating activities and livelihood options
Produce digital and print content, and use radio to raise awareness about current conservation & environmental issues
Increase scientific knowledge of orangutan ecology, behavior and reproduction & study the status of the GPNP population
Sustainable Livelihoods
Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Police Forestry Police International Animal Rescue (IAR) Yayasan Planet Indonesia FORINA (Forum Orangutan Indonesia)
Photo © GPOCP/YP
Ministry of Environment and Forestry Center for Social Forestry and Environmental Partnerships (BPSKL) West Kalimantan Forestry Service Forestry Unit Kayong Utara Village governments
Gunung Palung National Park Bureau (BTN-GP) Department of Education Tanjungpura University (UNTAN) Universitas Nasional (UNAS) Department of Environment Local schools Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI)/Health in Harmony
GPOCP/YP conservation and research staff during our 2021 Annual Meeting.
Investigate and uncover poaching and illegal wildlife trade, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict
Scientific Research
Animal Protection & Investigations
Gunung Palung National Park Bureau (BTN-GP) Fisheries and Marine Services Department of Environment Department of Agriculture Handicraft & Home Industry Cooperative (Disperindagkop) National Craft Council Kayong Utara (Dekranasda)
GPOCP/YP Partners
Bring high quality environmental education to schools, villages, and communities throughout the Gunung Palung landscape
Prevent deforestation, rehabilitate land, and protect traditional community land rights to ensure sustainable management
Conservation Awareness
Environmental Education
Habitat Protection & Customary Forests
Gunung Palung National Park Bureau (BTN-GP) Boston University Universitas Nasional (UNAS) Tanjungpura University (UNTAN)
The Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program (Yayasan Palung) aims to ensure a future for orangutan populations and their tropical forest habitat in and around Gunung Palung National Park. We use a multi-faceted community-based approach to conservation, employing five main strategies: 1) Environmental Education & Conservation Awareness, 2) Sustainable Livelihoods, 3) Animal Protection through Wildlife Crime Investigation & Monitoring, 4) Habitat Protection through Customary Forests, and 5) Scientific Research.
1.3 GPOCP/YP'S CONSERVATION SOLUTIONS
Environmental Education & Conservation Awareness
1.4 GPOCP/YP'S CONSERVATION STAKEHOLDERS
Habitat Protection
GPOCP/YP routinely visits schools in the GPNP buffer zone as well as in the town of Ketapang. Our in-school programming consists of a variety of classroom activities for elementary, junior and senior high school students, and themed puppet shows for kindergarten and early-elementary students. In 2021, our classroom activties reached a total of 1,534 students through 53 in-person lectures and presentations, and 332 students through 9 online lectures. An additional 592 students were reached through 9 puppet shows. We continue to show improvement in knowledge gain, as measured through our pre- and post- test surveys (using the methodology in Freund et al. 2019). We also had field assistants from our research team present at schools about their work at Cabang Panti Research Station, inspiring local youth about possible career paths within environmental sciences right in their own backyards.
6 scholarship recipients
Youth group members go on a field trip to Lubuk Baji.
2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION EXPEDITIONS
GPOCP/YP runs 3 environmental youth groups: RK-TAJAM in Ketapang and RK-REBONK in Kayong Utara, as well as the Bentangor Kids Club for younger children living around our Bentangor Environmental Education Center. We hold meetings and trainings for the groups on topics such as organizational skills, ecotourism, environmental science and media. They also help implement our public outreach events and our volunteers' creative delivery of conservation messages are essential to our success across all demographics. This year, we celebrated the 10th anniversary of REBONK and the 11th anniversary of TAJAM! REBONK and TAJAM members helped to organize and run a variety of special events this year, including World Orangutan Day, Earth Day, Orangutan Caring Week, World Environment Day and World Rainforest Day. In 2021, we held 12 special events consisting of 25 activities, which reached a total of 628 people. Additional days celebrated included National Waste Awareness Day, World Biodiversity Day, National Nature Conservation Day, World Ozone Day, and Earth Hour.
5,157 student participants
9 field trips for 213 students
2.3 YOUTH GROUPS & SPECIAL EVENTS
This year, we continued our environmental education expeditions to communities in the more remote reaches of the GPNP landscape. In 2021, the education team carried out 4 expeditions, reaching 1,592 people in remote villages around the National Park. The 4 expeditions included a total of 10 lectures, 8 film screenings, 12 puppet shows, and 8 community discussions. All activities focused on teaching participants about orangutans, their habitat, and other rainforest biodiversity. An additional 3 expeditions were held in collaboration with another local NGO, Alam Sehat Lestari (ASRI), to provide free health screenings and medical treatment alongside our environmental education. These expeditions involved a total of 7 lectures, 7 field trips, and 3 film screenings which reached a total of 545 people.
2. ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
Elementary school students participate in an in-class activity run by GPOCP/YP staff.
Photos © GPOCP/YP
49 teachers trained
GPOCP/YP works to build a strong base of students and teachers dedicated to environmental education. We strive to engage as many students as possible in orangutan and rainforest conservation. One of our key goals is to inspire and nurture environmental stewardship among youth so that they can become guardians of the animals and plants living in the GPNP landscape.
2.1 CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Students participate in an in-school activity (left) and community members watch a film during a mobile cinema event (right) during an Environmental Education Expedition.
Field trips are at the core of our Environmental Education program. We bring youth to rainforests and mangroves to learn about ecosystem services and local biodiversity, helping to foster a sense of stewardship towards environmental protection. In 2021, we held 9 field trips, with 213 students. Destinations included the Lubuk Baji forest in the National Park, the forest surrounding our Bentangor Environmental Education Center, and Pasir Mayang Beach in Kayong Utara.
The West Bornean Orangutan Caring Scholarships are awarded in partnership with the Orang Utan Republik Foundation.
The 2021 Cohort of West Bornean Orangutan Caring Scholarship Recipients.
2.6 ORANGUTAN CARING SCHOLARSHIPS
Students learn to identify plants during a field trip to the Bentangor "mini forest."
The Bentangor Kids Club celebrates Orangutan Caring Week.
GPOCP/YP works to educate and build awareness at all levels of the education system in order to fundamentally increase understanding and change people's behavior towards orangutans in the Gunung Palung landscape. Despite visiting as many schools as our resources and schedules allow, our staff can't reach every student throughout the area on a monthly basis. So, our program also includes an often overlooked demographic within conservation outreach – teachers! In 2021, we held 2 two-day workshops for 49 teachers. These workshops aim to help teachers incorporate environmental sciences into the classroom. We continued our collaboration with with the local Education Department and the Department of Environmental Health to assist with these efforts.
The West Bornean Orangutan Caring Scholarship (WBOCS) program provides scholarships for students from underprivileged families to attend university at Universitas Tanjungpura in Pontianak, the provincial capital. The WBOCS program has two main goals: 1) to foster a college-educated generation that has a commitment to orangutan and habitat conservation, and 2) to provide material support to young people of Ketapang and Kayong Utara who would otherwise be unable to continue their education at the university level. This year we awarded 6 new scholarships, bringing the total number of recipients since 2012 to 49 students. We also held our annual 3-day training course for the recipients to build their capacity, helping to find a successful job once completing university. We provide students with internships at our office, research station, or with another conservation partner for one month, and each student writes a senior thesis related to orangutans or habitat protection. WBOCS students play a major role in our outreach programs, regularly helping to organize and participate in big events like Orangutan Caring Week. Because students study diverse majors, including law, forestry, education, international relations, sociology, geography, biology, and computer software, this scholarship program results in multidisciplinary local support for conservation.
2.4 TEACHER TRAINING WORKSHOPS
2.5 FIELD TRIPS
Teachers attend a training workshop in November 2021 at an elementary school in the town of Sukadana.
Yeli Kurniasari is from Sandai District, Ketapang Regency. She is studying International Relations at Tanjungpura University.
GPOCP/YP broadcasted a total of 44 environmental radio programs in 2021, which consisted of 31 broadcasts on the Ketapang Regency Radio and 13 interactive dialogues on the Kayong Utara Radio. Each month we reach an estimated 400,000 listeners across the landscape. Shows are interactive, often calling on special guests from local government and community organizations. We also started training youth group members to present and lead talk shows, increasing their capacity and adding new perspectives.
Meet our West Bornean Orangutan Caring Scholarship 2021 Recipients
Keti Agusti comes from Penjawaan village, Sandai District. She is now majoring in Biology at Tanjungpura University.
Riko Wibowo is from Podorukun Village, Seponti District and is now studying Forestry at Tanjungpura University.
Agun Prayoga comes from Rantau Panjang, Simpang Hillir District. He is now studying Forestry at Tanjungpura University.
Recording an interactive dialogue at the Kayong Utara Radio Station.
Our Conservation Awareness program employs a range of communication tools to raise awareness about orangutans and their rainforest habitat. Our ultimate goal is to nurture environmental stewardship among people living not only in the Ketapang and Kayong Utara Regencies, but also across Indonesia and the world.
Egi Iskander was born in Ketapang and attended high school in Sukadana. He is studying Forestry at Tanjungpura University.
207 Indonesian articles published
12 special events held with 628 participants
11 scientific presentations given
3. CONSERVATION AWARENESS
44 radio shows broadcasted
Rita Kurniati comes from Delta Pawan Village, Sukabangun Dalam, Ketapang. She is studying Forestry at Tanjungpura University.
3.3 MEDIA & PRESENTATIONS
To make the most impact locally, we publish Indonesian language articles, blogs, and newsletters. We published a total of 207 news articles in provincial and national print and online newspapers in 2021, with a total of 12,177 readers. We also posted another 93 blogs on our Indonesian website (yayasanpalung.com). Articles were featured in newspapers such as the Pontianak Post, Tribun Pontianak, Indo Net News, Kompasiana, Equator, Suara Pemred, and Mongabay Indonesia. These media outlets allow us to reach audiences well beyond the local communities of Ketapang and Kayong Utara, covering a variety of topics, from our conservation activities to editorials on environmental issues. We raise awareness throughout Indonesia and beyond about the global importance of environmental conservation, the specific threats to Kalimantan’s biodiversity and actions that can be taken to address these threats. Since remote communities cannot always interact digitally, we also create brochures, banners, posters and bi-annual printed newsletters. Last year we shared over 2,000 copies of our newsletter with local stakeholders, villages and partners. In 2021, the themes of our Indonesian Newsletter, MIaS, were "Management of Natural Resources in an Effort to Reduce the Impact of Climate Change" and "Protection of Animals and Habitats". We had a variety of other printed campaign media, including cartoon picture books, tote bags, reusable water bottles, stickers, and classroom posters that spread awareness and educate about orangutans and other wildlife. We also write a monthly English language newsletter, Code RED, to share our on-the-ground conservation and research activities with our international audience! Join our email list to receive Code RED right to your inbox. Part of our outreach strategy is also to share our research with stakeholders and partners. In 2021, we had 11 presentations, given by Dr. Cheryl Knott, and local and foreign GPOCP/YP researchers.
3.1 RADIO
4.1 ORGANIC FARMING
A Meteor Garden farmer tends to his crop of long beans.
4. SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS
Gunung Palung Orangutan Project Yayasan Palung (Indonesian) @savewildorangutans (English) @yayasan_palung (Indonesian) @GPOrangutans (English) @gpocp (Indonesian)
81 households engaged
8 groups supported
Our organic agriculture program provides local villages with the technical support necessary to increase crop yield, thus reducing the need for destructive slash-and-burn farming for new land. In 2021, we continued to support the Meteor Garden group in Pampang Harapan Village and the Rintis Betunas group in Riam Berasap Jaya Village. These groups grow a variety of crops, including cucumbers, chilis, eggplants, long beans, mustard greens and more. Meteor Garden also produced organic fertilizer, to use on their own crops as well as sell to the other farmers. In 2021, these groups sold a total of 2,038 kg of vegetables, earning 13,897,500 rupiah (~$900). Unfortunately, they suffered sizable losses due to severe flooding and landslides which occurred in July 2021. Flooding caused damage to farmland and significantly reduced the total number of crops that could be harvested for the rest of the year. These groups were able to receive additional support from governmental agencies in 2021. The Meteor Garden group received 40 packs of vegetable seeds. Meteor Garden members also worked to cultivate 1,035 jengkol (dog fruit) plant seedlings at the Bentangor seedling nursery, which were then planted in their respective fields and distributed to other community members interested in planting them.
12 workshops held
$4,100 earned
Social media is an invaluable tool for spreading conservation awareness to people concerned about orangutans and their rainforest habitat across Indonesia and around the world. Check out our different accounts!
The Sustainable Livelihoods program strives to encourage “forest-friendly” economic opportunities among communities living in the Park buffer zone. We promote organic farming, develop non-timber forest product (NTFP) artisan groups, and teach people aquaculture (fish farming) methods. These programs help to deter illegal land clearing, hunting and logging in the area.
GP Orangutans
To promote and sell NTFPs from Sustainable Livelihoods groups, as well as from villages supported by our Hutan Desa program, we built a roadside gallery at our Bentangor Environmental Education Center. The gallery was built in early 2021, and then, unfortunately, destroyed in the detrimental flooding that occurred in July. Thankfully, the gallery has since been rebuilt, thanks to generous donations from our supporters. A large selection of NTFPs are on constant display here for passersby and interested customers. In the future, our goal is to also host weekly farmers markets here to sell produce from our organic farming groups.
Artisans sell products and carry out a weaving demonstration at a Mobile Market at Pulau Datok beach.
In 2021, we continued to support the 4 Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) craft groups, developing their capacity to utilize NTFPs and monitoring their activity and income. In total, the groups sold 3,447 products, earning an income of 38,238,000 rupiah (~$2500). The products created included mats, baskets, bracelets, bags, hats and more. Among the 4 artisan groups, each participating household earns an average of $30-$70 per month from their handicrafts. This is nearly half the average monthly cost of living per household! Some of our lead artisans have become community trainers, where they earn up to $200 monthly through 2-3 activities, thus enabling households to financially sustain themselves on Non-Timber Forest Products. Marketing of NTFPs was carried out both online and in-person. Online, artisans marketed their products through a new website, on Facebook, and via WhatsApp. Offline, products were sold at the roadside gallery at our Bentangor Center, through a festival hosted by NTFP-EP Indonesia, and at 3 Mobile Markets held at a local beach.
4.5 BUILDING AN NTFP ROADSIDE GALLERY
The new roadside gallery at the Bentangor Environmental Education Center in Pampang Harapan village.
In 2021, we held 8 capacity building workshops for the Non-Timber Forest Product groups. These included 5 administrative/bookkeeping trainings, 2 sewing trainings and 1 quality control training. We also conducted a 2-day comparative study in which 3 bamboo craftsmen from the Peramas Indah group visited the social forestry business group in Gema Village, Simpang Dua District, Ketapang. We held an additional 4 workshops for organic farming groups: 2 workshops on composting, 1 on creating organic pesticides, and 1 on the production of liquid organic fertilizer. A 2-day workshop on general organic farming training was also held at our Bentangor Center. Our trainings are carried out in collaboration with a variety of local agencies, including the Forest Protection Agency; Housing, Settlement and Environment Agency (PERKIMLH); the Agricultural Technology Center (BPTP) of West Kalimantan; Ketapang Marine and Fisheries Training Center; and Kayong Utara Department of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. Traditional weaving skills are usually passed down from generation to generation. However, nowadays, many young people do not learn to make woven crafts from their elder family members, especially woven Pandanus mats. For this reasons, we began the "Goes to School" program, where Sustainable Livelihoods group members teach skills to children through a series of workshops. In 2021, NTFP artisans held 2 workshops for a group of 20 elementary school students to learn about and practice the weaving of tikar mats.
4.4 CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOPS
4.3 NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCT ARTISAN GROUPS
4.2 AQUACULTURE
Aquaculture, or fish farming, is one of the newest alternative livelihood methods we support. This year we continued to support 2 aquaculture groups, Mina Segua and Meteor Garden. Mina Segua work to cultivate tilapia fish in freshwater ponds, dug directly into the ground. Meteor Garden members use above-ground pools made of bamboo and tarps to fish farm. In 2021, these groups sold a total of 1,358 kg of fish, earning a total of 10,840,000 rupiah (~$700). These groups also suffered losses from the July 2021 flooding, which led to the destruction of ponds and the loss of many fish. The Mina Segua group received generous governmental support in the form of 2,500 tilapia fish to spawn, as well as 150 kg of fish feed.
5.3 ANIMAL PROTECTION CAMPAIGNS & ROADSHOWS
In 2021, we received reports of 15 incidents of human-wildlife interactions, which included 24 orangutans, 2 pangolins, and 1 slow loris. Among the human-orangutan interactions, 4 orangutans were successfully released/translocated to safer areas. In the other instances, the orangutans had already traveled away by the time our team arrived on site to monitor potential conflict. The rise of cases of human-wildlife interactions is caused by the reduction of viable wildlife habitat and the increase of human encroachment. Despite conservation efforts, forests continue to be cleared for large scale agriculture (including oil palm plantations), mining, illegal logging, and forest fires. Often, orangutans living in the outskirts of the National Park will face a reduction of food available to them, due to both seasonal changes and forest destruction, which pushes them towards human communities in search of food. Many of the cases of human-orangutan conflict occur on village farmland, where orangutans search for domesticated crops to eat, destroying the resources of small farming operations. We continue to work with the West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) and the Ketapang-based NGO, International Animal Rescue (IAR) to mitigate conflicts and carry out rescues and translocations. Together, along with the GPNP Bureau (BTN-GP) we also began drafting a Standard Operating Procedure on how to appropriately handle interactions with wild animals, especially orangutans.
Bags of illegally obtained/traded pangolin scales uncovered by our investigations team.
To prevent threats to protected animals, and particularly orangutans, we carried out a series of awareness campaigns, installing billboards in high risk/target areas around the National Park. The team also distributed informational stickers. In 2021, we continued to hold "road shows" in collaboration with the Gunung Palung National Park Bureau, to spread awareness about the National Park, animal protection, and the dangers and consequences of handling wild animals. These road shows were targeted in areas where human-orangutan interactions were most likely to occur, based on 2020 investigations results. This year, road shows were focused in Penjalaan Village, Riam Berasap Jaya Village, and Matan Jaya Village.
187 days in the field
5. ANIMAL PROTECTION & INVESTIGATIONS
5.1 INVESTIGATIONS
In 2021, GPOCP/YP’s Wildlife Crime Investigation team spent 187 days in the field where they identified 8 cases of illegal activity involving 1 flat-headed cat, 1 Bornean yellow muntjac, 2 sambar deer, 3 pangolins, and 1 slow loris. Zero cases of orangutans being kept as pets were uncovered, which we hope is due, in part, to our conservation awareness activities to educate community members about laws protecting orangutans. The team also identified perpetrators of wildlife poaching and trading, one of the most common wildlife targets being the pangolin. The rampant poaching and trading of pangolins is due to the high selling value of pangolin scales, especially to traders in China. Results of investigations in the Ketapang and Kayong Utara regencies identified 19 poachers and 14 buyers of pangolin scales. In one instance, an arrest of a pangolin trader led to a sentence of 1 year in prison and a fine of 10 million rupiah (~$650). We continued our investigation methods using drone and GPS technology to create maps which help us produce visual aids to target illegal land use.
4 orangutans rescued
19 poachers identified
5.2 HUMAN-WILDLIFE INTERACTIONS
8 illegal cases reported
Monitoring, reporting and rescuing illegally held wildlife is one of our oldest programs. Our field investigators track cases of wildlife crime, mainly committed against orangutans, which are being illegally held captive and/or traded on the black market. We also monitor and mitigate wildlife conflicts and illegal hunting. We work with the West Kalimantan Natural Resource Conservation Department (BKSDA), the Ketapang Police Department, and International Animal Rescue (IAR) to report wildlife crime and conduct orangutan rescues/ translocations.
An orangutan that entered a coconut farm in Penjalaan Village destroyed hundreds of crop trees.
GPOCP/YP’s Customary Forest Initiative aims to protect forests by supporting the legal transfer of management rights, under Indonesia’s Hutan Desa program, to communities that have traditionally managed them. Facilitating the creation of local conservation areas around GPNP, that are sustainably used and managed by villagers, is a practical way to reduce encroachment rates into the Park, and conserve habitat for orangutans and other vulnerable species. Our approach involves training local Customary Forest Management Board (LPHD) members in forest management, surveying, and report writing. We also teach participants sustainable business management, provide legal support, and facilitate meetings with forest authorities.
6.1 NEW CUSTOMARY FORESTS
Village officials and GPOCP/YP staff map out plans for a new Hutan Desa (Customary Forest) in Lubuk Batu village.
340 people in 26 Social Forestry Business Groups
LPHD practice data collection during a SMART patrol training (top) and a member collects a GPS waypoint in the field (bottom).
6. HABITAT PROTECTION & CUSTOMARY FORESTS
6.2 CAPACITY BUILDING & TRAINING
123 Management Board members
6.3 SPATIAL MONITORING AND REPORTING TOOL
The first 5 Customary Forests were officially recognized in 2017 and the two newest, Batu Barat and Rantau Panjang, were designated in 2020. In total, we have now helped to protect 7,962 ha of land in a critical buffer zone surrounding GPNP. In 2021, we proposed two additional Customary Forests, in the villages of Lubuk Batu and Matan Jaya, which we hope will be established in the coming year. Once established, these forests will add an additional ~3,700 ha of protected land. This year we began socialization activities in these two villages, to familiarize community members with social forestry regulations, map proposed forest areas, and complete administrative tasks such as forming Management Boards (LPHD) for the certification process.
GPOCP/YP's ultimate goal for our Customary Forest program is to be able to conclude programming in each area, and have forests continue to be responsibly managed and protected independently by skilled community members. Outside of legal support, our approach focuses on capacity building of Customary Forest Management Boards (LPHD), now consisting of 123 members, and Social Forestry Business Groups (KUPS). We also focus on building collaborations with local partners such as the Kalimantan Region of Social Forestry and Environmental Partnership Agency (BPSKL), the West Kalimantan Provincial Forestry Service, the Kayong Utara Agriculture & Food Service, the Kayong Regency Industry & Trade office, and the Kayong Utara District Health Office. In 2021, after receiving firefighting training, LPHD worked with a local fire brigade (Manggala Agni), local police, Indonesian National Armed Forces, and village governments to carry out joint patrols to prevent forest and land fires. This work was especially concentrated in Padu Banjar village. Together, these groups also conducted outreach to the community and installed informational billboards.
In 2021, we provided complete supplies and training to 7 Customary Forest Management Boards (LPHD) on the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART). LPHD learned about data collection, identification of animal and plant species, and reporting of illegal activities such as logging. These patrols, which last 7 days per month, help to prevent and anticipate forest fires, deter illegal activity, establish environmental security patrols, and promote consistent enforcement of the law. After the initial 3-month patrolling period, data were compiled into a report by LPHD and submitted to various local agencies, including the Kayong Utara Forest Management Unit, the Kalimantan Social Forestry Office, and the West Kalimantan Environment and Forestry service. Our goal is to regularly send complete reports of forest activity to the National Park Bureau and our other partners, and share all data within the SMART database.
16,710 seedlings planted
7,962 hectares of protected land
In collaboration with Customary Forest Management Boards and the Animal Protection program, we conduct annual biodiversity surveys in each of the Customary Forests. In 2021, 6 surveys were carried out in Padu Banjar, Pulau Kumbang, Pemangkat, and Nipah Kuning in the Sungai Paduan region, as well as Penjalaan and Rantau Panjang villages in the Sungai Purang region. Surveys occurred over a total of 16 transects. A total of 100 orangutan nests were found (from which we can estimate the total orangutan population), and 80 different species of bird were observed. Data were also taken on the plant species present in each forest, which can tell us about the conservation value of the area, as well as identify orangutan food sources.
6.5 SOCIAL FORESTRY BUSINESS GROUPS
A group of SAGE participants discuss their answers to the assessment questions on day 1 of the workshop (left) and all participants gather for a group photo at the end of the 2-day assessment (right).
6.4 BIODIVERSITY SURVEYS
GPOCP/YP staff tag a tree alongside LPHD during a Customary Forest biodiversity survey.
In early 2021, we were contacted by researchers at the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) who were developing the SAGE (Site-level Assessment of Governance and Equity) methodology for use in protected and conserved areas around the world. The SAGE initiative aims to enable stakeholders to assess the status of governance and equity, plan actions to improve, and monitor progress. The first version of the SAGE methodology was developed in 2019, followed by the first round of piloting in 8 different countries. In August 2020, SAGE version 2 was developed for a second round of field testing. The greater Gunung Palung conservation landscape was part of this piloting, and we conducted the assessment in June 2021. The assessment was run among stakeholders of the Banjar Lestarti Customary Forest, Padu Banjar village (an area spanning 2,883 ha), where GPOCP/YP has worked since 2015. SAGE is carried out directly by the "actors" involved in the conservation landscape, thus participants were split into 5 groups (Padu Banjar LPHD, Provincial and Regency government officials, Padu Banjar village government, non-management community groups, and community business groups) and guided by a local team of trained facilitators. The groups assessed 8 different aspects of governance and equity over the 2-day workshop (respect for rights, respect for actors, participation in decision making, transparency and accountability, mitigation of negative impacts, benefit sharing, achieving objectives, and coordination and collaboration). Each question had 4 potential responses (scored 0, 1, 2 or 3) that represent a range from best practice (3) to practices that have deficiencies/room for improvement (0). The SAGE workshop concluded with participants developing and sharing ideas for actions that can improve conservation governance and equity at this site level. At the end of the workshop, a report was generated and shared among all participants and associated organizations so that they can better understand the current status and support relevant ideas for action.
A community member plants a tree seedling in an area that was previously burned in fires.
There are now a total of 340 households involved in 26 Social Forestry Business Groups (KUPS), which provide an alternative to livelihoods that destroy forests and wildlife. The KUPS are similar in structure to the Sustainable Livelihood artisan groups, but have slightly different rules and regulations due to the legal protection of the forests from which they extract their raw materials. The groups produce organic forest honey, coffee, coconut oil, banana and cassava chips, and crafts from coconut shells, bamboo, rattan, pandanus and nipah palm leaves, and more. Some groups are also now involved in cattle and goat farming. In 2021, 5 KUPS groups received additional governmental assistance to buy livestock, seeds, and seedlings. Each group received 50 million rupiah (~$3,200), and a total of 120 million rupiah (~$7,700) went to purchasing 16,710 seedlings including rubber, jengkol, rambutan, petai, and areca nut. We also helped KUPS to obtain Halal certification from the Indonesian Ulema Council as well as Home Industry Food Certificates, allowing more supporters to purchase their food products. A series of workshops were held on topics including NTFP product development and marketing, beekeeping, business management, food packaging and product development.
6.6 SITE-LEVEL ASSESSMENT OF GOVERNANCE & EQUITY
569 orangutan follows
7.2 STUDENT RESEARCH
Endro Setiawan receives his master's degree in Biology from Universitas National in Jakarta in November 2021.
GPOCP/YP research staff jump for joy at the 2021 Annual Meeting.
7. ORANGUTAN RESEARCH
In 2021, research continued on our study examining whether orangutans’ extremely long juvenile period is a response to their variable environments and long periods with very low food availability. We used exciting new technology and research techniques in concert with ongoing behavioral observations of wild orangutan behavior to answer this question. We used a parallel laser camera to measure growth rates, expanded video analysis and collected fecal samples to examine chewing efficiency and nursing rates. We also analyzed urine and feces to measure energy balance, study digestion, and monitor health and reproductive status. Our findings will illuminate the ways orangutans have adapted to their variable environment, and help determine effective conservation strategies to ensure their long-term survival in Indonesia's rainforests. In 2021, a total of 3,651 hours were spent on 569 follows, observing 104 orangutans, including known and unidentified individuals. The team followed 17 infants, 9 juveniles, 40 adult females, and 38 adult males. We collected 243 fecal samples from 27 individuals and 95 urine samples from 20 wild orangutans at the Cabang Panti Research Station in GPNP. A total of 2,404 trees were measured, 784 of which were tagged for the first time. Ten of these trees were species that we had never seen orangutans eat before.
Scientific research plays a critical role in the conservation of orangutans because it is essential to monitor the population’s size, health, and habitat use in order to understand the viability of wild populations. Gaining an understanding of orangutan reproduction and nutritional requirements will also help us to better protect them. Our project has pioneered the use of non-invasive techniques, using health markers found in urine and feces, to give us insights into the status of wild orangutans.
An infant orangutan looks curious while being observed at Cabang Panti Research Station.
Student researchers participated in projects both at the Cabang Panti Research Station and at Boston University. Seven Indonesian university students conducted field research this year, spending 1-6 months at the research site. In 2021, 1 postdoc, 3 Boston University undergraduates and 5 graduate students were involved in this research through training and thesis research. Two graduate students defended their dissertations and completed their PhDs in May 2021. Ten Indonesian field research assistants, 2 field laboratory assistants and 1 field research manager were also trained on data collection, sample preparation and data analysis methodologies. Student projects included identifying orangutan fecal parasites, studying the gut passage and seed dispersal rates of orangutans via analysis of fecal samples, measuring fiber in orangutan foods, establishing methodologies for orangutan nest survey studies, assessing creatinine levels in urine, analyzing how infants nurse, and recording juvenile feeding behavior. Endro Setiawan, GPNP Bureau Ranger/Cabang Panti Head and long-term collaborator completed his master's thesis thanks to support from GPOCP/YP and others.
2,404 feeding trees measured
7.1 JUVENILE GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT
95 urine samples collected
Photo ©GPOCP/YP
243 fecal samples collected
Dr. Cheryl Knott, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD and undergraduate students gave 9 scientific presentations on orangutan research at 2 conferences. Indonesian student researchers gave 17 presentations at the National Park Bureau. Research Director, Wahyu Susanto, gave 2 presentations at Indonesian univeristies, Universitas Nasional and Universitas Tanjungpura. Three papers were also published in peer reviewed scientific journals.
8. GPOCP/YP IN THE NEWS
Indonesian journalist, Febriana Firdaus (left), interviews field research assistant Sahril Ramadani (center) and Tanjung Gunung Village head, Pak RT Midi (right), for The Atlantic magazine.
To expand our understanding of orangutans in degraded habitat, we have established a new research area known as the Rangkong in selectively logged forest on the outskirts of Gunung Palung National Park. Orangutans are found here even when they are scarce in more pristine habitat. We suspect that they use this area because of the presence of pioneer and invasive species which are common in logged forests and flourish in canopy gaps. These species produce large crops of sugary fruits that orangutans eat. Because this area is used by both humans and orangutans, there is potential for human-orangutan conflict. By understanding how humans and wildlife use this habitat, we can reduce the potential for human- orangutan conflict in a critical region for orangutan conservation. Monitoring of orangutan health in this area also provides information on potential impacts on orangutans from habitat disturbance or human contact. In November 2021, we began construction of a permanent structure at the Rangkong research area to more comfortably house permanent staff. Construction was completed in early 2022.
Artwork by Gabriel Alcala for The Atlantic.
The new camp at the Rangkong includes a main area for sleeping, cooking and sample processing (top) as well as a separate restroom structure (bottom). Not pictured is a third roofed structure to house a generator that powers the camp in the evening.
7.4 PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS
7.3 RANGKONG PROJECT
In April 2021, we were honored to have our project featured in The Atlantic magazine, in an article written by Wudan Yan. The piece highlighted stories from Executive Director Cheryl Knott, Field Research Assistants Sahril Ramadani and Sabta Pelari, and Research Director Wahyu Susanto. The feature focused on the invaluable role which local collaborators play in field research, which is why our project has been able to continue since the onset of the pandemic. Read the full article here.
Leadership Team Dr. Cheryl Knott, Executive Director Edi Rahman, Field Director Wahyu Susanto, Research Director Natalie Robinson, Program Coordinator Beth Barrow, Conservation Research Director Environmental Education & Conservation Awareness Dwi Yandhi Febrianti, Environmental Education Manager Simon Tampubolon, Environmental Education Field Coordinator Petrus Kanisius, Environmental Education Field and Communications Officer Haning Pertiwi, Environmental Education Field Officer Riduwan, Environmental Education Assistant Field Officer Sustainable Livelihoods Ranti Naruri, Sustainable Livelihoods Manager Abdul Samad, Sustainable Livelihoods Field Officer Asbandi, Sustainable Livelihoods Field Officer Salmah Sos, Sustainable Livelihoods Assistant Field Officer Animal & Habitat Protection Edi Rahman, Habitat Protection Manager Erik Sulidra, Wildlife Crime and Investigations Manager Hendri Gunawan, Customary Forest Coordinator Andre Ronaldo, Botanist and Survey Coordinator Sidiq Nurhasan, Animal Protection Investigator Administration Desi Kurniawati, Human Relations and Community Development Manager Suyandi, Operations Coordinator Risya Rejita, Finance and Administrative Officer Rudy Hartono, Office Assistant/Security Guard Mahendra, Office Guard Field Research Ahmad Rizal, Assistant Research Manager Sumihadi, Laboratory Assistant Ishma Fatima, Laboratory Assistant Raden Harissan, Field Assistant Sahril Ramadani, Field Assistant Suharto, Field Assistant Andi Abdul Sabta Pelari, Field Assistant Yogi Saputra, Field Assistant Supianto, Field Assistant Randha, Field Assistant/Phenology Specialist Zakaria, Field Assistant Andika, Field Assistant Herman, Trail Maintenance/Field Assistant Udin, Camp Maintenance Ningsih, Camp Cook Susi, Camp Cook Sudi, Camp Logistics Support/Vegetable Porter Edi, Head Porter
RECOGNIZING OUR DEDICATED STAFF
GPOCP BOARD OF DIRECTORS President: Cheryl Knott, PhD, Executive Director, Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program and Gunung Palung Orangutan Project; Professor, Department of Anthropology, Department of Biology, Boston University Secretary: Andrea Johnson Treasurer: Terri Breeden Board Members: Elizabeth Yaap, PhD, Co-founder, Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program Tim Laman, PhD Noemi Rosa Rebecca Martin YAYASAN PALUNG GOVERNING BOARD Yudo Sudarto, Ketapang Culture and Tourism Bureau Barita O. Manullang, PhD, Orangutan Scientist and Conservationist Darmawan Liswanto, Biodiversity Conservation Lead, USAID SEGAR Sri Suci Utami Atmoko, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Biology, National University, Indonesia Dedy Darnaedi, PhD, Senior Professor, National University, Indonesia Sugardjito, PhD, Director of International Cooperation, National University, Indonesia Dadan Kusnandar, PhD, Professor, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Tanjungpura University ADVISORY COUNCIL Adi Mulia, Ketapang Department of Forestry Yohanes Terang, Laman Satong Village Diah Permata Hildi, National Handicrafts Association - Kayong Utara
Management of Cabang Panti Research Station is conducted by the Gunung Palung National Park Office (BTN-GP) in collaboration with GPOCP/Yayasan Palung. Scientific Research is carried out in conjunction with the Universitas Nasional (UNAS) and Boston University. Special thanks to BTN-GP and RISTEKDIKTI (Ministry of Research and Technology), who support our research in the National Park, and our research sponsors and counterparts at Universitas Nasional and Universitas Tanjungpura.
Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program/Yayasan Palung is extremely grateful for the support of all of our donors and sponsors. Above is a breakdown of new grants and donations recieved in 2021 by our U.S. based 501(c)(3) non-profit. Funds from multi-year grants awarded in 2020 also funded our program activities in 2021.
2021 Financial Summary
Sustainers ($1,000-$5,000) BSCS Science Learning Eleanor Briggs Emsbo-Mattingly Family Fund Jeff Sanderson Joyce Knott Lehigh Valley Zoological Society Lindsay Neidrauer Pang Family Foundation PayPal Giving Fund Tim Laman Patrons ($500 - $999 ) Amazon Smile Andrea Johnson David Taliaferro Jennifer Cavallaro John Harting Network for Good Rebecca Martin Backers ($100 - $499) Anonymous Donors Aaron Girard Aarón Gómez de Segura Arif Zain Brad Gayman Brenda Heermann Carolyn Friedel Charles Ruffner Chris Szczerbowski Claudia Knab-Vispo Cornelis Ferwerda Dan Gavin Daniel Kailly David Bishop David Grund Eliot Girsang Ellen Fern Ernesto Jaramillo Freitas Masse Fund Gabby Salazar George Dusenbury Gisele Knowles Heather Barrett Igal Bucay Jackie Pearson Jane Oremosu John Putty Jonas Bächer Julia Olson Julie Hallet Junia Machado Duarte Marcello Kathleen Gibbons Kathryn Beyer Kevin Currey Kevin Ogorzalek Laura Balales Laura Derks Lee Feldmeier Lindsey Hawkins Lisa Parlin Margarete Hilfinger Marjorie Robinson Mark Leighton Marti Marache Nancy Black Nicholas Ridout Nick Salafsky Nicole Shelledy Noemi Rosa Omeostasi Project Patrick Leonard Pete Guernsey Quintin Tyree Ramon Ferreira Roy Robbins Sacha Lehmann Sari Makki-Phillips Shannonn Ardo Slothgrip LLC Ted Odom Thomas Campbell Giving Fund Thomas Warhol Todd Cohen Tom McGuire Wesley Murphy William Gregg Friends ($50 - $99) Anonymous Donors Alexander Lundin Alexis Mackleworth Andrea Mason Andrew McCullough Arantza Gonzalez Lopez Audrey Santos Bethany Scott Dasha Besaly Debra Dabideen Elizabeth Soria Garry Greenhalgh Jane Gaffey Janet Lane Jeffrey Brown Josipa Alviz Liam Robson Lika Bruk Luis Makiya Lynsey Dickinson Maija Schaefer Marlene Gras Maryanne Dahlen Merve Marcali Patrick McCann Paul Forman Peggy Ford Peter Palmiotto Peyton James Philip Radtke Probably Gajdos Rebecca James Richard & Audrey Bribiescas Robyn Dempsey S Cudlip Sandra Hager Shannon Ambrowiak Shea Low Terri Breeden Vanitha Raman Will Ekselman Partners ($1 - $49) Anonymous Donors Arnau Bonan Barbara Holtz Benjamin Burdette Benjamin Yap Betsy Yaap Bryan Barber Charity on Top Foundation Charlotte Kaiser Christophe Perraudin Christopher Canipe Christopher May Christopher Ryan Christy Johnson Claire Disch Clara O'Reilly Daniel Bark David Schruth Dedy Darnaedi DT Web Marketing Elaine Logothetis Elif Ballik Elizabeth Breckel Elizabeth Carson Erik Johnson Erin O'Neill Francis Short Frank Sterrett Givio Charitable Foundation Hannah Farley Indi Connolly Ingrid Anita Irene Liu James Rios Jarrod Hosnell Jen Leask Joel Stanford John E. Rodríguez Kathleen Colekelly Keith Kisselle Kenton Lefore Kevin Parichan Krista & Kyle Haas Kristin Diehl Kristin Knight Kyle Johnson Laura Brubaker-Wittman LeAnn Dapper Leslie Greene Lisa Sweet Marc Schäfer Margaret Larkin Mary Ford Matthew Norhaugen Michael Ferentinos Michael Hoopingarner Michelle Brown Mrs D M Kemsley Nancy McSwane Natacha Sangalli Nathan Butler Nicolas Pousset Philip Puleo Rich Lutter Rosanna Anderson Sholly Gunter Stephanie Winslow Stephen Kramer Steven Graebner Teemill Tech Ltd Tess Verschuuren Teunis Adriaan Verwijs Todd Soligo Wendy Cundiff
OUR 2021 DONORS & SPONSORS We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to all our donors and sponsors who supported our work in 2021: Arcus Foundation; Boston University; Conservation, Food & Health Foundation; Disney Conservation Fund; Focused on Nature; The Leakey Foundation; National Geographic Society; Orang Utan Republik Foundation; US Fish & Wildlife Service; and Woodland Park Zoo.
Photo ©Tim Laman