WEDNESDAY July 28, 2010

You aren’t calling!  You’re texting!

Calling is so last year!

TEXT to DONATE $10 to OFI!

So simple!

Text APE to 20222

Receive a return message to text back YES to confirm your donation!

http://www.zazzle.com/texting_to_save_wildlife_sticker-217469397024472749

http://www.zazzle.com/precious_orphan_malcolm_keychain-146273610109470386

MONDAY July 26, 2010

Hey Guys!

How was your weekend!!

Have You Heard??

TEXT MESSAGE

APE

to

20222

and donate $10 to OFI!!!

http://www.zazzle.com/orangutan_foundation/gifts?cg=196563308506259685

Hot Topic:

Banning of Illegal Timber

The Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has classified illegal logging as an “organized crime” which must be stopped.

Social organizations, justice organizations, and environmental development organizations are pushing for Australia to hurry along with the ban of illegal timber imports.

The way for Australia to really take on this ban is to not allow any timber products into the country which are not certified as coming from a sustainable and legal source.

Australia seems to be one o f the countries who is behind on the effort to minimize illegal logging.  In May of 08 the US enforced a ban by amending what is called the Lacey Act and earlier this month the European Parliament issued a ban on ALL illegal timber.

“Dr Mark Zirnsak, spokesperson for the Uniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania, said: “The Australian Government needs to take regulatory action to address illegal logging to send a clear signal that it is committed to the fight against corruption globally and that as a country we do not seek to profit from corruption through the lower prices it delivers to consumers.” “

Each year approximately 452 million worth of illegal timber is imported into Australia.

Not only does illegal logging destroy species’ habitats, but also puts a huge strain on the local communities who work and survive on the legal logging business and who obtain food sources from the forest.

http://www.gmagazine.com.au/news/2143/australian-and-indonesian-groups-call-illegal-timber-ban

FRIDAY July 23, 2010

Guest Blogger!

I bet you’re thinking.. FINALLY!!!  Enough of you already!!!

Mara is a special friend of OFI and visited our Care Center.  Today she shares her experience in

“A Day at the OCCQ”

Take it away Mara!!!

Its 4am and the call of the muezzin heralds the dawn. The day begins early in Pasir Panjang. A bit too early for the rooster, which crows happily around 5am. No need for alarm clocks here!

The household stirs – I hear the “thump thump” of Cooper the dog’s tail against the couch where she has been ensconsed for the night. Its lovely to be part of this family.

I laze in bed for a while, as the children are roused and prepared for school. Then the clink of crockery signals breakfast and my eagerly awaited cup of Indonesian coffee – black and strong.

Its a 5 minute walk across the road to work at the Orangutan Care Centre and Quarantine facility. What a luxury – no traffic jams to contend with. It rained heavily overnight and the leaves are still glinting wet and fresh in the morning sunlight. I ‘walk the plank’ across the waterlogged ground to my Pondok which is already a hive of activity.

Melly and Evi are hosing away the night waste from under the sleeping cages. The orangutans are only momentarily distracted by my greeting, and then they quickly focus on Tika and Gitun who are preparing the morning milk feed. I join in with the distribution of the bottles – baby bottles for the younger ones and 1.5 litre bottles for the bigger ones.

Robert’s lower lip starts to tremble in anticipation and if I don’t get the bottle to him quickly he will throw a tantrum just like a spoilt child. Impatient hands grab as you pass by and plaintiff cries push you to speed up. Finally they all have their bottles and a contented silence falls over the Pondok punctuated by sucking sounds or the occasional splutter as the milk is too greedily swallowed. Then the bottles need to be retrieved, washed and put away, and a record made of how much each orangutan has consumed.

The carers take time for a quick breakfast, while I check on the 2 newest additions – Cri and Douglas – just about a year old. They are too young to be in the sleeping cages and have their own little baskets in the hut where they sleep with 2 carers. They have already had their bottles and are now ready for a nappy(diaper) change. I take them out one by one to have a wash and then we settle down for some fun. They are just able to crawl and have discovered the art of pulling hair and biting – luckily each other and not me …. yet! A bright coloured towel has been strung up like a hammock just a few inches off the ground and Cri and Douglas do battle to gain control of it.

Dr Prima, one of the vets on the permanent staff, arrives at the Pondok on his rounds. We have 2 patients that need attention. Voyce who only arrived at the centre in January this year, came down with a stomach bug and got very dehydrated, so had been kept at the clinic where he was put on a drip and monitored round the clock. Now back at the Pondok he is much better, but still needs his daily medication and monitoring. Dr Prima is happy with his condition.

The other patient is 3 year old Maggie. For some unknown reason a few months previously she had started gnawing the middle finger of her left hand leaving her with a dreadful wound. It has been a battle to stop her from continuing to chew it, so an ingenious harness was made from bicycle tyres, which has successfully kept her finger away from her mouth. Dr Prima has come to check the wound and change the dressing. It takes 2 people to hold Maggie so that the doctor can do his job, and once again he is satisfied with the progress.

We check the sky for signs of rain – just a few white clouds scud across the clear blue expanse. Nothing threatening at this stage, so we get ready for Forest School. Its wellies on and off we go!

I have yet to master the art of carrying 5 young orangutans at once, something which the carers seem to do with ease. Three little cling-ons is my current limit. Luckily its just a short walk to a clearing in the baby forest, where a sheltered play area was built by kind donors a year ago. It provides shelter from the harsh midday sun and sudden rain storms too.

Our charges are off-loaded here and in no time the bigger ones have headed off into the trees – its so wonderful to watch them enjoying their freedom. The little ones take some hesitant steps towards a swinging tyre, but don’t quite want to let go of me yet. Then Cri grabs the climbing rope and she’s off….

The air is hot and thick with the sound of cicadas, rustling leaves and cracking branches. The orangutans are filled with energy – dropping to the ground for a bout of wrestling, before bounding off into the trees again. The carers watch carefully to monitor their progress. Alfred just loves playing in the mud and needs to be encouraged to get up into the trees. These are skills which their mothers would be teaching them in the wild.

I’m amazed at how easily the carers can identify each orangutan even from a distance. I can distinguish those that have a particular feature which differentiates them, but it will take some time for me to get to know each of the 29 in this Pondok.

We move off the platform to sit under the trees a little way away from the shelter. Jambul has had enough and comes to flop down on my lap. He is lying with his face down past my knees and his long spidery fingers have found their way down into my boots. He is intrigued by the rubber texture for a short while and then rolls over and is off again. I go with one of the carers to look for a tree which bears a small dark berry which the orangutans love. The locals call it ‘Kramontin’. We find a little copse of these trees, but have been beaten to it by two of the ‘bigger boys’ – Obby and Ariel. We fill our pockets and head back to the others. They will follow when they have had enough.

All too soon its time to gather everyone up and head back to the Pondok for a feed. Today its papaya, and 2 carers have stayed behind to deseed and prepare it. Hands eagerly grasp the fruit and there is much sucking and smacking of lips. Then its time for a siesta. The morning’s energy gives way to slumber and silence descends. We clean up the ‘fall out’ from lunch and then I head back to the hut to sit with Voyce and the babies. They are rummaging around in their baskets, but as soon as I take them in my arms, they get comfortable and fall asleep. In the wild these little ones would be constantly clinging to their mothers, and my heart is saddened by the fact that they are here at all. I sometimes feel overwhelmed by the tragedy facing orangutans in the wild, but looking down at these trusting little beings I realise that there is no choice – we all have to keep doing what we can for them and the hundreds of others like them, no matter how small or insignificant our contribution may seem.

Not entirely unexpectedly, some heavy rain clouds have gathered and a dry wind starts to blow. I hear the call “ hujan, hujan” (rain, rain) and the girls rush out to rescue the towels which were hanging out to dry. Soon we cannot even hear ourselves think as the rain thunders on the corrugated iron roof, and we wait in the gloom for the storm to abate.

I’ve brought a bag of peanuts in their shells as a little afternoon treat, and make my way around the Pondok handing these out. I’m fascinated by the way in which orangutans use their mouths and lips to crack open the nuts and discard the shells. Hocky however loves to eat the whole thing, shell and all and munches happily through her handful – a good form of roughage I guess. Soon its time for the afternoon milk feed and the whole procedure is repeated. At 4pm, most of the staff depart leaving just the two carers who will spend the night here.

A wonderful sense of calm falls across the Pondok, broken only by the occasional shuffle or cough. The sky and the air has cleared again as darkness descends.  I make the rounds to say goodnight to all the orangutans – some are already in dreamland – perhaps dreaming of a forest with endless tall trees and abundant fruit. As I walk home, splashing through the deep puddles of tea-coloured clear water, I take some comfort in the knowledge that for today, these young orphans at least, are well-cared for and safe from harm.

Mara McCaffery

Orangutan Aid

THURSDAY July 22, 2010

So don’t cha know don’t cha know.

Where’s a comin’ up to go………

The 3rd Annual

Save the Orangutans

5K

Run for Survival

September 26

2010

830 am!

Run your socks off!

(or keep them on please,  peeeyuuuuu!!!)

or walk walk walk.

Around the lovely Lake Balboa.

Stay after and enjoy the park!  Or enjoy the foooood!

Ben n Jerry’s ice cream!  (are you screaming?!?)

Whole Foods Fresh produce!!!!

Starbucks

Jamba Juice

Vitamin Water

Hansens Natural Sodas!

Bagels Bagels Bagels  (From Noah’s !)

Wanna hear what a 3rd year runner has to say??

One of the reasons I like  your event is that it has a warm and friendly feel to it that one doesn’t always see at other events. And it’s well-organized. And it’s for a great cause. And of course, receiving our medals from the orangutan himself can’t be topped anywhere!

Thanks Bill!!

Wait a tic..what orangutan is Bill talkin’ about?

THIS GUY!!!

Join us

TUESDAY July 20, 2010

GUESS WHAT??

Here’s What!!

NOW YOU CAN TEXT TO DONATE TO OFI

TEXT MESSAGE THE WORD:

“Ape”

or

“OFI”

or

“Orangutan”

to the number 20222

and donate $10.00

to US!!

Orangutan Foundation International!

You will receive a return text asking you to confirm your $10 donation by texting back “YES”

WOWZA!!!

We’ve been working on this for months!!  AND HERE IT IS!!

Woo hoo!   How exciting!

Make your mark!! Text text text!!

Help our cause and save the orangutans and their tropical rainforest by text messaging.

Try it out today.

MONDAY July 19, 2010

Hot Topic:

11% of Sebangau National Park is damaged.

In Central Kalimantan this park consists of 45 villages and 568,700-hectares of forest area, of which, 11% is destroyed due to illegal logging and fires.

The Sebangau National Park is one of the largest National parks in Indonesia and has the most species.

Park Patrols are upping their patrolling and now will conduct routine patrols with the police.

Park officials are also implementing a reforestation program with the villagers who reside there by coming together and planting trees.

http://wildsingaporenews.blogspot.com/2010/07/eleven-percent-of-kalimantan-national.html

SUNDAY July 18, 2010

Another update from our lovely Ruth at the Care Center in Borneo!!

Thanks Ruth!

She has some good and bad news to share..

Pan (Princess’s adult son) was brought in the Care Center with a large machete wound on his back.   It is still unknown what happened to him, but after a brief visit yesterday he appears to be recovering although slowly.

The Good News is……. There will be 2 or 3 more orangutans released within the next few days!

WEDNESDAY July 14, 2010

GUESS WHAT??

Here’s What!!

We have word of release of 2 orphans from our Care Center!!!

The one and only Cheakey and another monkey, a longtail Macaque were released into Lamandau Reserve this past weekend by Dr. Birute Galdikas during the OFI Tour Extension! For those who don’t know… if you go on the OFI Borneo Summer Tour you have the option of staying on and seeing a special release.  This happened for this group this past weekend and what an amazing one they got to see!!

Check out the tours here! And start thinking about next summer!

http://www.irenespencertravel.com/borneo.htm

Listen to this:
On Friday the Care Center staff created a duel cage for the two orphans to share during the trip to the release site.  Cheakey had to be sedated because apparently he was getting “cheaky”!  After a long car and klowtok ride they all arived safely at a release/feeding site which is deep and safe within the reserve.
Dr. Birute Galdikas led a scientific prayer for the group before the release.   First released was the smaller longtail Macaque in order to give him time to escape.  Unfortunately, this guy had some plans of his own.  He didn’t leave his cage!  The group tried to bribe him with bananas! Finally he came out.  The group waited and waited, cameras ready, but this guy just did not want to escape into the forest!  Finally Dr. Birute told the staff assistants to open the other part of cage to let Cheakey free.
Everyone backed up and Cheakey secured the area as his own!

Then…the longtail came up and hugged cheaky!  Janie (our on site coordinator) says they kissed!   <3    <3    <3

Janie has been back to check on them and they were both there for the feedings the next day. Hopefully soon they will become comfortable with the area and move further away and disappear into the forest!

This is from our lovely Ruth at the Center!

WOWZA!  Cheakey must like to get cheakey and get what he wants!!

Here are some photos of the Lamandau Reserve, the boat rides that take place, and a lovely photo of Dr. Birute M. Galdikas!

TUESDAY July 13, 2010

GUESS WHAT??

Here’s What!!

GET YOUR OFI STAMPS NOW!

$8.80 OFF  !

CAN YOU SAY DISCOUNT??

Zazzle postage is on sale through midnight tomorrow night only.

SUNDAY July 11, 2010

Hot Topic:

Keep it going against Sinar Mas?

Greenpeace is now urging Walmart to stop purchasing from the Sinar Mas paper unit Asia Pulp & Paper.  In a report titled:

“How Sinar Mas is Pulping the Planet” Greenpeace says that companies are contributing to the massive deforestation and habitat destruction of orangutans and Sumatran tigers by their relationship with Asia Palm & Paper Company.

Sinar Mas is an Asian company which owns businesses including palm plantations to pulp and paper mills to property and a bank.  This is the parent company of Asia Pulp & Paper.

Sinar Mas was found by the Eka Tjipta Widjaja, Indonesia’s 5th richest man, with an estimated wealth of $2.4 billion.

Nestle and Unilever have reported that they have already stopped purchasing from Sinar Mas because of the Greenpeace report on Sinar Mas causing Indonesian Rainforest destruction.

Wal-Mart has been in discussions with Greenpeace, company spokesman Kevin Gardner said in an e-mail. “Wal-Mart does not support deforestation, and as Greenpeace’s report shows, our largest markets do not source product from APP, and in the remaining markets that do, we have taken the steps to stop development on private-brand products with APP and are looking at what measures can be taken regarding branded products.”

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-07/greenpeace-asks-wal-mart-to-stop-sinar-mas-purchases.html