We are a grass roots community based conservation program, run by a group of dedicated local people who are passionate about nature and the environment and who want to protect the animals and rain forest where they live. If you are looking for a hands on conservation project where you can monitor wild life, replant the rain forest, help with recycling and up-cycling educational projects to protect the jungle and really make a difference to the communities you will be working with, please come and join us! Please note we are a Citizen Science program, there is no university supervisor on site.
Our aim is to protect and conserve the rare and endangered native fauna and flora that occurs in this important buffer zone and Wildlife Biolink occurring on private lands at Batu Kapal which adjoins the Gunung Leuser NP in North Sumatra. Our project site is located in the jungle, a 15-20 minute motorbike ride or a 50 minute walk from the village of Bukit Lawang.
Working at Batu Kapal Conservation, you will be contributing to the protection the endangered wild Orangutan population and other rare and endangered animals that occur in this critically important national park buffer zone and wildlife corridor occurring on these private landholdings in the area.
We are surrounded by nature and geological formations, with frequent visits from the local population of wild orangutans and sightings of porcupines, slow loris and civet cats. We have resident wild populations of thomas leaf monkeys, silver monkeys, macaques, water monitors, geckos and slow loris in the project area as well as many different species of birds, reptiles, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies and insects.
Sumatra represents the last remaining natural habitat for Orang-utans in Indonesia. the Sumatran Orangutan is now classified as critically endangered.
Forest cover in Sumatra was reduced by 61% from 1985-1997 due to logging, infrastructure development, internal migration, and plantation development. The Sumatran Orang-utan population has decreased by 86% over the past 100 years. The most recent estimate places the figure around 7,300 left in the wild, with steady losses occurring every year.
The base for your volunteering placement is the Batu Kapal Conservation project site, just 20 minutes by motor bike into the jungle from the village of Bukit Lawang, the last settlement before entering the Gunung Leuser National Park. Gunung Leuser has one of the most concentrated population of Orangutan in the Southern hemisphere but deforestation and encroachment of their habitat has destroyed their environment and displaced them from the natural forest.
Batu Kapal Conservation Program activities include- Surveying, mapping and monitoring the wildlife corridor, its habitats, animals with GPS, identify adjacent landholdings and their primary land use and the extant native vegetation.
- Mapping orangutan and primate habitation and food forage areas. To map known orangutan and primate movement pathways with GPS.
- Developing a full species list for fauna and flora. To identify the ecosystem service provided by each subject. With a view to developing a better understanding of what is missing. To establish recovery programmes for threatened and vulnerable species.
- Protect the wildlife corridor by reconnecting the fragmented habitat for orangutans, primates and other animals between the national park and the nature buffer zone occurring on private lands as per the project plan.
Conducting animal and bird monitoring and surveys and developing field guides
- Locating, observing, identifying, monitoring, photographing and GPS recording areas with wild populations of orangutans and other animals and birds in the Batu Kapal conservation project area and at specified GPS points of interest in the program
- Survey, GPS, photograph and collect data of sightings of Orangutan’s Nests and map them on GIS software
- identifying, GPS recording and monitoring orangutans and other primates daily activity pattern, including migration paths and feeding, resting and travelling patterns
- observe, map, monitor, survey, photograph and GPS record the significant flora and fauna in the Batu Kapal conservation project area, including orang-utans, silver monkeys, other animals and birds
- dusk, dawn and night walks by spot light to gps, photograph and record sightings of slow loris, civet cat, leopard cat, sun bear, bats and porcupine
- gps, record and map every significant tree (eg ficus, trembesi and pakam trees) in the area and record when fruiting, as these are important trees for orangutans and other primates and map them on GIS software
- identify individual orangutans to ascertain the population of orangutans living in the Batu Kapal biolink buffer zone, by taking photos of each individual orangutan face and identifying each orangutans unique features, and hence being able to track their range
- Innovative up-cycling plastic waste projects, including reusing single use plastics to make eco bricks, sleeping mats, bags and baskets
- preparing, consolidating and analysing the monitoring data sheets on the excel spreadsheet data base and recording data on the mapping software
- GPS trail mapping, using garmin GPS and updating the mapping software
Conservation Projects
We are looking for volunteers with qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge in a certain area of conservation, ecology or biology and would like to develop or assist with a project, in the following areas
- Orangutan
- Primates
- Other mammals
- Birds
- Reptiles and amphibians
- Butterflies, insects and spiders
- Rainforest flora and fungi
Requirements
- Bachelors degree or higher in a relevant field
- Fluency in the English language, excellent written skills
- Computer skills in word, excel, power point and GIS software
- Ability to work independently or in groups
- Patience, flexibility and good problem solving skills
Additional Responsibilities (desirable)
- Grant writing
- Editing materials
- Developing presentations
Other Skills
We are looking for volunteers that have a passion for wildlife conservation, an ability to work as a team with other volunteers and by yourself, have an upbeat, positive attitude and are committed to achieving the projects goals. Tasks are not particularly physically strenuous, however a fair level of fitness is advised as the climate is hot and humid.
To ensure you have a great volunteering experience with us, please take the opportunity every day to discuss the programmed activities with the program manager, as well as any specific activities you might like to undertake during your stay. If you have any particular concerns or need further advice or support, please discuss this with the volunteer coordinator so it can be addressed and resolved.
Our Respect Jungle Guidelines are designed to help you understand and enjoy your time in the jungle in an environmentally sensitive and respectful way. We follow a strict no contact of wild animal policy. Let's help protect this fragile ecosystem so your children and grandchildren can enjoy this natural wonder for many years to come!
- Feeding wildlife damages their health alters natural behaviours, and exposes them to predators and other dangers. Store food and rubbish securely. Wild animals have adapted over time to the food found in nature. Human food can make animals sick.
- Feeding can also make animals reliant on humans for food, which may lead to aggressive behaviour.
- Keep your food and wastes in a secure container. Plastic bags are not secure, animals can easily rip these open
Observe wildlife from a distance.- Do not follow or approach wild animals. Keep a respectable distance (5 metres) and if the animal shows signs of fear or aggressiveness, back off immediately and give the animal plenty of space to move on.
- Avoid chasing or following wildlife that is attempting to escape.
- Keep watching times to a reasonable length to avoid stressing the animals.
- Move slowly, quietly, and in full view to avoid scaring or stressing animals.
Avoid touching wilds animals.- To minimise the spread of disease to wild animals, familiarisation with humans and for your own safety from injury and bites
- Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, and raising young. Touching nests or young animals may cause their parents to abandon them.
- Report any injured animals to the local land managers. Do not attempt to handle the animal.
Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.All native plants, animals, geological features, historical and cultural remains are protected by law in national parks. Ensure that they remain undisturbed.
Avoid activities with large groupsLarge groups have a greater impact and affect the natural experience for both the groups and other park users
Stay on the track!Tracks are carefully designed to allow people to visit natural environments while minimising the impact on the environment. Staying on track minimises erosion, limits spreading of diseases and weeds, and helps you from getting lost
Dispose of Waste Properly- “Pack it in, Pack it out.” Inspect your campsite and rest areas for rubbish and spilled food.
- Pack and carry out all rubbish and leftover food including organics.
- Do not burn or bury rubbish. Rubbish that is half-burned or buried will attract animals and make a site unattractive to other visitors
- Be careful not to drop rubbish while walking on tracks.
- When available use established toilet facilities.
- In other situations, carry a trowel and deposit solid human waste in catholes dug in topsoil – usually 10-15cm deep and at least 100m from water, camp and tracks. Cover and disguise the hole when finished.
- Pack out all hygiene products in a suitable container.
- Be careful of improper cigarette butt disposal. Take all cigarette butts out with you.
- Plan meals to avoid generating messy, smelly rubbish. It is critical to wildlife that we pack out kitchen waste and leftover food. Don’t count on a fire to dispose of it. Rubbish that is half-burned or buried will attract animals and make a site unattractive to other visitors. Overlooked rubbish is litter, and litter is not only ugly — it can also be deadly to the wildlife.
- Animals scavenging a meal from a tasty smelling morsel can ingest bits of dropped food packaging damaging their digestive system. Plastic six-pack holders and plastic bags kill birds, fish and animals. Fishing lines, lures and nets ensnare, kill, injure and maim wildlife, so be careful not to leave any behind in rivers or streams. Pack in plastic bags to carry your rubbish out (and maybe someone else’s).
- Before moving on from a camp or resting place, search the area for “micro-rubbish” such as bits of food and rubbish, including cigarette butts and organic litter such as fruit peel, egg and nut shells.
