As we are approaching the end of Orangutan Awareness Week we thought it the perfect time to bring you an update from one of our most popular orangutan sanctuaries. The Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project has been a haven for abandoned, injured and orphaned Orangutans for years now and with the help of our project facilitator Kate, we wanted to tell you just how hard the volunteers at the site have been working and what has been recently achieved! Over to you Kate!
What have the volunteers built and achieved whilst at the project site?
The main focus of this last three months has been on making island 1 (the Orangutans are homed on various islands when at the centre to enable them to experience life in the wild as closely as possible) inhabitable for orangutans. The first’s month’s volunteers had the task of clearing the island and digging trenches for new platforms to be built. They also made hammocks to hang on the islands.
The second months volunteers did all the leg work of manually transporting huge quantities of sand, gravel, rocks, and other materials over to the island for the platforms (this was the toughest job so they deserve a medal!)
The group of volunteers who visited the Orangutan Sanctuary in the final of the three months constructed the platform from bottom to top. Now all that is left is for the final layer to be finished, and the next one can be started by the keepers over the next few months from the funds given by the volunteers!
Some volunteers also helped in the aftermath of the forest fires and planted over 300 trees in an area of 4 hectares, helping to start the process of reforestation. We also bought equipment with their donations to help with the firefighting efforts which were taking place at the time.
During their time at Samboja Lestari the volunteer’s donations also went towards renting a digger to create all the moats on the islands. This is important for the dry season so the water in the moats doesn't get too low and the Orangutans don’t pay us a visit at the lodge! It also means that islands 0 and 1 are now able to be used to house Orangutans once they are renovated (which we are in the process of doing now.)
Any other big news from the project site?
What is your most memorable experience from the trip?
It’s hard to pick one highlight because everything we do at the sanctuary is memorable. However, if there is one thing that is most rewarding for me and for most the volunteers it would be when we collect and give nesting material every evening to the Orangutans and watch as each individual creates their own version of a nest. Sometimes it is the smaller things we do that have the biggest impact. It’s hard to say why unless you have seen this behaviour but for me it reminds me every day what an incredible species they are and how they are not so different from us after all.
If Kate's words have inspired you to go out and make a difference with the Orangutans at Samboja then take a look at the project page to find out more. They desperately need your help so make the journey now and aid the Orangutans conservation.
Share this article with your friends and followers by using the social media buttons below.
Wanting to add something to this story or just let us know your thoughts? Just leave your comments below. Please be aware that all comments will be moderated: abusive behaviour or self-promotion will not be allowed.
Has this blog inspired you to volunteer? If so, why not enquire today? Simply fill out an enquiry form, and allow a member of our travel team to assist with your query! Please note that blog comments are not monitored by the travel team, so any questions related to bookings may be missed.
Come face to face with one of the world’s most misunderstood predators whilst aiding great white shark conservation. As a volunteer, not only will you get the incredible opportunity to dive with sharks, but you will also assist the team in raising awareness of the great white as you work alongside tourists and local school children to provide them with knowledge of the local environment and the importance of living in harmony with South Africa’s marine life.
Lauren and James have returned and are ready to relay tales...
Team members Lauren and James, joined colleague Georgia to...
Volunteer Lynne Coe shares her valuable tips on what to...
Thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Borneo...
The Great Projects volunteer coordinators, Matt and Niamh,...
The Great Projects' volunteer coordinators Matt and Niamh...
As the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Project begins once again...
Inge volunteered at the Harnas Wildlife Sanctuary in...