Let us talk about the Orangutan Conservation Program here. Almost 1 million rainforest hectares fall victim to illegal or legal overexploitation every year. As a result, many orangutans are now losing the habitat. The SOCP (Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program) fights to prevent the great apes from dying and protecting their home, tropical rainforest.
Background of the Orangutan Conservation Program
When it comes to background, the orangutans are sufferers of rapid desertification of rainforest. Their habitation is being empty to create timber and for new plantations. Now, Indonesia is the main palm oil maker around the globe. We cannot think about today’s trade without good and versatile vegetable fat. Every one in two good contains palm oil. However, nature pays a substantial amount for it.
In most situations, it is beneficial for tropical forests that are the sufferers of palm oil plantations. It means that in addition to the orangutans, numerous other species lose the source of their living. Besides, the slash-and-burn cultivation and drainage of swamp forests release a significant amount of greenhouse gases, and the sprayed chemicals contaminate the soil. Usually, there are fights for land use rights where there is a new plantation.
A main reason behind the endangered orangutans includes the trade of their babies. They appear as a status symbol. The moms are shot dead to get to young animals. In many situations, young orangutans die while falling from the tree. If a kid survives the fall, they will usually die in captivity due to the stress resulted from the distressing experience.
Measures
Restoration to the wild of captured orangutans:
The orangutans kept illicitly as pets or the endangered species are given medical care in the nursing station and SOCP rescue. After that, the orangutan is taken to the reintroduction station. Thus, they are set to spend their lives in the natural environment before release.
Monitoring and Research:
Research offers the foundation for returning orangutans to the wild and securing their home. In the four research stations, the SOCP takes good care of long-term research plans. It is because witnessing orangutans in the wild over many years is just a way to see what is required to secure them.
Conservation and Protection of their Habitat:
The SOCP supports the increase of conservation regions and enhancement of protection in already present conservation zones. The team at SOCP runs information activities and campaigns to secure the orangutans and their habitation. The program supports the cultivation of palm oil.
Accomplishments
Till now, almost 403 orangutans’ species are taken to the nursing and rescue station and provided with treatment there.
In Jantho and Jambi, about 303 orangutans’ species have been reintroduced successfully to the wild.
The cooperation between the local authorities and SOCP had resulted in substantial improvement in law execution. The rules can impound many illegally held species than before.
The foundation of a new Sumatran population of orangutans is in Central Sumatra, Bukit Tigapuluh National Park, where orangutans had died. Because of it, the chances of existence for the species are significantly increased.
In 2014, after SOCP lobbying, the government made its mind to announce Batang Toru as a protective forest. It means that the local species population that is quite different from the northern population is given lasting protection.
Funding
The SOCP, Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program, is a mutual PanEco program, its joint foundation YEL on Sumatra, and the Indonesian Nature Conservation Authority. The donations fund the program from private people and other fundamentals.
For more content, visit orangutan-world.com.
Also recommended: Head of Orangutan Conservation Program Honored by Queen Elizabeth II
