Conservation programmes in Indonesia

Last year, we looked after around 60 orangutans at the Quarantine and Rehabilitation Centre on Sumatra. Six of the eight impaired orangutans in our care were able to move into their new home at Orangutan Haven and they feel very much at home on their islands. Together with our partners, we implemented various measures to sensitize the local population to reduce human-animal conflicts in affected village communities.

Working in conjunction with our local partners, we use drones, satellite images and ranger patrols to monitor the Leuser Ecosystem – the last habitat of various endangered species of animal such as the Sumatran orangutan, tiger, rhinoceros and elephant.

Instead of driving the animals away with air rifles or injuring them, the inhabitants of a village on the edge of the rainforest are installing zinc panels to protect their valuable durian trees from hungry orangutans.

Ernanda, a YEL employee, and beekeeper Nurlizawati, bottling the freshly harvested Trigona virgin honey. The establishment of the honey cooperatives enables the local villagers to generate additional income. This reduces poaching and illegal encroachment on the local rainforest and makes the inhabitants aware of the needs of wild animals such as the orangutan.

A siamang in the leafy canopy of the Leuser Ecosystem, observed by an employee of the Sikundur research station. Systematically collecting data on the biodiversity of selected rainforest areas and the behaviour of orangutans over many years enables the development of effective strategies for protecting many species at risk of extinction.

Animal keeper Selviana looks after the orangutan cub Brenda in the rehabilitation and .As soon as the youngster is physically and mentally stable enough, she will be integrated into a group of orangutans and can hone her skills in the daily rainforest school in readiness for a future life in the rainforest.

Thurauen Nature Centre

A record number of school classes visited the Centre with a total of 2100 pupils and students. One intern received comprehensive training in environmental education. The team developed the special exhibition ‘Wow, a kingfisher!’, which opened at the end of March 2024. At the same time, the Thurauen adventure trail was redesigned and renovated.

Since 2023, school classes have had the opportunity to spend 24 hours out and about in the Thurauen with the nature centre team.

Berg am Irchel Bird of Prey Sanctuary

We once again achieved our long-term care and survival rate of over 70 %. Due to the dry summer, we took in an exceptionally large number of starving young birds at our centre in July. Thanks to the rapid and generous support from our donors, we were able to save most of them. The team also revised the environmental education programmes for school classes and adapted them to the latest curriculum.

2023 in a nutshell

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