The OuTrop Story
OuTrop was founded in 1999 by two graduate zoologists who were originally introduced to Sabangau and tropical peatlands by Professor Jack Rieley during the 1993-96 University of Nottingham research expeditions. We had earlier identified Sabangau as home to the largest orangutan population in the world and wanted to develop these seasonal expeditions into a full-time research and conservation project. Our initial aims were to raise awareness of the importance of Sabangau and other peat-swamp forests for orangutan and biodiversity conservation, and to encourage sustainable management, protection and restoration of this vital habitat. OuTrop has grown in personnel and scope over the past 12 years but our objectives remain the same.
In 1999 the situation was bleak. Illegal loggers were cutting trees all over Sabangau, a year earlier 10% of the forest had been destroyed by massive fires and the peatland was being drained, hunted and exploited unsustainably. During our 12 years of work here we have surveyed orangutans across this vast landscape, documented rampant illegal logging, supported habitat protection units, fire-fighting teams and hydrology restoration and replanting activities, and brought over 250 research students and volunteers here. We are proud to be a part of the conservation of the Sabangau Forest.
Our long term partners are CIMTROP, led by Dr Suwido Limin at the University of Palangkaraya, who manage the Natural Laboratory of Peat-swamp Forest. This critical area of 50,000 hectares is the site of our research work and is protected by the TSA Patrol Unit – a team made up of concerned and committed people from the local village of Kereng Bangkerai; managed by CIMTROP and funded by OuTrop and our supporters. The TSA stopped illegal logging in 2004, keep the area free of disturbance and have facilitated education, awareness and community support projects. Our research focus has expanded over the years to take on dedicated projects on Bornean southern gibbons, clouded leopards and red leaf monkeys, and we now have a permanent staff of 15 research coordinators and assistants from Kereng Bangkerai, many of whom are now experts in orangutan and gibbon survey techniques and botanical identifications.
The Setia Alam base camp is now recognised as a major centre for peat-swamp biodiversity research, and OuTrop as specialists in peat-swamp forest ecology. Our primary focus is research to support conservation, and therefore our projects include the implementation of a rigorous biodiversity monitoring program for Sabangau in partnership with Sabangau’s conservation management agencies; and undertaking HCVF surveys throughout Central Kalimantan to support REDD and CCBA objectives at the landscape level and local NGO and Adat priorities at the village and community level. We are pleased to be involved in ape research and conservation, including contributing to regional and national Orangutan Action Plans; the 2004 Orang-utan PHVA and the 2008 Indonesian Gibbon Conservation Workshop.
We remain dedicated to helping the people of Central Kalimantan protect their natural heritage and would like to thank all our supporters on their behalf.
In 1999 the situation was bleak. Illegal loggers were cutting trees all over Sabangau, a year earlier 10% of the forest had been destroyed by massive fires and the peatland was being drained, hunted and exploited unsustainably. During our 12 years of work here we have surveyed orangutans across this vast landscape, documented rampant illegal logging, supported habitat protection units, fire-fighting teams and hydrology restoration and replanting activities, and brought over 250 research students and volunteers here. We are proud to be a part of the conservation of the Sabangau Forest.
Our long term partners are CIMTROP, led by Dr Suwido Limin at the University of Palangkaraya, who manage the Natural Laboratory of Peat-swamp Forest. This critical area of 50,000 hectares is the site of our research work and is protected by the TSA Patrol Unit – a team made up of concerned and committed people from the local village of Kereng Bangkerai; managed by CIMTROP and funded by OuTrop and our supporters. The TSA stopped illegal logging in 2004, keep the area free of disturbance and have facilitated education, awareness and community support projects. Our research focus has expanded over the years to take on dedicated projects on Bornean southern gibbons, clouded leopards and red leaf monkeys, and we now have a permanent staff of 15 research coordinators and assistants from Kereng Bangkerai, many of whom are now experts in orangutan and gibbon survey techniques and botanical identifications.
The Setia Alam base camp is now recognised as a major centre for peat-swamp biodiversity research, and OuTrop as specialists in peat-swamp forest ecology. Our primary focus is research to support conservation, and therefore our projects include the implementation of a rigorous biodiversity monitoring program for Sabangau in partnership with Sabangau’s conservation management agencies; and undertaking HCVF surveys throughout Central Kalimantan to support REDD and CCBA objectives at the landscape level and local NGO and Adat priorities at the village and community level. We are pleased to be involved in ape research and conservation, including contributing to regional and national Orangutan Action Plans; the 2004 Orang-utan PHVA and the 2008 Indonesian Gibbon Conservation Workshop.
We remain dedicated to helping the people of Central Kalimantan protect their natural heritage and would like to thank all our supporters on their behalf.
Above are some of the photos taken at camp. Things look very different now, with taller trees and more buildings. The picture to the far left shows Simon and Helen on their first visit to Sabangau with the group from Nottingham University.
