wahyuni

March 11, 2019

THREATENING ORANGUTAN, PALM OIL COMPANY, PT. GPM REPORTED TO KPK

Centre for Orangutan Protection urged the Corruption Eradication Commission to examine allegations of corruption in permit granting process related to the oil palm plantation business of PT. GPM in Berau district, East Kalimantan. PT. GPM is a subsidiary of PS Group which has a long track record in endangering the Borneo Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) and its habitat. Threat on orangutans is a clear evidence that there is something wrong with granting licenses, both technically and administratively, that involve all parties, the local government, companies and environmental consultants. COP also submitted a report on a case that had occurred previously at PT. AE, another PS Group subsidiary operating in East Kutai as supporting material for the investigation.

The concession area of PT. GPM is an area that has High Conservation Value, an important habitat for orangutans. Based on a survey conducted by BOSF, the density of orangutans in the concession area of PT. GPM reaches 2.54 individuals / km2, and there are 234 tree species (38% of orangutan tree species). When conducting a field check the Centre for Orangutan Protection team found orangutan along with her baby were in the location being cleared. The East Kalimantan BKSDA with the assistance of the COP has twice transferred adult male orangutans begging for food on the road side in the concession area of PT. GPM. It is estimated that these orangutans are very hungry and forested areas that are the source of food have been cleared. Besides those begging orangutans, COP also found female orangutans and their children in the same area.

The Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) is one of the most protected wildlife species in Indonesia under Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biodiversity and its Ecosystem. The population continues to decline due to deforestation for palm oil plantations. The Centre for Orangutan Protection greatly appreciates KPK in arresting the local government heads that involved in corruption related to granting permits of forest and land-based business in Kalimantan. The PS Group’s case is expected to be one of the KPK’s important achievements in preventing state’s greater losses in the forestry sector.

For more information and interviews please contact:
Ramadhani
Campaign Manager
Centre for Orangutan Protection
Mobile: 081349271904
Email: info@orangutanprotection.com

MENGANCAM ORANGUTAN, PERUSAHAAN SAWIT PT.GPM DILAPORKAN KE KPK
Centre for Orangutan Protection meminta Komisi Pemberantasan Korupsi untuk memeriksa dugaan korupsi dalam proses pemberian ijin – ijin yang berkaitan dengan usaha perkebunan kelapa sawit PT. GPM di kabupaten Berau, Kalimantan Timur. PT. GPM merupakan anak perusahaan PS Group yang memiliki rekam jejak panjang dalam membahayakan Orangutan Kalimantan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) dan habitatnya. Terancamnya orangutan merupakan bukti yang jelas dan terang bahwa ada yang keliru dalam pemberian ijin, baik secara teknis maupun administrasi, yangmana ini bisa melibatkan para pihak secara bersama – sama, baik Pemerintah Daerah, perusahaan dan konsultan lingkungan. COP juga menyerahkan laporan atas kasus yang terjadi sebelumnya di PT. AE, anak perusahaan PS Group lainnya yang beroperasi di Kutai Timur sebagai bahan pendukung penyelidikan.

Kawasan konsesi PT. GPM merupakan kawasan yang memiliki Nilai Konservasi Tinggi, habitat penting bagi orangutan. Berdasarkan survei yang dilakukan oleh BOSF, kepadatan orangutan di kawasan konsesi PT. GPM mencapai 2,54 individu/km2, serta terdapat 234 spesies pohon (38% spesies pohon pakan orangutan). Pada saat melakukan cek lapangan tim Centre for Orangutan Protection mendapati 1 (satu) individu orangutan berserta anaknya berada di lokasi yang sedang dilakukan pembabatan. BKSDA Kaltim dengan dibantu COP telah 2 (dua) kali mentranslokasikan orangutan jantan dewasa yang mengemis makanan di tepian jalan raya yang berada di dalam kawasan konsesi PT. GPM. Diperkirakan, orangutan – orangutan tersebut sangat kelaparan dan kawasan berhutan yang menjadi sumber makanan telah dibabat. Selain orangutan – orangutan jantan yang mengemis tersebut, COP juga pernah menemukan orangutan – orangutan betina dan anaknya di kawasan yang sama.

Orangutan Kalimantan (Pongo pygmaeus morio) merupakan salah satu spesies satwa liar yang paling dilindungi di Indonesia berdasarkan Undang – Undang Nomor 5 Tahun 1990 tentang Konservasi Keanekaragaman Hayati dan Ekosistemnya. Populasinya terus merosot dikarenakan pembabatan hutan untuk membuka perkebunan kelapa sawit. Centre for Orangutan Protection sangat mengapresasi kerja – kerja KPK dalam menangkap para Kepala Daerah yang terlibat korupsi dalam pemberian ijin – ijin usaha berbasis lahan dan hutan di Kalimantan. Kasus PS Group ini diharapkan akan menjadi salah satu capaian penting KPK dalam mencegah kerugian negara yang lebih besar di bidang kehutanan.

Untuk informasi lebih lanjut dan wawancara silakan menghubungi:
Ramadhani
Manajer Kampanye
Centre for Orangutan Protection
HP: 081349271904
Email: info@orangutanprotection.com

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March 10, 2019

WILD LITTLE ALOUISE

Unfotunately, this litle orangutan’s life must end up in human hands again. Saturday, March 9, 2019, this male orangutan entered the quarantine cage of the COP Borneo orangutan rehabilitation center, in Berau, East Kalimantan.

Alouise looked scared when approached. His fear was shown by the more aggressive and wild behavior. His small body was not strong enough to fight, finally Alouise bit. His small, sharp teeth landed when he was removed from the transport cage.

Currently, he is adjusting to the enclosure at the COP Borneo clinic. The medical team will immediately evaluate his health both physically and laboratory. “I don’t know the story, especially until Alouise fell into human hands. Maybe the mother has been killed. “, Said veterinarian Flora, watching her.

SI KECIL ALOUISE NAN LIAR
Sayang sekali, orangutan kecil ini harus berakhir di tangan manusia lagi. Sabtu, 9 Maret 2019, orangutan berjenis kelamin jantan ini masuk kandang karantina pusat rehabilitasi orangutan COP Borneo, di Berau, Kalimantan Timur.

Alouise terlihat takut saat didekati. Rasa takutnya ditunjukkannya dengan semakin agresif dan liarnya tingkahnya. Tubuh kecilnya tak cukup kuat untuk melawan, akhirnya Alouise pun mengigit. Giginya yang kecil dan tajam pun mendarat saat dia dikeluarkan dari kandang angkut.

Saat ini, dia sedang menyesuaikan diri dengan kandang yang ada di klinik COP Borneo. Tim medis akan segera mengevaluasi kesehatannya baik secara fisik dan laboratorium. “Entah cerita apalagi hingga Alouise sampai jatuh ke tangan manusia. Mungkin induknya sudah mati terbunuh.”, ujar dokter hewan Flora sambil memperhatikannya.

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March 10, 2019

POPI’S STYLE AND BANANA IN FOREST SCHOOL

The way Popi climbs trees in a forest school class can be distinguished from other orangutans of her age. Quick, then slow down and look back at the animal keeper. “Let’s see when you are as Happi’s age, or six months later. You won’t care about me anymore Pop! ” Shouted Wety Rupiana, the baby sitter who has been taking care of her since birth.

His style this time, yes while eating bananas, her hands and feet were busy holding on branches. Itching in her armpits is unbearable, there may be ants that bite her again. “Only by holding on with one hand she was busy scratching her armpit. Not forgetting to look at me. Ask for help?” Wety thought a little worried.

A month ago Popi chose the wrong food. She thought, weathered wood always contained delicious termites. In fact, the weathered wood she got contained large ants that bit mercilessly. Popi tried to get rid of the ants that bit her. “Well Popi, experience is the best teacher. Don’t be fooled again.”. (EBO)

GAYA POPI DAN PISANG DI SEKOLAH HUTAN
Cara Popi memanjat pohon di kelas sekolah hutan bisa dibedakan dengan orangutan seumurannya. Cepat, kemudian melambat dan tak lupa melihat ke animal keeper. “Lihat saja nanti kalau kamu sudah seumuran Happi, atau enam bulan kedepan. Kamu tidak akan mempedulikan aku lagi ya Pop!”, teriak Wety Rupiana, baby sitter Popi sejak tali pusar Popi mulai mengering.

Gaya nya kali ini, ya sambil manjat makan pisang, tangan dan kakinya sibuk berpegangan. Gatal di ketiaknya tak tertahankan lagi, mungkin ada semut yang mengigitnya lagi. “Hanya dengan berpegangan satu tangan dia pun sibuk menggaruk ketiaknya. Tak lupa sambil melihatku. Minta tolong?”, pikir Wety sedikit kawatir.

Dua bulan yang lalu Popi salah memilih makanannya. Dipikirnya, kayu lapuk selalu berisi rayap yang enak. Nyatanya, kayu lapuk yang dipegangnya berisi semut besar yang menggigit tanpa ampun. Popi pun berusaha membuang semut-semut yang menggigitinya. “Baiklah Popi, guru terbaik adalah pengalaman. Jangan sampai tertipu lagi ya.”.

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March 5, 2019

ORANGUTAN’S LETTER TO MR. PRESIDENT JOKOWI

H. E. Joko Widodo

President of the Republic of Indonesia Istana Merdeka
Jakarta Pusat 10110
Indonesia

Dear President Widodo,
Like you, we care deeply about conservation and creating economic growth opportunities that preserve and sustain the environment. Indonesia’s natural beauty is admired and appreciated around the world. Indonesia hosts one of the highest levels of biodiversity on earth. Already, Indonesia is demonstrating leadership in the international community and at home.
We commend your vision to lead Indonesia into a new era of climate action, pledging to reduce Indonesia’s emissions growth by up to 41 percent below business as usual by 2030, and to help the people and natural heritage of Indonesia by curbing deforestation and rehabilitating 12 million hectares of degraded land. This vision of environmentally responsible growth has the potential to boost Indonesia’s global market access by allowing the country to become a globally recognized source of responsibly sourced products, boosting the economy.
A key element of environmentally responsible growth is sustainable infrastructure. Done right, energy and infrastructure projects have the potential to drive economic growth and help people while channeling development in ways that do not adversely affect the environment.
In that context, we urge you to take a heroic action to protect the newly-discovered Tapanuli orangutan by canceling construction of the proposed Batang Toru dam project. The Batang Toru dam was authorized before the Tapanuli orangutan species (Pongo tapanuliensis) was identified in 2017 by scientists (including Anton Nurcahyo, Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah, Puji Rianti, and Joko Pamungkas from Indonesia). As such, their habitat is globally important, and the conservation of the Tapanuli orangutan has become both an Indonesian and international conservation priority. There are just eight living great ape species, and we know that your actions to protect the Tapanuli orangutan would be long celebrated, a powerful piece of your legacy to Indonesia.
There are other key new pieces of information about the project that merit its reconsideration and cancellation:
• With only an estimated 800 Tapanuli orangutans in existence, this new species is designated as critically endangered. Modeling suggests that if more than one percent of the population is depleted each year – more than 8 individuals – the species will go extinct. 

• The Batang Toru dam will mean extinction for the Tapanuli. This project was conceived and planned more than half a decade before the new species was identified, so it could not have taken into account its impact on the Tapanuli. 

• The project has not taken into account the impact of the hydroelectric dam and supporting infrastructure on the Tapanuli Orangutan in its AMDAL (environmental impact assessment). 

• Indigenous Peoples in North Sumatra say that the project will evict them from their ancestral lands. 

We encourage you to review the dam’s siting and work with the relevant local government agencies to identify alternative options for increasing energy production, such as solar or geothermal. For example, the Sarulla geothermal electricity project that currently provides electricity to the area could be expanded without adversely impacting orangutans.
At the end of the day, it would be a tragedy to drive the extinction of the Tapanuli orangutan for a mere 510 megawatts of energy, less than one percent of Indonesia’s generation capacity – especially when overcapacity is a significant concern and the nearby Sarulla geothermal facility could be expanded, providing clean energy to support the region’s infrastructure and development. There is ample financing available that can help develop this and other clean energy sources as an alternative.
In light of the recent scientific and conservation developments, we beg you to secure a future for one of Indonesia’s natural wonders. Please cancel the dam. Take steps to protect the Tapanuli orangutan and the broader Batang Toru ecosystem for the long term by introducing legislation to recognize its special status and protect the area from all forms of industrial development.
Thank you for your consideration. We would welcome a dialogue on this issue and other opportunities to promote environmentally responsible growth in Indonesia.

Sincerely,
Former U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman (Mighty Earth, Chairman)
Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke
Former U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman Former U.S. Congressman George Miller
The Honorable Zac Goldsmith, MP United Kingdom
Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake, Jr. (Board Co-Chair, US-Indonesia Society) Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume
Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky
Alison Sudol, Actress, Singer/Songwriter and IUCN Goodwill Ambassador
Panut Hadisiswoyo – Orangutan Information Center
Hardi Baktiantoro, Center for Orangutan Protection
Franky Samperante, PUSAKA
Farwiza Farhan, Yayasan HAkA
Kusnadi Oldani, FOKUS [Forum Orangutan Sumatra]
Teguh Surya, Madani
Karlo Lumban Raja, Sawit Watch
Helen Buckland, Sumatran Orangutan Society
Dr. Ian Redmond, Chairman of Ape Alliance
“Marc Ancrenaz, Dr. med. vet. (PhD). HUTAN – Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation Programme Scientific Director”
Leif Cocks, President – The Orangutan Project
Michelle Desilets, Orangutan Land Trust
Irena Wettstein, PanEco Foundation
Dr Ian Singleton, Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme Erik Meijaard, Adjunct Professor, University of Queensland Upreshpal Singh, Friends of the Orangutans
Dr. William Laurance (scientist, conservationist, and founder of ALERT)
Russell A. Mittermeier, Ph.D., IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group Chair and Global Wildlife Conservation Chief Conservation Officer
Dirck Byler, IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, Chair
Rebecca Kormos, Ph.D., IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, Deputy Vice-Chair Serge Wich, Ph.D., IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, Vice-Chair
Karen B. Strier, President, International Primatological Society
Bill McKibben, Founder, 350.org
Anja Lillegraven, Rainforest Foundation Norway
James Askew, Research Fellow at Carnegie Institution for Science
Michael Brune, Sierra Club
Fatah Sadaoui and Rebecca Falcon, SumofUs
Iain Keith, Avaaz.org

Kepada Yang Terhormat:
Bapak Ir. Joko Widodo
Presiden Republik of Indonesia
Istana Merdeka
Jakarta Pusat 10110
Indonesia

Bapak Presiden yang Terhormat,

Seperti Anda, kami sangat peduli akan konservasi dan menciptakan peluang pertumbuhan ekonomi yang pada saat yang sama melestarikan dan menjaga kelestarian lingkungan. Keindahan alam Indonesia dikagumi dan dihargai di seluruh dunia. Indonesia memiliki salah satu tingkat keanekaragaman hayati tertinggi di dunia. Indonesia saat ini telah menunjukkan kepemimpinannya dalam komunitas internasional dan di dalam negri.

Kami menghargai visi Anda dalam memimpin Indonesia menuju era baru aksi iklim, janji Anda untuk mengurangi kenaikan emisi Indonesia hingga 41 persen di bawah kondisi yang sama pada tahun 2030, dan membantu masyarakat dan warisan alam Indonesia dengan mengurangi deforestasi dan merehabilitasi 12 juta hektar lahan kritis. Visi pertumbuhan yang bertanggung jawab terhadap lingkungan ini berpotensi meningkatkan akses pasar global Indonesia dan membuka kesempatan bagi Indonesia menjadi penghasil barang yang diproduksi secara bertanggung jawab dan diakui secara global, serta meningkatkan perekonomian.
 
Elemen kunci dari pertumbuhan yang bertanggung jawab terhadap lingkungan adalah infrastruktur yang berkelanjutan. Bila dilakukan dengan benar, proyek-proyek energi dan infrastruktur berpotensi mendorong pertumbuhan ekonomi dan membantu masyarakat serta menyalurkan pembangunan menuju cara yang tidak berdampak buruk terhadap lingkungan.
 
Dalam konteks itu, kami mendesak Anda untuk mengambil tindakan heroik untuk melindungi spesies orangutan Tapanuli yang baru ditemukan dengan membatalkan usulan pembangunan proyek bendungan Batang Toru. Pembangunan bendungan Batang Toru disetujui sebelum spesies orangutan Tapanuli (Pongo tapanuliensis) diidentifikasi pada tahun 2017 oleh para ilmuwan (termasuk Anton Nurcahyo, Dyah Perwitasari-Farajallah, Puji Rianti, dan Joko Pamungkas dari Indonesia). Dengan demikian, habitat mereka penting secara global, dan konservasi orangutan Tapanuli telah menjadi prioritas konservasi Indonesia dan internasional. Di dunia, hanya hidup delapan spesies kera besar, dan kami tahu bahwa tindakan Anda melindungi orangutan Tapanuli dirayakan untuk waktu yang lama, dan merupakan warisan Anda yang kuat untuk Indonesia.

Ada beberapa informasi kunci baru lain yang dapat dipertimbangkan untuk pembatalan atau pengkajian ulang proyek ini:

• Karena diperkirakan adanya hanya 800 orangutan Tapanuli, spesies baru ini ditetapkan sebagai sangat terancam punah. Pemodelan menunjukkan bahwa jika lebih dari satu persen populasi ini, atau lebih dari 8 individu, hilang setiap tahun maka spesies ini akan punah.
• Bendungan Batang Toru akan mengakibatkan kepunahan untuk spesies Tapanuli. Proyek ini disusun dan direncanakan lebih dari setengah dekade sebelum spesies baru diidentifikasi, sehingga tidak dapat memperhitungkan dampaknya pada spesies Tapanuli.
• Proyek ini tidak memperhitungkan dampak bendungan listrik tenaga air dan infrastruktur pendukungnya terhadap Orangutan Tapanuli dalam AMDAL (analisis mengenai dampak lingkungan).
• Masyarakat adat Sumatera Utara mengatakan bahwa proyek ini akan mengusir mereka dari tanah leluhurnya.

Kami mendorong Anda untuk meninjau lokasi bendungan dan bekerja dengan lembaga pemerintah daerah terkait untuk mengidentifikasi opsi alternatif untuk meningkatkan produksi energi, misalnya dengan tenaga surya atau panas bumi. Misalnya, proyek listrik panas bumi Sarulla yang saat ini menyediakan listrik ke daerah itu dapat diperluas tanpa berdampak buruk pada orangutan.

Pada akhirnya, akan menjadi tragedi bila kepunahan orangutan Tapanuli terjadi hanya karena pembangkit listrik 510 megawatt, atau kurang dari satu persen kapasitas pembangkitan Indonesia. Terlebih lagi bila kelebihan kapasitas merupakan masalah yang signifikan dan fasilitas panas bumi Sarulla terdekat dapat diperluas dan menyediakan energi bersih untuk mendukung infrastruktur dan pembangunan kawasan. Ada banyak pembiayaan yang tersedia yang dapat membantu mengembangkannya dan sumber energi bersih lainnya sebagai alternatif.

Mengingat perkembangan ilmiah dan konservasi belakangan ini, kami mohon Anda menjaga masa depan salah satu keajaiban alam Indonesia. Tolong batalkan pembangunan bendungan ini. Ambil langkah-langkah untuk melindungi orangutan Tapanuli dan lebih luas lagi ekosistem Batang Toru untuk jangka panjang dengan mengeluarkan undang-undang untuk mengakui status khusus dan melindungi daerah tersebut dari semua bentuk pengembangan industri.

Terima kasih atas pertimbangan Anda. Kami akan mengundang dialog mengenai masalah ini dan peluang lain untuk mempromosikan pertumbuhan yang bertanggung jawab untuk lingkungan di Indonesia.

Hormat kami,
Former U.S. Congressman Henry Waxman (Mighty Earth, Chairman)
Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce and U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke
Former U.S. Congressman and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Howard Berman Former U.S. Congressman George Miller
The Honorable Zac Goldsmith, MP United Kingdom
Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake, Jr. (Board Co-Chair, US-Indonesia Society)
Former U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia Cameron Hume
Chelsea Clinton and Marc Mezvinsky
Alison Sudol, Actress, Singer/Songwriter and IUCN Goodwill Ambassador
Panut Hadisiswoyo, Orangutan Information Center
Hardi Baktiantoro, Centre for Orangutan Protection
Franky Samperante, PUSAKA
Farwiza Farhan, Yayasan HAkA
Kusnadi Oldani, FOKUS [Forum Orangutan Sumatra]
Teguh Surya, Madani
Karlo Lumban Raja, Sawit Watch
Helen Buckland, Sumatran Orangutan Society
Dr. Ian Redmond, Chairman of Ape Alliance
“Marc Ancrenaz, Dr. med. vet. (PhD).HUTAN -Kinabatangan Orang-utan Conservation ProgrammeScientific Director”
Leif Cocks, President -The Orangutan Project
Michelle Desilets, Orangutan Land Trust
Irena Wettstein, PanEco Foundation
Dr Ian Singleton, Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme
Erik Meijaard, Adjunct Professor, University of Queensland
Upreshpal Singh, Friends of the Orangutans
Dr. William Laurance (scientist, conservationist, and founder of ALERT)
Russell A. Mittermeier, Ph.D., IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group Chair and Global Wildlife Conservation Chief Conservation Officer
Dirck Byler, IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, Chair
Rebecca Kormos, Ph.D., IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, Deputy Vice-Chair
Serge Wich, Ph.D., IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group, Section on Great Apes, Vice-Chair
Karen B. Strier, President, International Primatological Society
Bill McKibben, Founder, 350.org
Anja Lillegraven, Rainforest Foundation Norway
James Askew, Research Fellow at Carnegie Institution for Science
Michael Brune, Sierra Club
Fatah Sadaoui and Rebecca Falcon, SumofUs
Iain Keith, Avaaz.org

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March 5, 2019

INDONESIAN COALITION URGES GOVERMENT TO SAVE TAPANULI ORANGUTAN, PROTECT “WONDERFUL INDONESIA”

Controversial US$ 1.6 billion dam project backed by China and Dharmawangsa Group threatens extinction of the rare Pongo tapanuliensis orangutan
JAKARTA, 5 March 2019 – The stage is set for a crucial showdown in a long-running battle to save a newly discovered rare species of orangutan from possible extinction at the hands of a planned US$ 1.6 billion hydroelectric dam project. The state administrative court in Medan ruled yesterday in narrow terms that it would not halt the construction of the dam. In the wake of that decision, a coalition of Indonesian organizations and international leaders are calling on the government to cancel the dam project and protect the ecosystem for the long term.
The proposed dam project, being constructed on the Batang Toru River, North Sumatra, by Chinese hydroelectric giant Sinohydro with financing from the Bank of China threatens the newly discovered Tapanuli orangutan species, as well as thousands of local people whose livelihoods will be put a risk.

The Tapanuli orangutan was only identified as a new species in 2017, the seventh great ape species in the world. Despite being newly identified, it is already perilously close to extinction with a population now numbering less than 800 individuals. It is estimated that the population has almost halved since 1985, and that it will continue to decline unless comprehensive protection measures are implemented.

The US$ 1.6 billion hydroelectric power plant, the largest on the island of Sumatra, is scheduled for completion by 2022. However, the dam was planned before the identification of the Tapanuli orangutan – meaning the environmental planning process didn’t consider the risk of extinction to this species.

The ownership of the project, considered part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative, is a maze of overlapping Indonesian and Chinese entities, Chinese finance, and the Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro.

“Chinese investment has the potential to do a lot of good, but this project risks tarring the reputation of the Belt and Road Initiative,” said Panut Hadisiwoyo, Founding Director of the Orangutan Information Centre (OIC). “We hope that the Chinese government will reconsider this project in light of the discovery of the Tapanuli orangutan: can you imagine a foreign-funded project that threatens the Giant Panda with extinction ever being approved?”

One potential beneficiary of the dam is the nearby the Martabe gold mine, which is currently set to expand further into Tapanuli orangutan habitat. The mine is owned by a subsidiary of the giant British conglomerate Jardines Matheson, which has previously been criticized for its palm oil subsidiary’s tens of thousands of acres of deforestation of Sumatran orangutan habitat.

“Jardines has already profited from destroying tens of thousands of acres of Indonesian forests, and now it’s trying to mine gold that would forever be linked to the deaths of Tapanuli orangutans,” said Glenn Hurowitz, CEO Mighty Earth, an organization that has urged Jardines to help protect the Tapanuli. “Nobody wants to buy a gold necklace or wedding ring that is associated with killing an endangered species.”

The Dharma Hydro company, part of the Dharmawangsa Group, is also linked to the project. Dharma Hydro is the largest shareholder in North Sumatra Hydro Energy (NSHE), the company behind the dam project. Paradoxically, even as it helps develop a dam that would inundate habitat of the world’s rarest great ape, the Dharmawangsa Group is marketing a new resort it is developing on the island of Beilitung as an “eco resort.”

Environmental assessments have found that the construction and operation of the dam and power plant will also threaten the livelihoods of thousands of downstream local residents who rely on the river’s ecosystem for their survival for fisheries, agriculture, transport, and daily water needs.

“The Indonesian government spends millions of dollars on advertising to promote our natural treasures through the ‘Wonderful Indonesia’ campaign,” said Hardi Baktiantoro from Center of Orangutan Protection, who also joined the interview. “President Jokowi should protect that investment by focusing on responsible energy and infrastructure projects that can meet our power needs while protecting Indonesia’s wildlife.”

These enormous threats likely would come with few benefits. The dam has among the lowest benefit-to-cost ratios of any planned hydro-energy project in the region. It would operate only during peak times and carries projected cost of over US$1.6 billion. NSHE is also planning to build the dam in an area of intense geological activity, putting the project and surrounding communities at risk of earthquakes with potentially catastrophic consequences.

Reports have documented that there is no pressing need for the energy that would beproduced by the dam and shown that there are viable alternatives for energy production in the region. For example, the nearby 330 MW Sarulla geothermal project produces clean energy and can be upgraded to 1 GW if needed to meet the flexible or peak load power needs the dam is supposedly designed to address – and all without posing a risk to the Tapanuli orangutan.

“Indonesia can meet its infrastructure and energy needs without threatening the Tapanuli orangutan or wasting massive amounts of money on the Batang Toru dam – there are options for geothermal, solar power, or even smaller, less expensive and damaging hydro projects,” said Arrum from Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme. “Ultimately, it is going to be us, the Indonesian people, that will have to pay back this enormous loan in our electricity bills”.

Further information, please contact:
Mighty Earth
Glenn Hurowitz
CEO
glenn@waxmanstrategies.com

Image Dynamics
Ayunda Putri
+62 8122 00 1411 (phone & text) / +62 8977 400 788 (whatsApp)
ayunda.prisdiani@gmail.com

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February 25, 2019

CHILDREN COLORING AND DRAWING COMPETITION FOR INDONESIAN ORANGUTANS

Here it is, young Orangufriends who unknowingly have donated Indonesian orangutans. They participated in the coloring and drawing competition on the last day of the 2018 Art For Orangutan exhibition held by Gigi Nyala with Orangufriends at the Jogja National Museum. Through their interests, they show concern for orangutans. Maximum age for coloring is 7 years old but apparently there was a 2.4 year-old who have participated, Her name was Malika. The registration fee was Rp. 30,003.00, which some of the donations go to orangutans in the rehabilitation center.

Dessy Rachma, who was one of the three judges in the competition, conveyed the lack of abstractive ‘expression skills’ she found in similar events she has been judging, coloring and drawing competition at children level. Because the expression has a subjective judgment, I might like it but not necessarily so to other judges. And in the world of art, expressive works that tend to be abstract must have accountability, at least explaining that red is red and blue is the soul. Thus most scores are usually obtained from the results of the skills or the visible skills on paper. The combination of sad or cheerful color composition is also one of the scoring focus.

After Alfa Gashani, Imam Arifin and Dessy completed assessing and scoring the children work, then the winners of coloring competition category were announced, Tsania Hasna Salsabila (1st Place), Pelangi Widi Prameswari (2nd place) and Syaila Areta G (3rd Places). Winners got cash prizes, certificates and gifts from Gummy Box. 36 children participated in coloring competition, which were dominated by kindergarten children. Meanwhile, the drawing competition category was attended by 24 participants and won by Rayhan Syahrul Bastian (1st Place), Erina Triastuti (2nd Place) and Calista Zahra Diah Pramesty (3rd Place).
Art makes children powerful … (EBO)

LOMBA MEWARNAI DAN MENGGAMBAR ANAK UNTUK ORANGUTAN INDONESIA
Ini dia, orangufriends cilik yang tanpa mereka sadari sudah menyumbang untuk orangutan Indonesia. Mereka adalah yang ikut lomba mewarnai dan menggambar di hari terakhir pameran Art For Orangutan 2018 yang diselenggaran Gigi Nyala bersama Orangufriends di Jogja Nasional Museum. Lewat minatnya, mereka menunjukkan kepeduliannya pada orangutan loh. Usia maksimal untuk mewarnai 7 tahun tapi ternyata ada yang baru berusia 2,4 tahun sudah ikut berpartisipasi, Malika namanya. Karena dari biaya pendaftaran sebesar Rp 30.003,00 sebagian menjadi donasi untuk orangutan yang berada di pusat rehabilitasi.

Dessy Rachma yang menjadi satu di antara tiga juri lomba menyampaikan minimnya ‘skill ekspresi’ yang abstraktif di ajang yang sama sepanjang dia menjadi juri lomba mewarnai dan menggambar tingkat anak-anak. Karena ekspresi itu memiliki sifat penilaian yang subjektif, aku bisa saja suka tapi juri yang lain belum tentu. Dan dalam dunia seni rupa, karya ekspresif yang cenderung abstrak itu harus memiliki pertanggungjawaban, setidaknya menjelaskan merah adalah merah dan biru adalah kalbu. Sehingga skor terbanyak biasanya diperoleh dari hasil olah skill atau keterampilan yang kelihatan di atas kertas. Perpaduan warna yang dimasukkan menjadi komposisi yang sendu atau ceria juga menjadi salah satu fokus penilaian.

Setelah Alfa Gashani, Imam Arifin dan Dessy menyelesaikan penilaian terhadap karya anak-anak yang mengikuti lomba maka diputuskanlah pemenang untuk kategori lomba mewarnai, Tsania Hasna Salsabila (Juara 1), Pelangi Widi Prameswari dan Syaila Areta G (Juara 3). Pemenang mendapatkan hadiah uang tunai, piagam dan bingkisan dari Gummy Box. Peserta mewarnai diikuti 36 anak yang didominasi anak-anak TK. Sementara itu, kategori lomba menggambar diikuti 24 peserta dan dimenangkan oleh Rayhan Syahrul Bastian (Juara 1), Erina Triastuti (Juara 2) dan Calista Zahra Diah Pramesty (Juara 3).

Art make children powerfull…

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February 24, 2019

YES… MARY BISA MASUK SEKOLAH HUTAN

Tiga hari setelah pemeriksaan kesehatan, akhirnya hasil laboratorium kesehatan orangutan Mary keluar. Mary sehat! Mary bisa bergabung di sekolah hutan. Demikian pengumuman drh. Flora Felisitas, dokter hewan pusat rehabilitasi orangutan COP Borneo yang berada di Kalimantan Timur.

“Deg deg an… dan siap-siap mengejar Mary.”, Jhonny memperingatkan rekan-rekannya. Sudah dua kali para pengasuh dibuat kebingungan mengejar-ngejar Mary soalnya. Tapi kali ini, saat pertama kalinya Mary berinteraksi dengan orangutan kecil lainnya… apa yang akan terjadi ya?

Jadwal sekolah hutan pun mulai disusun. Dua minggu pertama saja dulu, nanti kita evaluasi lagi dan selanjutnya jadwal bulanan akan keluar. Kamu penasaran juga kah melihat Mary pertama kali masuk sekolah hutan?

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February 23, 2019

BATALKAN LOMBA BERBURU SATWA LIAR DI PADANG DAN BANDUNG

Jakarta – Belum lepas dari ingatan kita akan kejahatan terhadap satwa liar menggunakan senapan angin, beberapa kota di Indonesia malah mengadakan lomba berburu satwa liar kembali dengan senapan angin. Kegiatan lomba berburu satwa liar digelar di kota Padang Pariaman, Sumatera Barat dan dusun Cikoranji, Bandung, Jawa Barat. Penggiat olahraga berburu memasang sejumlah publikasi perihal acara ini. Ajakan pendaftaran dan sejumlah hadiah ada dalam acara berburu ini.

“Sangat disayangkan kenapa lomba berburu satwa liar dengan senapan angin kembali digelar dan kali ini akan dilakukan di Padang pariaman, Sumatera Barat dan dusun Cikoranji, Bandung, Jawa Barat. Dimana kejadian demi kejadian penyalahgunaan senapan angin terhadap satwa liar di Indonesia smasih sering terjadi dan ini malah membuat acara berburu dengan sejumlah hadiah dengan dalih mengurangi hama tupai tentunya ini sangat miris sekali.”, Hery Susanto, kordinator Anti Wildlife Crime COP.

Peraturan Kapolri No. 8/2012 tentang Pengawasan dan Pengendalian Senjata Api untuk Kepentingan Olahraga. Sudah jelas diatur dimana pistol angin (air Pistol) dan senapan angin (air Rifle) digunakan untuk kepentingan olahraga menembak sasaran atau target. Jadi sudah jelas dalam pengaturan ini tentang penggunaan senapan angin dan bukan untuk berburu bebas seperti agenda lomba berburu yang akan dilakukan di kota Padang Pariaman dan Bandung. Selain itu Kementerian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK) mengeluarkan surat dengan Nomor S.31/PHLHK/PPH/GKM.2/3/2018 tertanggal 16 Maret 2018 perihal Penggunaan Senapan Angin dalam Tindak Pidana Kehutanan. Jadi sudah jelas, Menembak Satwa dengan senapan angin di luar arena menembak adalah melanggar aturan hukum.

“Para panitia dan peserta berburu satwa ini jelas akan melanggar Peraturan Kapolri No 8/2012 dan kami, Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) menolak lomba berburu yang dilakukan di kota Padang Pariaman dan Bandung. Kami memohon pihak Kementrian Lingkungan Hidup dan Kehutanan (KLHK) melakukan tindakan tegas untuk menyetop rencana lomba berburu ini.”, Hery Susanto, kordinator Anti Wildlife Crime COP.

Untuk informasi dan wawancara bisa menghubungi:

Hery Susanto
kordinator Anti Wildlife Crime COP
HP: 081284834363
email: info@orangutanprotection.com

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February 20, 2019

TWO SUN BEARS TAKE A MEDICAL TEST

There are two sun bears at the office of Natural Resources Agency (BKSDA) Berau, East Kalimantan. The APE Defender team has just taken their blood samples for the lab test. The team did not face any difficulties during anesthesia so the sampling process can run quickly.

Barbie, the female sun bear, has been kept illegally for more than five years. She was still a baby when being pet and grown up for five years with humans. It has made Barbie become so tame. After being confiscated from Bulungan resident and limited human contact in the BKSDA enclosure, currently, Barbie is very difficult to be touched.

The same thing happens for the male sun bear from Kayan Mentarang National Park, Tanjung Selor, East Kalimantan. When arriving at BKSDA Berau, Jantan (the bear name) is still wild. “The condition of the small cage seems to make him stressed. The fur around his face falls down. This has happened since the end of December 2018, “said vet Flora.

The condition of the sun bears is quite good. It prompted the APE Defender team to conduct a deeper medical test for the preparation of their release. The number of Kalimantan sun bears continues to decline, as the forest loss continues. Center for Orangutan Protection together with BKSDA Berau hope that the release of these sun bears can maintain the ecosystem balance. “We believe that every individual of wildlife has an important role in nature,” said Reza Kurniawan, coordinator of the APE Guardian team, a team formed to release wildlife back into their habitat.

Help COP through this site https://www.kitabisa.com/orangindo4orangutan for the release process. (IND)

DUA BERUANG MADU JALANI TES MEDIS
Ada dua beruang madu sebagai penghuni kantor BKSDA Seksi 1 Berau, Kalimantan Timur. Tim APE Defender baru saja mengambil contoh darah untuk diperiksa. Tim tidak begitu mengalami kesulitan saat pembiusan sehingga proses pengambilan sample bisa berjalan dengan cepat.

Beruang madu berjenis kelamin betina yang kami sebut Barbie adalah beruang madu yang telah dipelihara warga secara ilegal selama lebih lima tahun. Lamanya masa pemeliharaan ini dan usianya yang waktu itu masih bayi membuat beruang Barbie menjadi jinak. Namun setelah diserahkan dari warga Bulungan dan terbatas bertemu manusia di kandang BKSDA Berau, Barbie semakin sulit untuk didekati.

Begitu pula dengan beruang madu jantan yang berasal dari Taman Nasional Kayan Mentarang, Tanjung Selor, Kalimantan Timur. Saat tiba di BKSDA SKW 1 Berau, Jantan (panggilannya) hingga saat ini masih sangat liar. “Kondisi kandang yang kecil sepertinya membuat dirinya mulai stres, rambut disekitar mukanya rontok. Ini sudah terjadi sejak akhir Desember 2018 yang lalu.”, ujar drh. Flora prihatin.

Kondisi beruang madu cukup baik ini lah yang mendorong tim APE Defender melakukan pemeriksaan lebih dalam, untuk keperluan pelepasliarannya. Jumlah beruang madu Kalimantan terus mengalami penurunan, seiring semakin hilangnya hutan. Centre for Orangutan Protection bersama BKSDA Berau berharap, kembalinya sepasang beruang madu ini ke alam, dapat menjaga keseimbangan alam. “Kami percaya setiap individu satwa liar memiliki peran penting di alam.”, ujar Reza Kurniawan, kordinator tim APE Guardian, tim yang terbentuk untuk melepasliarkan satwa kembali ke habitatnya.

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February 20, 2019

STOP TOURISM HUNTING IN PADANG PARIAMAN!

The Center for Orangutan Protection again calls all Orangufriends wherever you are to stop “Tourism Hunting” in Padang Pariaman, West Sumatra.

Again and again! Hunting events with air rifles aimed at squirrels and other pests (excluding protected animals) will be held at SMK 1 Aur Malintang in Padang Pariaman. The event which is organized by Pariaman Sniper Club in Nagari III Koto Aur Malintang Selatan sub-district IV Koto Aur Malintang offers door prizes in the form of LED TVs, Refrigerators, PCP Rifles and other attractive prizes. With only Rp. 20,000.00 registration fee per person, that includes lunch and 1 door prize coupon.
“COP refused and asked the shooting committee, South Malintang Nagari III Koto Aur, to cancel this event!”, Said Hery Susanto, coordinator of COP Anti Wildlife Crime.

Perbakin Pariaman city did not heed the Perbakin letter number 257 / SEKJEN / PB / III / 2018 for all Perbakin administrators that contain not to shoot animals with air rifles.
Pariaman Club Sniper also plans to violate Head of Police Regulation No. 8/2012 concerning Supervision and Control of Firearms for Sport Interest.

We request that the Director General of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry who has issued letter S.31 / PHLHK / PPH / GKM.2 / 3/2018 to enforce the rules of the National Police above.
Shooting animals with air rifles outside the shooting arena is against the law. (EBO)

BATALKAN BERBURU WISATA DI PADANG PARIAMAN
Centre for Orangutan Protection kembali memanggil seluruh Orangufriends dimana pun kamu berada untuk membatalkan “Berburu Wisata” di Padang Pariaman, Sumatera Barat.

Lagi dan lagi! Acara berburu dengan senapan angin dengan sasaran tupai dan hama lainnya (tidak termasuk hewan yang dilindungi) akan dilaksanakan di SMKN 1 Aur Malintang Padang Pariaman. Acara yang diselenggarakan Club Sniper Pariaman di Nagari III Koto Aur Malintang Selatan kecamatan IV Koto Aur Malintang ini berhadiah doorprize berupa TV LED, Kulkas, Senapan PCP dan hadiah menarik lainnya. Hanya dengan Rp 20.000,00 per orang, itu juga sudah termasuk makan siang dan 1 kupon doorprize.

“COP menolak dan meminta panitia pelaksana tembak tupai wisata Nagari III Koto Aur Malintang Selatan untuk membatalkan acara ini!”, tegas Hery Susanto, kordinator Anti Wildlife Crime COP.

Perbakin kota Pariaman tidak mengindahkan surat edaran Perbakin nomer 257/SEKJEN/PB/III/2018 untuk seluruh Pengurus Perbakin yang berisi untuk tidak menembak satwa dengan senapan angin.

Club Sniper Pariaman juga berencana melanggar Peraturan Kapolri No 8/2012 tentang Pengawasan dan Pengendalian Senjata Api untuk Kepentingan Olahraga.

Kami memohon Dirjen Gakkum KLHK tidak lupa telah mengeluarkan surat S.31/PHLHK/PPH/GKM.2/3/2018 untuk menegakkan aturan Kapolri di atas.

Menembak satwa dengan senapan angin di luar arena menembak adalah melanggar aturan hukum.

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