Overview
Established in 1971 by Dr. Biruté Galdikas and Rod Brindamour, Camp Leakey in the Tanjung Puting National Park in Central Kalimantan is the oldest orangutan Research and Conservation Center in the world. The name was taken to honor paleo-anthropologist Louis Leakey, mentor and inspiration to Dr. Biruté Galdikas. Louis Leakey also supported Diane Fossey in the research and protection of the gorillas in Africa and Dr. Jane Goodall in chimapanzees.
Originally consisting of only two simple huts and meant as Research Center for the great ape in Borneo, Camp Leakey has grown through the years and expanded to include conservation and rehabitlitation efforts to save the endangered orangutans and release captured primates back into the wild. The Orangutan Foundation International organization is now also active in the conservation of rainforests to protect the habitat of the apes.
OFI also organizes special eco-tours led personally by Dr. Biruté Galdikas (click here for details: To do)
It is through the publication of research in Camp Leakey that the world has come to know about the orangutans. Until today, the organization remains active in supporting research by various universities in Indonesia and the United States, not only on the orangutan but also on the tropical environment that supports the primates
Because of her unfailing devotion to the preservation of the orangutan, Dr. Galdikas is the most respected authority on these primates. Dr.Galdikas has received countless awards, including the Kalpataru Award from the Government of Indonesia, the highest award handed to pioneers in the preservation of Indonesia’s nature and environment. She also received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement, Gold Medal for Conservation, Chester Zoological Society (UK), PETA Humanitarian Award, United Nations Global 500 Award, and many more prestigious recognitions.
About the Borneo Orang Utan
Although originally said to inhabit many parts of Asia, the Borneo orangutans are today found only on the island of Borneo, and especially in the Indonesian part called Kalimantan.
The Borneo orangutans (pongo pygmaeus) today have their habitat in North West Borneo, namely in Malaysian Sarawak and the north of West Kalimantan, in Central Kalimantan and in the north east, in East Kalimantan and Malaysian Sabah.
These large apes are found to be highly intelligent and follow a cultural pattern. The Borneo species, however, are more solitary compared to their Sumatran counterparts. Orangutans are said to share 97% DNA with humans. In the wild they live to around 45 years, but in captivity they can age to 60 years. Males can grow to 100 kg and to 1.4 meters tall, while females can weigh to 50 kg, to a height of 1.2 meters.
Borneo orangutans feed on fruits, including figs and durians, leaves, bird eggs, honey and insects.
Although Borneo has the largest population of orangutans, yet today the species is threatened through rapidly shrinking habitat pushed back by forest fires and expanding human settlement, expanding palm-oil plantations, mining as well as being hunted to be sold as pets.
Indonesia has two species of Orangutans, namely the Borneo orangutan and the Sumatran orangutan. The Borneo orangutans are larger than their Sumatran cousins. They have rounder faces and male adults develop wide cheek fanges as they grow older. Unlike the Sumatran orangutans that live primarily in trees and rarely walk along the jungle floor, the Borneo species are often found walking on the ground on all fours using their palms or fists.
For more detailed information, please click:http://www.orangutan.org/our-projects/research/camp-leakey
Get There
The nearest airport to Tanjung Puting National Park is the Iskandar Airport at Pangkalan Bun, west ofPalangkaraya, capital of Central Kalimantan. A number of airlines fly to Pangkalan Bun including Trigana Air, and Kalstar Aviation.
The journey to Camp Leakey from Pangkalan Bun can take three days by small wooden boat liveaboards called klotok passing rivers and mangrove swamps
There are a number of hotels at Pangkalan Bun. See Find Hotel atPangkalan Bun.
A number of Travel agents offer adventure and eco-tours toTanjung Puting National Park,among which are:
ADVENTURE INDONESIA - Borneo
Mr. Yatno
Jl. H.M. Idris, RT 06 no. 477
Kumai Hulu - Pangkalanbun - Central Kalimantan
ADVENTURE INDONESIA -Jakarta
Wisma 31 Building, 3rd Floor,
Kemang Raya Street No.31
Jakarta 12730, Indonesia
Phone: 62-21-718-2250 or 62-21-718-2256
Fax: 62-21-718-0438
E-mail: advindo@cbn.net.id
ADVENTURE INDONESIA - Bali
Ruko Wana Segara No. 12A
Jl. Wana Segara, Kuta - BALI
Phone: 62-361-750971, 750964;
Fax: 62-361-750964
E-mail: bali@adventureindonesia.com
ADVENTURE INDONESIA - Papua
Jl. Trikora No.2, PO Box. 152
Wamena 99511 - Irian Jaya Papua
To Do
Orangutan Eco Tours
Journey into the Borneo Rainforest with Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas
Departures 2012:
Departures 2012:
June 25, 2012 – SOLD OUT
July 1,2012 – SOLD OUT
July 9, 2012 –SOLD OUT
July 1,2012 – SOLD OUT
July 9, 2012 –SOLD OUT
New Departures 2013
January 13
January 21
January 13
January 21
OFI Seven-Day Borneo Tour
Orangutan Foundation International began its formal tour program in 2004. It was a tremendous success due to Dr. Galdikas’ participation and the planning done by our travel agent and travel company. This once-in-a-life-time adventure to Borneo will give you an opportunity to see orangutans in their natural environment with no barriers separating you from them. The orangutans will touch your heart, making this an experience you will never forget.
Tour Leader, Dr. Birute Mary Galdikas
In 1971, Biruté Mary Galdikas arrived in one of the world’s last wild places, Tanjung Puting Reserve in Borneo. There were no telephones, roads, electricity, television, or regular mail service. The reserve was being logged and the laws protecting wildlife were not enforced. The rhinoceros had already been hunted into extinction in the area. At this time, very little was known about orangutans in the wild.
Despite these conditions and a number of people that said it could not be done, Dr. Galdikas developed the first comprehensive study of the wild orangutan. Through this work, Dr. Galidkas created Camp Leakey, the site of the longest continuous study on any primate. She has also protected one of last havens for orangutans in Borneo despite the tremendous pressures from illegal logging and mining interests.
During this trip, you will visit the sites of Dr. Galdikas’ work including her famous research site at Camp Leakey and the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine Facility, which houses over 330 orangutan orphans. Dr. Galdikas will share with you her expertise in the areas of primatology, anthropology, and conservation. As the world’s leading expert in orangutan behavior, you will come away with insights into one of human’s closest living relatives. You will also spend time along riverways and walking through the forest in search of some of the most amazing wildlife on the planet including proboscis monkeys, barking deer, rhinoceros hornbills, and Bornean wild pigs.
- Price of tour is $4495.00 per person based on two people sharing
- $825.00 single supplement
- Includes internal airfare (international airfare and mandatory travel insurance is extra)
0 comments:
Post a Comment