Trail Cam VIDEO at Soraya Station

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endangered species, Forum Konservasi Leuser, Leuser ecosystem, Rare Species Fund, Rudi Putra

Rudi Putra ©Goldman Environmental Prize

RSF helps Forum Konservasi Leuser protect Endangered Species
Donations to RSF’s ongoing program of support to Dr. Rudi Putra and Forum Konservasi Leuser have completely rebuilt the Soraya Station— a research and ranger outpost deep in the remote Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia. We also outfitted a team of Wildlife Protection Rangers, and helped to buy back land from small palm oil farmers— restoring the area to its natural state by cutting down non-native palm oil trees, and replanting native plants. In this way we have been able to reclaim critical habitat, and protect it for the many critically endangered species that call the Leuser Ecosystem home.

One of the many pieces of research equipment funded by RSF are trail cameras. These trail cams enable FKL Rangers to remotely monitor the movement of species through parts of the Leuser Ecosystem. Below are some of the endangered species moving through this restored and protected habitat on a daily basis.

Enjoy the VIDEOS and thank you for your generous support of RSF and Soraya Station!

Conservation Success at Soraya Station

Tags

Doc Antle, Forum Konservasi Leuser, Leonardo DiCaprio, Leuser ecosystem, Rare Species Fund, Rudi Putra

©Rare Species Fund team, Robert Johnson, Moksha Bybee and Doc Antle

Success at Soraya Station
In 2016, international film star, Leonardo DiCaprio gave unprecedented attention to the work of Dr. Rudi Putra’s Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL) at Soraya Station in Sumatra. DiCaprio was making a National Geographic documentary on climate change, and was persuaded to tour the Leuser Ecosystem. The exposure for the conservation work being done in Leuser by Dr. Putra, the FKL Rangers, and the Rare Species Fund (RSF) was priceless.

Dr. Rudi Putra with Leonardo DiCaprio ©haka.or.id

Since 2016, the Rare Species Fund has been assisting Dr. Putra to do the grueling daily work of conservation in the daunting Leuser Ecosystem. RSF contributions to Forum Konservasi Leuser have completely rebuilt the Soraya Station— a research and ranger outpost deep in the Leuser. We also outfitted a team of Wildlife Protection Rangers, and helped to buy back land from small palm oil farmers— restoring the area to its natural state by cutting down non-native palm oil trees, and replanting native plants. In this way we have been able reclaim critical habitat, and protect it for the many critically endangered species that call the Leuser Ecosystem home.

Your funding [RSF] is very important for maintaining our activities in Soraya Station…
 —Dr. Rudi Putra, Forum Konservasi Leuser

Dr. Putra and his team of rangers do heroic work to protect the unique flora and fauna in and around Leuser. Because of the omnipresent threat of poaching, and illegal slash and burn logging, the work is done under extremely dangerous conditions. Wildfire and armed gun-thugs make every day in the bush a journey into the heart of darkness. However, since Soraya Station has become operational again, scientific research has been given a safe haven and base of operations. FKL rangers have begun regular patrols of the area— and as a result, poaching and illegal logging is down by an astonishing 90%! A recent scientific survey and report from Dr. Putra, details the conservation success achieved through the partnership between RSF and FKL.

Partnership— Rare Species Fund and Forum Konservasi Leuser

• RSF provided 100% of the funding to rebuild the Soraya Station Research and Ranger Outpost.
• RSF equips and pays 32 Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL) Rangers.
• RSF provides funding to buy back and restore habitat for endangered tigers, orangutans, elephants, rhinos and bears to be held in trust for Mount Leuser National Park.
• Poaching down 90% since RSF funded FKL Rangers have been deployed.
• Dr. Rudi Putra received the Goldman Prize for work dismantling illegal palm oil plantations.

What is the Leuser Ecosystem?
The Leuser ecosystem is a system of forests situated on the northern side of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Approximately 6 million acres in size, this forest is the only place in the world that is home to tigers, orangutans, rhinos, elephants and bears. Leuser was designated as a national forest by the Indonesian government. National Parks are monitored and patrolled by government employed rangers, but National Forests, while “officially” protected, are largely unmonitored by government officials. The same is true for Leuser. The massive expanses of forest are “by law” protected from hunting and timber cutting, but enforcement is typically lacking.

Leuser Ecosystem Highlights

©Agungdwinurcahya/Wikimedia Commons

• Leuser Ecosystem is over 6 million acres, three times the size of Yellowstone.
• Established by Indonesian Presidential Decree in 1998, the Gunung Leuser National Park (1.5 million acres) was established by Decree of the Ministry of Forestry in 1997.
• Most intact wildlife habitat of high biodiversity and mega fauna in Asia.
• Approximately 120 Sumatran tigers in Leuser – IUCN Red List – Critically Endangered.
• Sumatran rhinos are at the brink of extinction. Approximately 90 in Leuser– IUCN Red List – Critically Endangered.

How RSF Inspires Conservation
Having been featured in popular media such as PBS and National Geographic documentaries, children’s books, music videos and feature films, RSF Animal Ambassadors have attained celebrity status. Their high profile and charisma have inspired millions of Americans to take a greater interest in conserving rare and endangered species in places like the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Without interest generated by the cutting edge, interactive wildlife programs at TIGERS Myrtle Beach Safari, the funding that has contributed to the success of Dr. Putra and FKL would not be possible. Today we can claim victory in the battle waged for critically endangered species in the fragile Leuser Ecosystem— an ongoing battle being fought by Dr. Rudi Putra, the dedicated Wildlife Protection Rangers of Forum Konservasi Leuser, and the Rare Species Fund.

Restoring Habitat at Soraya Station— Sumatra Indonesia

Tags

endangered species, Forum Konservasi Leuser, Leuser ecosystem, Orangutans, Rare Species Fund, Rudi Putra, Sumatra, TIGERS

Dr. Rudi Putra, founder Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL)— Sumatra, Indonesia

RSF and FKL
As you may be aware, the Rare Species Fund is providing funding to Dr. Rudi Putra and his conservation organization the Forum Konservasi Leuser (FKL) to rebuild the Soraya Research and Ranger Station in the Leuser ecosystem of Sumatra— and to equip and pay 24 FKL rangers to stop poaching in the area. Dr. Putra and his team of rangers have done amazing work, under dangerous conditions, with remarkable success— and on a shoestring budget.

The Threat
The Rare Species Fund has been working with the Forum Konservasi Leuser to help conserve vast regions of primary forest. A primary threat to the forest environment is the massive expansion of palm oil plantations into wild territories. The expansion of illegal palm oil trees is a primary reason for loss of habitat for endangered species in Indonesia. Illegal logging provides hard woods for the black market, and these trees are often replaced with planted palm oil trees, which double the profits of those ignoring national park boundaries.

Dr. Rudi Putra leads FKL Rangers into the bush to remove snares from Leuser ecosystem

Leuser Ecosystem
The Leuser ecosystem is a system of forests situated on the northern side of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Approximately 6 million acres in size, this forest is the only place in the world that is home to tigers, orangutans, rhinos and elephants. Leuser was designated as a national forest by the Indonesian government. National Parks are monitored and patrolled by government employed rangers, but National Forests, while “officially” protected, are largely unmonitored by government officials. The same is true for Leuser. The massive expanses of forest are “by law” protected from hunting and timber cutting, but enforcement is typically lacking. Since FKL rangers have begun regular patrols, poaching and illegal logging is down by 90%.

Leuser Ecosystem Highlights:

• Leuser Ecosystem is over 6 million acres, three times the size of Yellowstone.
• Established by Indonesian Presidential Decree in 1998, the core national park (1.5 million acres) was established by Decree of the Ministry of Forestry in 1997.
• Most intact wildlife habitat of high biodiversity and mega fauna in Asia.
• Less than 400 Sumatran Tigers are left in the world, the majority are in Leuser – IUCN Red List – Critically Endangered.
• Sumatra has experienced nearly total forest loss and decimation of wildlife habitat.
• Sumatra fires are the sources of the Southeast Asia Haze pollution causing $100s of millions in economic losses and health issues annually.

Rare Species Fund Sponsorship
RSF has been a primary benefactor donating approximately $120,000US in financial support and equipment to FKL. Now we are proud to help FKL buy land from small palm oil farmers proximate to the National Forest, and restore it to it’s natural state by cutting down non-native palm oil trees and replanting native plants. In this way we can reclaim critical habitat, hectare by hectare, for the many critically endangered species that call the Leuser ecosystem home.

This spring, RSF sent FKL almost $30,000US to fund ranger activities, purchase several hectares around Soraya Station, and to build a new nursery in the front of the station to grow plants and trees for restoration work. Nearby, in the Singkil swamp forest we finished 70 hectares of forest restoration work, cutting down illegal palm oil trees. In Tamiang and Kutacanerestore, FKL rangers cut down hundreds of hectares of illegal palm oil trees, in preparation for restoration.

Fundraiser
This summer RSF will be sponsoring a fundraiser to raise capital for additional land purchase and restoration— in order to recover critical habitat for tigers, orangutans and other critically endangered species. RSF will match fund donations up to $25,000US. We commit to $10,000US no matter how much is raised. However, we would be thrilled if we could send a check for $50,000US to Dr. Putra and the FKL rangers for their diligent work!

Join our mailing list to get involved!

Click here to join the Rare Species Fund email list

Click here to make a tax deductible Donation to this project

The Rare Species Fund team, from left to right, Robert Johnson, Moksha Bybee and Doc Antle — ©Doc Antle

The Problem with Palm Oil: Sustainability

Tags

CSPO, deforestation, industrial farming, Orangutans, Palm Done Right, palm oil plantations, slash and burn, sustainability, WWF

This is Part II of an article I wrote about palm oil in December 2015: Palm Oil: Heart of Darkness — Doc Antle

Old Man of the Forest — ©Doc Antle 2012

A World on Fire
By now many have heard about the devastating effect slash and burn palm oil farming practices have had on the environment and charismatic wildlife in places like Borneo and Sumatra. Industrial farming interests have shown little regard for the flora and fauna of the region as they burn off vast swaths of land in preparation to produce cheap palm oil. Most visible of the suffering are the orangutans that have been driven from their homes by fire, with hundreds of young orangs orphaned when their mothers burned to death. But is this unsustainable model truly the future of palm oil production?

Orangutans at Risk
In 2012, the Rare Species Fund, traveled to Borneo to film a documentary about the life of the incomparable orangutan researcher, Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas—Orangutan Foundation International. During our travels, we visited the orangutan orphanage, seeing hundreds of orphaned babies lamenting the loss of their mothers to fire as a tool used to clear land for palm oil plantations. The trauma these babies were experiencing was heart wrenching. And to realize, that this was once an incomparable eden filled with one of our closest living relatives; there are no words to describe the shock and depth of suffering we witnessed.

Orphaned baby Orangutans at the field station run by Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas — ©Doc Antle 2012

What is Palm Oil?
Palm oil is an edible plant oil which has become a common ingredient in many consumer products. It is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “palm oil is the world’s highest yielding oil crop, with an output 5–10 times greater per [acre] than other leading vegetable oils.” In other words, it’s efficient and cheap to produce. And everything from processed food and vitamins to lotion and lip balm— candy and candles— shampoo and toothpaste, all contain palm oil.

Is Palm Oil the Most Environmentally Responsible Choice?
In a word, yes. Palm Oil is really the only choice. Some may take issue with calling palm oil environmentally responsible, however the facts are indisputable:

1. The world is overpopulated and demand for cheap vegetable oil is at an all-time high and continuing to grow.
2. Palm oil is the world’s highest yielding oil crop, with an output 5–10 times greater per acre than other vegetable oils.
3. Palm oil alternatives with poorer yields require greater acreage and resources to support similar production.

There is no question, palm oil is the best choice for sustainability because it requires less space and fewer resources to produce. It is very ecologically efficient. The sustainability problem is not with palm oil itself, but the slash and burn practices of current production models that have led to so much carnage of the natural world.

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas — ©Doc Antle 2012

Boycotting Palm Oil Could Make the Problem Worse!
Even if boycotting palm oil proved successful (which it has not), it would only drive producers to alternative oils. Since the alternatives would destroy even more land and wildlife,  models of palm oil production that encourage responsibility and sustainability appear to be the answer. One thing is clear, avoiding palm oil or boycotting palm oil, has not worked, nor is it likely to work in the future. Orangutans, tigers and rhinos continue to die every day.

Sustainable Palm Oil Production
The WWF model of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO), as outlined in their report entitled Profitability and Sustainability in Palm Oil Production, requires the certification of industrial farmers for best practices demanded by product producers. Ideally, the certification would ensure that the palm oil used is being grown in the most ecologically responsible way, and that land used to produce palm oil was not converted from land that was of High Conservation Value (HCV). The basis of this model is that product producers hold palm oil producers to a higher standard in the production of oil to be used in their products. The approach is consistent with certifications used in other industries such as seafood and organic farming.

The Palm Done Right model of sustainability combines fair trade principles with a certification process similar to the organic farming movement. It encourages small farmers to get involved with palm oil production by guaranteeing minimum market prices for certified growers, and providing education on best organic farming practices to increase production and yield on a smaller scale.

It remains to be seen whether the WWF or Palm Done Right model for sustainability will  ultimately work to reign in practices currently being used to produce palm oil. But at a minimum, these two sustainability models are moving the conversation forward toward the responsible production of this vital vegetable oil. It is a cold hard fact that the worlds population is increasing, and correspondingly, the demand for vegetable oil is also increasing. There is no evidence that this dynamic will change anytime soon. Since palm oil is the most efficient oil to produce, it will likely be the oil of choice for product producers for years to come. The only hope for orangutans and other creatures of the forest will be for sustainable practices to take hold in this industry before it’s too late.

In Borneo, the deforestation by fire was obscene. We tried to help more than 300 orphaned baby orangutans find refuge. — Doc Antle 2012

The Rare Species Fund team, from left to right, Robert Johnson, Moksha Bybee and Doc Antle — ©Doc Antle 2012

Stop the Horror
Never before has such large scale industrial farming used such destructive slash and burn techniques to provide millions of consumers with everyday household products. Never before has there been such a raging firestorm engulfing high value biologically diverse habitat for critically endangered orangutans, tigers and rhinos. The homes for these charismatic creatures, and thousands of other plant and animal species, are being burned to the ground at a staggering pace. Although there is still hope of sustainably producing palm oil, without people like you taking action to demand sustainability, that hope is but a flicker on the path toward Armageddon. Are we already too late? Take action for Tigers, Orangutans and Rhinos today!

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The Rare Species Fund is working closely with Biologist Rudi Putra to rebuild the Soraya Forest Research Station in Sumatra after it was burned to the ground by criminals. The fate of Sumatran orangutans, tigers and rhinos hang in the balance. The Rare Species Fund just sent Dr. Putra a check for $25,000 to continue his work. You can HELP! — Doc Antle

Palm Oil: Heart of Darkness

Tags

biodiversity, CSPO, deforestation, Doc Antle, endangered species, Indonesia, Orangutans, palm oil production, rain forest, Rare Species Fund

Indonesian Refugees ©Rare Species Fund

The Horror of Palm Oil Production
Fires raging across much of Borneo and Sumatra devour vast amounts of Indonesian rainforest. These fires which are now out of control, are believed to have been set intentionally by companies seeking to clear land for the lucrative production of palm oil crops. Unfortunately, approximately 50% of everyday products used in the west today, contain palm oil.

Habitat for thousands of species, including critically endangered Sumatran tigers, orangutans and rhinos, is engulfed in flames at the rate of about one million acres annually— deforestation on a cataclysmic scale for the purpose of unsustainable palm oil production.

Unless this ecological apocalypse is arrested, the biodiversity of the Indonesian rainforest, and all of the hope for our future that it represents, could be lost in our lifetime.

— a·poc·a·lypse
/əˈpäkəˌlips/
1. the complete final destruction of the world.
2. an event involving destruction or damage on a catastrophic scale.

Hell on Earth — Rainforest Burning ©Getty Images

In 2012, the Rare Species Fund, traveled to Borneo to film a documentary about the life of the incomparable orangutan researcher, Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas —Orangutan Foundation International. During our travels, we visited the orangutan orphanage, seeing hundreds of orphaned babies lamenting the loss of their mothers to fire. The trauma these babies were experiencing was heart wrenching. And to realize, that this was once an incomparable eden filled with one of our closest living relatives; there are no words to describe the shock and depth of suffering we witnessed.

In Borneo, the deforestation by fire was obscene. We tried to help more than 300 orphaned baby orangutans find refuge.” — Doc Antle

What is Palm Oil?
Palm oil is an edible plant oil which has become a common ingredient in many consumer products. It is the most widely consumed vegetable oil on the planet. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), “palm oil is the world’s highest yielding oil crop, with an output 5–10 times greater per [acre] than other leading vegetable oils.” In other words, it’s efficient and cheap to produce. And everything from processed food and vitamins to lotion and lip balm— candy and candles— shampoo and toothpaste, all contain palm oil.

How is Palm Oil Labeled?
Palm oil is not always clearly labeled. Here are some of the more recognizable names: Palm Kernel, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Fruit Oil, Palmate, Palmitate, Palmolein, Glyceryl, Stearate, Stearic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis, Palmitic Acid, Palm Stearine, Palmitoyl Oxostearamide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Kernelate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate, Hyrated Palm Glycerides, Etyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate, Palmityl Alcohol.

Over Halloween, the Rare Species Fund, a non-profit organization, raised awareness of candy products containing palm oil. We issued a PSA to our mailing lists and social media to educate consumers as to the devastating ecological implications of unbridled palm oil production. We also supplied a list of candy that is palm oil free. However, simple boycotts fail to answer this complex conservation problem.

Boycotting Palm Oil Could Make the Problem Worse!
The alternatives to palm oil are other vegetable oils that would decimate even more land to produce. The Rare Species Fund subscribes to the WWF model of Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) as outlined in their report entitled Profitability and Sustainability in Palm Oil Production. In short, we support the certification of best practices demanded by product producers, to ensure that the palm oil they are using is being grown in the most ecologically responsible way, and that land used to produce palm oil was not converted from land that was of High Conservation Value (HCV). In other words, land that contains a high level of biodiversity, or provides habitat for endangered species, cannot be used.

What Can I Do to Help?
Analyze what is in the products that you use. If you find palm oil in your favorite product, contact the manufacturer and ask that they use ONLY Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). Most manufacturers have contact information right on the label. If they are not using CSPO, tell them you will switch to a product that does. Post on their Facebook and twitter pages (most companies have a social media presence these days). Share this article and my blog, Tiger Tales, with your friends and family. Maybe together we can make a difference?

The horror! The horror!”
― Joseph Conrad, Heart of Darkness

Apocalyptic Ecological Disaster of Our Time?
Never before has such large scale industrial farming, using destructive slash and burn techniques, provided millions of consumers with everyday household products. Never before has there been such a raging firestorm engulfing high value biologically diverse habitat for critically endangered orangutans, tigers and rhinos. The homes for these charismatic creatures, and thousands of other plant and animal species, are  being burned to the ground at a staggering pace. Although there is still hope of sustainably producing palm oil, that hope is but a flicker on the path toward Armageddon. Are we already too late? Take action for Tigers, Orangutans and Rhinos today!

Help RSF restore habitat for Iconic Sumatran Species

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