Orangutan Protection, Sumatra, Indonesia

WCI Canada Foundation aims to establish and run an orangutan protection Sumatra mobile team to investigate, document and expose the destruction of orangutan habitat and to undertake rescues of illegally held orangutans. The new project will undertake the following activities:

Investigate and campaign against crimes and abuse of wild animals:

• Destruction of wild animal’s habitat, with a focus on the Leuser ecosystem and Batang Toru.
• Hunting and killing of protected species from both traditional hunting and sport/airgun use
• Illegal trade of protected species and their body parts including primates, wild cats, elephants, rhino and bears
• Illegal possession of protected species including orangutans and wild cats
• Inhumane captive wildlife facilities and abuse with a focus on zoos

Rescue illegally held wild animals and provide assistance to improve conditions of those held legally in captive facilities:

• Investigate illegal possession of animals including orangutans and work with law enforcement where necessary to undertake confiscations. Orangutans to be taken to relevant care centre after rescue.
• Provide assistance to improve the conditions of animals living in captive conditions including zoos and rescue centres.

The planned WCI Canada Foundation project will investigate and expose illegal activities in Sumatra. They will encourage the authorities to take action, supporting them to enforce the law when needed. This will also include confronting any palm oil and paper and pulp companies about their land clearing activities and will assist with jailing people who have committed forest crimes including killing orangutans. Teams will conduct rescues of displaced orangutans in the field and illegally held captive orphaned orangutans.