INDONESIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL TO VISIT AUSTRALIA

Australian Orangutan Project Stepping Stone Equity

2009-06-26T09:29:52+09:30

A visit is scheduled on June 30 from Indonesian Director General (DG) of Biodiversity and Conservation, Mr Darori. He is visiting as a guest of Landgate to view progress on the joint Indonesian/Australian FireWatch program. He will also be visiting Perth Zoo and the Sumatran orangutan colony from where ‘Temara’ was sent to be a part of the re-introduction program at Bukit Tigapuluh National Park in 2006. Also visiting Australia at this time will be Mr Didy Wurjanto, Director of the Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry. Mr Didy has been an active and strong local supporter in the region, seeking to prevent any further destruction of the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem. Mr Didy has stated that an immediate expansion of the Bukit Tigapuluh National Park is a must in order to reduce the conflict between humans and wildlife. A number of conflicts have occurred recently between Sumatran Elephants and Tigers due to diminishing habitat. "The only way to prevent more conflict between the animals and humans is by expanding the park," said Didy Wurjanto to the Jakarta Post last week. Attracting worldwide media attention in recent weeks, a proposal by paper giant, Asia Pulp & Paper (APP), to clear forest in the Bukit Tigapuluh Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia stands to severely endanger a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan and Sumatran wildlife habitat. Currently the Australian Orangutan Project is a major supporter of the Sumatran Orangutan Reintroduction Project operating in the Bukit Tigapuluh ecosystem. 100 ex-captive, rehabilitated orangutans have been released into the forest area to date via the project – the only reintroduction site for this critically endangered species. Many other environmental organisations also work in the landscape and several Australian Government and NGOs financially support the landscape including the Australian Orangutan Project, Humane Society International (Australia), Perth Zoo, Auckland Zoo, Australia Zoo and Dreamworld. WWF, Frankfurt Zoological Society and Zoological Society of London are also strong supporters of plans to protect Bukit Tigapuluh and its surrounds. Australians can help now to support this crucial orangutan habitat by signing a petition against the conversion of natural rainforest in Sumatra at http://www.orangutan.org.au brianna@affinitymarketing.com.au

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1128 A visit is scheduled on June 30 from Indonesian Director General (DG) of Biodiversity and Conservation, Mr Darori.

0403904912 Brianna Power Mr Didy Wurjanto, Director of the Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Ministry of Forestry, is available for media interviews on June 29 & 30. For further information or to arrange an interview with Mr Didy Wurjanto or AOP President, Leif Cocks, please contact: Affinity Marketing Ph: 07 5520 7615 Brianna Power Ph: 0403 904 912 / brianna@affinitymarketing.com.au false 0755207615 true INDONESIAN ENVIRONMENT DIRECTOR GENERAL TO VISIT AUSTRALIA

2009-06-29T20:53:15+09:30

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http://www.orangutan.org.au http://www.affinitymarketing.com.au