Conference, Workshop & Summit Highlight of Orangutan Caring Week in Sumatra
October 30, 2006- Santa Monica, CA. One of the most significant activities to occur in Sumatra, Indonesia during Orangutan Caring Week will be a conference, workshop and summit (CWS) to address a lack of understanding of the orangutan by local Sumatrans who are in conflict with the species. Only 7,000 animals remain in the increasingly fragmented forests of Aceh and North Sumatra. The expansion of agricultural estates, farms, and other developments has put humans in increased proximity with orangutans, the latter of who has tragically suffered. Additionally, anthropogenic activities (fires, pet trade, logging) have a significant impact on the remaining populations, threatening their future survival.
The CWS will be held at three venues: the resort city of Berastagi, Sei Lepan in the Leuser National Park, and the capital city of Medan, from 14-17 November. The concept for the CWS was initially a joint effort of OUREI and the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP). The main purpose of the CWS is to have the invited Indonesian participants agree to curricula that will be delivered to communities where the orangutan/human conflict has been most severe. Funds awarded to OUREI through the Great Ape Conservation Act (US Fish & Wildlife) will be used to fund the delivery of the curricula following the CWS. The CWS is being funded by the Australian Orangutan Project, The Arcus Foundation, the Orangutan Foundation UK, the Shared Earth Foundation, SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, Save the Species Foundation, the Orangutan Conservancy, and OUREI. Additional funding, in-kind contributions, and event planning and organization are being made by the SOCP, Yayasan Ecosystem Lestari, Sumatran Orangutan Society, Leuser International Foundation, OUREI, CPOI, and Fauna & Flora International.
While the public can register to attend the Conference and Summit, the Workshop is restricted to invited participants only. Anyone interested in following the progress of the CWS can visit the OUREI website (www.orangutanrepublik.org). A special CWS blog section will be active from November 15-17. For more information on the CWS and registration opportunities, contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
