Orangutan rehabilitation centre
Towards the end of 2010, thanks to support from a generous donor, IAR was able to purchase 24 hectares (60 acres) of land in Ketapang, Western Borneo, not far from our existing emergency rescue centre. Planning permission was granted for a rehabilitation facility that would house up to 100 orangutans at a time and architect's plans were drawn up and approved. The building project was put out to tender in August 2011 and construction of the perimeter fencing and access roads commenced in October.
In February 2012 we signed a contract with the builders to begin work on Build Phase 1. Facilities at the completed centre will include large quarantine pens for new arrivals; a fully-equipped veterinary clinic; an education centre; indoor accommodation and an outdoor play area for babies and infants and spacious forested enclosures where rescued orangutans can develop the natural skills they will need to survive back in the wild.
URGENT APPEAL
We now have everything in place to begin Build Phase 1, however we are still significantly short of funds to get these priority areas (as shown in the illustration above) built, manned, equipped and up and running. So far we've raised just over £121,000, however £149,000 is still needed.
» See a letter from our CEO Alan Knight OBE detailing the remaining costs
International Animal Rescue is the only organisation which has been authorised by the Indonesian government to rescue and rehabilitate orangutans in this area of Borneo. We not only rescue animals in danger but also play an active role in the conservation movement, with long-term strategic goals for the future of orangutans in the region.
The project is an ambitious and costly one but it could save the lives of countless animals in desperate need, as well as contributing to the survival of the species as a whole. At International Animal Rescue we are determined to do all we can to help the orangutans of Western Borneo.
Related items
» Build phase 1: Orangutan rehabilitation centre (Facebook photo album)
» Home sweet home! Building work starts on a new jungle house in Borneo for rescued orangutan Mely and her pals
» Primate diaries blog
» Orangutan Indonesia Conservation Strategies and Action Plan 2007-2017
» Volunteer and help build a future for orangutans