forest fires in Borneo

Emergency Appeal – “Forest fires are breaking out in the Sabangau forests in Central Kalimantan jeopardising the lives of the estimated 8,000 wild orangutans living there.  Please dontate now!

The burning season has started with a vengeance and as you read this appeal vast swathes of pristine orangutan habitat are under threat. The land is firmly in the grip of an extreme drought, caused by El Nino. The fires have started as a result of human actions; newcomers to the area attempting to follow traditional Dayak farming methods for land clearance. But the land is dry in the current season and when peat dries out it burns very easily. The newcomers do not possess the experience to control the fires and as soon as one is brought under control, another erupts.

Two key charities are helping to raise funds to save the Orangutans and forests out there…..

To donate to the BOS (Borneo Orangutan Survival and find out more about these fires and devastation please click the link below:

Please give now and help us minimise the number of casualties of this threat to the rainforests of Borneo

The Sebangau Forest is the largest non-fragmented area of lowland rainforest remaining in Borneo and supports the largest population of the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) with an estimated 6,900 individuals living there. This represents 12.5% of the estimated remaining world population of this endangered species.

Dr. Suwido Limin, Director of the Indonesian peatland conservation organisation CIMTROP (Centre for International Cooperation in the Management of Tropical Peatland), has gathered a team who are leading the fire-fighting operations. They have been working 24hours a day to dig wells to channel water to the forefront of the fires. Work involves transporting heavy equipment manually or by motorcycle to wherever it is needed, day and night. The work is not only exhausting but also dangerous, and costly.

The budget available to CIMTROP is very limited and so Orangutan Foundation has already donated £3,000 to allow firefighting operations to continue and to help avert this desperate situation. The situation is predicted to worsen over the coming weeks as conditions become drier and so we really need your help to safeguard this orangutan population in its home.

The Orangutan Foundation only has an appeal when we really need your help. This is one of those instances. We ask you to please donate whatever you can to help avert this desperate situation. CIMTROP are experienced at controlling forest fires but they need the resources to do it.

To donate to the Orangutan Foundation and to find out more please see their homepage by clicking HERE

Leigh & Westcliff times Orangutan Campaign Sandra Dean July 2009

My local fortnightly newspaper, The Leigh & Westcliff Times, published my story on 30th June 2009. 

Following my last publication locally, I was really pleased, as it highlights the palm oil situation that is harming the rainforests of Borneo & Sumatra and killing the Orangutans.  We must act soon, and force the Supermarkets & manufacturers to swap from unsustainable to sustainable palm oil.  The production of unsustainable palm oil is damaging our environment, and harming the people and wildlife of Borneo & Sumatra – please help….

I decided to speak out about my bankruptcy 4 years ago, the spiral into depression that that situation led to, and how helping the Orangutans has given me a new lease of life and lifted my spirits, as it is a time of depression within this credit crunch, and many people are feeling the pinch. I feel that this story could give people some hope and inspiration. I hope that you enjoy reading it and that it brings a few people to help the Orangutans too!

You can view it by clicking on the picture and then clicking again to enlarge it

See my other publications by CLICKING HERE
See only my other Orangutan publications CLICK HERE

See details of my campaign by CLICKING HERE

See some of what I am doing by CLICKING HERE

They have kindly sent me the photo below for use on my website..

More you can do – Fundraising / Awareness raising events – This can be absolutely anything some kids have been selling cakes at school and there is a guy jumping out of a plane. My colleague runs film nights from time to time and a volunteer is holding a garden party later this year. These all work and we would give what support we can.

Write to MP, supermarket, furniture shop. Checking your shopping, are you palm oil and rainforest wood free? www.orangutanfriendly.org

You can subscribe to their newsletter on their website

About BOS

buried alive after chopping his hand off photo from BOS

rescued orangutan photo from BOS

orangutan cruelty photo supplied by BOS

The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation is the largest primate rescue project in the world, with nearly 1000 orangutans in its care. BOS is the only organisation actively rescuing wild orangutans from oil-palm plantations, as well as rehabilitating orphaned orangutans, displaced as a result of the relentless devastation of their habitat to clear land for palm oil production. BOS is committed to protecting the orangutan and its rainforest habitat, and relies entirely on donations to achieve this.
About Lone
Lone Droscher Nielsen is the founder and manager of the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Reintroduction Project in Central Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo). This project, opened in 1999, is now the largest primate rescue project in the world, with over 670 orangutans in its care presently. The project not only rescues and rehabilitates hundreds of orphaned orangutan infants with the goal of a return to the wild, but also rescues hundreds of wild orangutans from palm oil plantations which clear their habitat and decimate their populations.
Lone’s project is the only orangutan project actively rescuing wild orangutans. These orangutans are returned to safe forests which have been secured by Lone.
Lone began working with orangutans 14 years ago while she worked as an air hostess with SAS. In 1993, she moved permanently to Borneo to devote her life to saving orangutans. Originally from Denmark, Lone is now being featured in a film called The World’s Most Remarkable Dane. Other films have featured the work of Lone and her team, most notably National Geographic’s Disenchanted Forest, Animal Planet’s Growing Up…Orangutan, BBC’s Apes In Danger: Orangutan, Orangutan Diary and Orangutan Island. Work is in progress for the second series of Orangutan Diary and Orangutan Island.

How to help – BOS say: Fundraising / Awareness raising events – This can be absolutely anything some kids have been selling cakes at school and there is a guy jumping out of a plane. My colleague runs film nights from time to time and a volunteer is holding a garden party later this year. These all work and we would give what support we can.
Write to MP, supermarket, furniture shop Checking your shopping, are you palm oil and rainforest wood free? www.orangutanfriendly.org and check out their website too – you can donate, fundraise or adopt an orangutan!

dino with katie rasa ria copyright Sandra M Dean

Rasa Ria Resort, near Kota Kinabalu – 5 nights

Highlights -

o Seeing baby Orangutan orphans being cared for and playing in the trees!
o Being in rainforest and all the noises, yet by the sea too – unique!
o The Resort – Rasa Ria – and the room and view
o The whole experience

Bad bits -

o None!

Creatures we saw there -

• Young Orangutans
• Geckos

mount kinabalu from aeroplane copyright Sandra M Dean

We transferred to Lahad Dhatu airport and got a flight back to Kota Kinabalu (great views and a nice photo of Mount Kinabalu towering over the clouds), ready for an onward transfer with our bags that we had left behind to the Rasa Ria Resort. He was there at the airport and he had our bags – we were so pleased and impressed!

The greeting at the Rasa Ria is a big gong and a welcome drink in the lobby as the receptionist comes to sit with you for check in. The room was fantastic, comfortable and luxurious and the views over the grounds and the sea were breathtaking. Although we were tired, we opted for the best restaurant in the resort for dinner. It was easy to get a table and we had a lovely time, albeit a little chilly due to the air conditioning. Lovely food and wine though and the service was great – its called the ‘Coast’

coast restaurant rasa ria copyright Sandra M Dean

feeding katie vitamins copyright Sandra M Dean

Michael unfortunately fell down the stair in the room, and grazed his head quite badly, so that got a bit infected – no, he wasn’t even drunk at the time!

The next morning we got up early to see the baby Orangutans at the Rasa Ria Rehabilitation Centre. There was a short film and then we had a short walk into the forest to platforms. There were up to 8 of them, and so gorgeous they were too! Every time I saw them I stayed until the end, and it became a daily habit, as I could not resist them. You could get so close to them and they played in the trees, or with each other, or the guide, Dino, would feed them vitamin drinks. Absolutely stunning!

shangri la's rasa ria resort nature reserve orangutan

phad thai at coffee terrace copyright sandra M Dean

For lunch, we opted for room service as we were so tired, and it was fabulous – Satay chicken and Phad Thai with our wonderful view – why not! We dossed in the afternoon and for dinner, we chose the Indian restaurant and it was pretty good. Music by 3 ladies and a guy on a keyboard was the entertainment for the evening and they were really good – and they took requests!

The next day, we opted for a morning view of the Orangutans again spent the afternoon on the beach, with

sunset over bay at rasa ria copyright sandra M Dean

rasa ria room copyright sandra M Dean

kyute bay orangutan copyright sandra M Dean

lunch and a couple of beers and had a wander along the beach to find a melting sandpit – very interesting seeing the Island melting away. We saw the sunset go down and got some great photos, and then had dinner in the Coffee Terrace. We had fish cakes, fish on risotto and Pad Thai and it was ok.

sandra waterskiing from rasa ria

rasa ria beach copyright sandra M Dean

Next day we had another Orangutan viewing and in the afternoon I wanted to do some waterskiing, which had to be done just outside of the bay the resort was in, for safety, and the water was rather polluted with petrol and scum. However, after many attempts to get up on the skis and just about to give up due to frustration I pulled myself up with one big might and had a great ski around the area, past a little village, under a bridge and back again. My arms hurt for a day afterwards, but it was a great experience and I had only done it once before and that was 12 years previously.

tepilaut makan street sir fry choices

indian food tepilaut makan street rasa ria

We had dinner at the buffet ‘Tepilaut – Makan Street’ which was gorgeous – such a variety of foods on offer and many of them cooked for you as you wait (fresh meat and ingredients that you pick yourself). We had duck pancakes, noodle soup and some yummy desserts.

We had a day in Kota Kinabalu, where we enjoyed a coffee and cake at Starbucks for breakfast and looked round the indoor market, had lunch at a fast food type café, shopped around the malls and had a beer in a bar and dinner at ‘Nagisa’ Japanese restaurant in the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

We also did some jet-skiing along the coast of the beach at the Rasa Ria.

The next day we saw the Orangutans and went sailing, but we had a bit of trouble with the wind and capsized it! We were rescued, and had our lifejackets on so it was ok – and a bit of excitement after all! We had a pizza in the restaurant which was ok and the buffet dinner as we were more hungry, trying out the Indian bread (Roti), noodles, prawns, noodle soup, a perfect kung po king prawn made directly by the chefs and sent to our table on request (how lovely) with stir fried vegetables and an array of desserts, including cakes, gateau, ice creams with toppings galore, fresh fruits, jelly’s, traditional Malaysian desserts and even marshmallows dipped in hot chocolate.

sandra with orangutans in background

rasa ria resort view to beach copyright sandra M Dean

I had said we would see the Orang’s in the morning, so we did but I could not resist going to see the babies again in the afternoon, so off we went to see the gorgeous Orang’s playing. It was wonderful and the Ranger, Dino was just fabulous, answering all our questions and the Orang’s were really near.

We then headed to the pool to relax, but decided that it might be nice to stay a little longer, rather than go back the next day, so we deliberated a little and headed back to the room to make the phone calls. Michael sorted it all out in a couple of hours (oh yes!) and we got a flight for 3 days later, so we booked the next 3 nights at the Tanjung Aru Resort in Kota Kinabalu (it is the same company -Shangri-La- just another location nearer to the Town). We ended up booking with the tourist guide as the hotel was charging 150 RM more, believe it or not!

baby orangutan free to play copyright Sandra M Dean

innocent orangutan baby rasa ria copyright sandra M Dean

So, we had a last dinner at the Rasa Ria back at the Coast Restaurant and had a wonderful meal – rack of lamb, duck and an array of desserts – what a finish to our stay. The Rasa Ria is truly a fabulous Resort!

See the itinerary for the rest of this trip here

canopy walkway danum valley copyright sandra m dean

Borneo Rainforest Lodge – Danum Valley – 3 nights

Highlights -

o Seeing a wild Orangutan male in the trees – free!
o Being in virgin rainforest and all the noises – unique!
o Canopy Walkway
o Trekking

Bad bits -

o None!

Creatures we saw there -

• Orangutans
• Samba deer
• Owl
• Curly big insect???
• Hog – resident to the lodge!
• flying black squirrel
• reptiles
• millipedes
• Termite mounds
• Leeches!
• Flora and Fauna – Fungi
• Turtle
• Red leaf monkeys (otherwise known as Maroon Langur)
•Bornean Gibbon

view of borneo rainforest lodge copyright sandra m dean

resident bornean bearded pig copyright sandra m dean

So, off we went to the Borneo Rainforest Lodge in Danum Valley. The trip was over a few hours and the last three hours were on rough terrain, as the lodge is in the depths of the virgin rainforest, and well worth all the travel! I must admit we were expecting it to be very basic and possibly worse than the first lodge, but it was much better. On arrival, we had a welcome drink and lunch. I spoke with the waiter to explain that I would require vegetarian food and Michael thought it best he join me, and we were presented with sweet and sour tofu served to the table and then also had the choice from the very varied buffet. We had rice, salad and aubergine washed down by a nice cold well earnt beer! Nearly every meal, a different vegetarian option was served with a smile and it was delicious. I was nearly tempted by the meat and fish dishes as they looked really good, but decided to stay with vegetarian.

chef at borneo rainforest lodge with michael

borneo rainforest lodge dining

We headed straight out onto a trek, and met our very nice guide for the duration of our 3/4 night stay. Groups are small, and the three other girls from our group were tired that afternoon, so we had the guide all to ourselves. We trekked to the canopy walkways and soaked up the fantastic canopy views over and into the rainforest, with its fabulous noises and peace. We found a curly big insect (which I am yet to identify). After another delicious meal for dinner, we went on our night trek in the truck. We were lucky enough to see a Samba deer out feeding very close to the truck, and an owl.

The resident hog was really cute!

logging truck borneo copyright sandra m dean

bornean gibbon copyright sandra m dean

red leaf monkey copyright sandra m dean

After a very nice buffet breakfast, we went on our first morning trek, and firstly saw a gibbon up above swinging happily in the trees. Then a millipede (yet to identify) And various reptiles (yet to identify) We went uphill to the lookout over the rainforest and lodge grounds with the river meandering along, and saw the coffin cliff. On the way up, unfortunately, Michael slipped and somehow did a somersault over the small wooden barrier for the last few steps and he nearly fell down the hillside, but just managed to hold on, so I would be very careful up there!

insect borneo copyright sandra m dean

Saw another millipede (yet to identify). After retrieving Michael’s sunglasses and annoying the guide for wandering off, we met down at the waterfall. We had met a couple who travelled to the lodge with us. They were French Canadians, and had a very young baby with them, which was quite unbelievable, but they took it on their treks and at the waterfall, the father was walking across the top, which was very very slippery, wet and high up and rugged, without even a harness for his baby – just holding it with one arm. Most people on the trip were disgusted by their behaviour, which was clearly selfish, as the baby could have caught something through mosquitoes or the many cockroaches and other insects that bite.

That evening, we saw a flying black squirrel which are remarkably fast and agile and a (yet to be identified). Another lovely dinner, while two couples had a honeymoon candle lit dinner, we then played scrabble. In fact, scrabble and cards were played a lot during this holiday, as it was so relaxing in between the hectic bits!

We were up for a hearty breakfast the next day (all this veggie food makes you hungry!) and so we had hash browns, baked beans in tomato sauce, toast and butter, mushrooms and an omelette. It was lovely and amazing that they can make such good food in such a remote place.

Our morning trek brought us in contact with many more fungi, plants, termite mounds, a turtle (who you can just about spot on my photo) a baboon (yet to be identified) And of course lots more leeches!

anglehead agamid copyright sandra m dean

The next day, our trek brought us more delights, such as fungi, small monkeys, a bird (yet to

flying black squirrel copyright sandra m dean

be identified). The different small monkeys (red leaf monkeys and beige ones – yet to be identified), giant ants and a male wild Orangutan right above our heads!

We went on one last trek before we left, but didn’t have time for much, so walked along the road instead, and we were so pleased we did. We came across the male Orangutan and had around an hour of photographing him- it was wonderful to see this beautiful creature just feet away up in the tree, free and happy! What an end to a fantastic few days at Danum Valley. We had another very relaxing lunch overlooking the rainforest and grounds, and said our goodbyes to our great chef and guide.

wild orangutan danum valley copyright sandra m dean

lahad datu airport copyright sandra m dean

We transferred to Lahad Dhatu airport and got a flight back to Kota Kinabalu (great views and a nice photo of Mount Kinabalu towering over the clouds), ready for an onward transfer with our bags that we had left behind to the Rasa Ria Resort. He was there at the airport and he had our bags – we were so pleased and impressed!

See the itinerary for the rest of this trip here

sepilok feeding copyright sandra m dean

Sepilok 2nd visit – staying at the Sepilok Jungle Resort – 1 night

Highlights -

o Seeing Orangutans up close
o Watching Orangutan behaviour
o Learning about the rescue and plight of these poor creatures
o Photo opportunities
o Night tour, seeing many nocturnal creatures – lesser malay mousedeer, a stick insect and a western tarsier
o Baboons

Bad bits -

o None!

Creatures we saw there -
• Orangutans
• Macaques
• Baboons

mother and baby orangutan copyright sandra m dean

orangutan copyright sandra m dean

The Sepilok Jungle Resort is a huge area right in the forest, with a small waterway, bridged walkways, and lots of flora, fauna and creatures! The grounds really were amazing – the room was not. It had air-conditioning, but it smelt damp and was extremely basic and small. So, we decided to go straight out, and have a good look round, take photos and after a very nice lunch there, we had another visit to the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre. As long as the Orangutans are around, I will be with them as much as possible, whether it be in a zoo, monkey world or borneo, so I was in my element there.

sepilok copyright sandra m dean

sepilok Jungle resort copyright sandra m dean

The second trip to Sepilok was just as good as the first.  On our way in, we spotted a mother and young baby high in the trees. There were also some baboons on this trip and many of the smaller monkeys. Then along came the Orangs…… We had an older female to start with, who fed with the guys on the platform and the mother and baby came down to feed as well, which was great. A couple more adults came down, but not much feeding going on, so the small monkeys (Macaques) were lucky. They had been lurking underneath the platform, taking chances to fly onto the platform and steal a banana or two, but once the platform was deserted, they had a feast. Then a gorgeous young male orangutan (Mika, 7 years old) came to the platform and chilled out for a while, which was quite a show, as he lay there playing with his legs in the air. Got some wonderful photos of him and it was a very enjoyable afternoon.

Night tour

western tarsier copyright sandra m dean

We booked to go on a night tour of Sepilok and were very glad we did, after the initial ‘I cant be bothered to get my leech socks and boots and mossie spray on!’ conversation….. We had a great guide and trekked with one other couple, who were from Holland. It was a great trip and we viewed quite a lot, but didn’t get photos of everything. We saw a lesser malay mousedeer, a stick insect and we were very lucky to see a western tarsier, of which I got some great photos, followed by a huge gecko.

We had a nice dinner and a game of cards back at the Sepilok jungle resort, and went to bed for an early start in the morning.

To see the first visit to Sepilok click HERE

See the itinerary for the rest of this trip here

save the orangutan copyright Sandra M Dean

How much do you know about the dangers for the orangutans?  How they are being slaughtered?

Do you know why they are being killed and will be extinct in around 10 years if we dont help?

Do you know how you can so easily help?

All this and more in my section on ‘save the orangutan’ which you can read by clicking  HERE

orangutan borneo copyright Sandra M Dean

How much do you know about the Orangutans of Borneo?

I have organised some easy to read facts about the Bornean Orangutan HERE

Orangutan copyright Sandra M Dean

How much do you know about Orangutans? 

I have organised some easy to read facts about the orangutan – click here

charities orangutan copyright Sandra M Dean

Can you help to save the orangutans?  The answer is yes and you dont have to spend money!  The charities and foundations can give you some information and ideas.

Please see our information on the Charities and Organisations helping the plight of the orangutan here