Tuesday 24 November 2015

INDONESIA: 3 Travel Companies Vow To Help Borneo’s Orangutans

Three travel companies have teamed up to help orangutans that are being threatened by forest fires in Borneo.

Khiri Travel Indonesia, Wow Borneo and Asia Transpacific Journeys have joined forces to draw attention to the thousands of orangutans and other species whose habitats are being destroyed by annual fires in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island.

According Khiri Reach, Khiri Travel’s not-for-profit arm, an estimated 10,000 orangutans, along with cloud leopards and hornbills, have been impacted by forest fires this year. And dozens of animals rescued by the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) are in need of shelter, medication and nourishment.

“We want to mobilise the support of partner organisations, not just in Indonesia, but across the region to help the orangutan, preserve forest habitats, and encourage a halt to the burning of forests,” said Pharatah Senapan, chief ambassador of Khiri Reach. “A long-term sustainable solution is needed to ensure protection for the habitat of this unique species.”

A BOSF spokesperson added; “The foundation welcomes initiatives on orangutan and habitat conservation from partners. We are keen to fulfil the Orangutan National Action Plan to put all orangutans in the rehabilitation centres back in the forest by 2015.”

Apart from a donation to BOSF, Khiri Reach has also launched an awareness campaign for staff and travel industry partners.

“We can’t standstill and not take part to help with the situation,” said Khiri Reach Indonesia spokesperson, Elske de Vries. “In fact, we believe everyone should join.”

Members of the travel industry and the public can support the BOSF’s rescue work by either donating funds online or adopting an orangutan at donation.orangutan.or.id.

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