Orangutan Project - Sumatra

Ready to get involved in something truly special? The Sumatra Orangutan Project is a hands-on conservation adventure that aims to protect the endangered orangutans and the unique wildlife and plants that thrive in this stunning part of North Sumatra. This isn’t just a project, it’s a chance to work with some of the world’s most incredible animals in one of the oldest rainforests on the planet!

What will you be doing?

You’ll be helping to monitor the habitat of orangutans, protect their environment, and restore forests so they can thrive. Not only will you get to observe these amazing creatures, but you’ll also be involved in some community outreach, working with local kids and educating them about wildlife and the importance of conservation.

Expect to get your hands dirty as you assist with wildlife tracking, forest restoration, and even running educational programs. You’ll be working in the lush jungle with orangutans, civet cats, slow lorises, macaques, gibbons, and plenty of birds, insects, and frogs! Your days will vary, but there’s never a dull moment.

Tasks include:

• Wildlife Monitoring: Use GPS to track orangutans and other species and document their movements.
• Habitat Mapping: Help identify orangutan nesting sites, food sources, and create movement corridors.
• Restoration: Work on planting trees to rebuild wildlife corridors between local areas and the national park.
• Community Outreach: Teach English to local children and spread awareness about the environment and wildlife conservation.
• Eco-friendly Projects: Collect and repurpose plastic waste to build eco-friendly bricks.
• Forest Restoration: Assist with planting trees to restore the natural habitat for the animals.

You’ll also have the opportunity to work with local communities, teaching kids English, nature education, and the importance of protecting their environment. You’ll be part of the effort to build bridges between locals and the national park, making a real difference in the way people live alongside wildlife.

Typical Day as a volunteer:

A typical day for volunteers is flexible and blends environmental and educational activities. Here’s an example of what a day could look like:

Morning:

• 6:30 AM: Start the day with a one-hour walk to spot slow lorises and civet cats, and log their locations using GPS.
• 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM: Breakfast.

9:00 AM: Begin the morning conservation activities:

• Locate, observe, identify, and monitor wild orangutans and other wildlife in the project area.
• Collect data on orangutan nests, including GPS coordinates and daily activity patterns (migration, feeding, resting, and travel).
• Take samples from tracks to analyse the diet of orangutans and other primates.

Nursery Activities:

• Assist in setting up and maintaining the tree and plant nursery.
• Collect seedlings, seeds, and fruit to help restore and maintain the wildlife habitat.
• Learn how to cultivate trees and seeds for future planting.

Wildlife Corridors:

• Participate in planting enrichment trees to create wildlife corridors, reconnecting habitats for animals like the Sumatran orangutan and other primates.

Afternoon:

• 12:00 PM: Lunch.
• 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Optional afternoon activities
• Continue with land management tasks, research, and other conservation-related projects, like nature corridors.

Weekly Schedule:

Monday to Wednesday:

• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Prepare English lessons for Jungle School.
• 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Teach English to local schoolchildren.

Thursday and Saturday:

• 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Assist at another school, teaching nature, environment, and English lessons.

Friday:

• Visit a local market for rubber, vegetables, and fruit.
• Learn to cook traditional Indonesian dishes with the local chef.

Optional Activities:

• Jungle Art: Get inspired by the jungle, landscapes, animals, and nature to create art. Materials like pencils and paper will be provided.
• River Stone Sculptures: Stack stones and create pebble towers along the river.
• Try Indonesian fishing.
• Learn Indonesian phrases with the team.
• Relax, explore, or swim in the river.

Evening:

• 5:30 PM: Help with preparing dinner.
• 6:30 PM: Dinner.
• 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Optional dusk or night walk to spot wildlife like slow lorises, civet cats, leopard cats, or porcupines.

This experience is a perfect mix of conservation, adventure, and community outreach, where you’ll work in an amazing natural environment while making a real difference. Whether you're passionate about wildlife, love working with kids, or want to get involved in meaningful eco-projects, this is your chance to contribute to preserving one of the most beautiful and threatened ecosystems on Earth.

Are you ready to join the fight to save orangutans and make a lasting impact? let’s go!

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