Assist with primate studies in the Sumatran rainforest
Program Overview
Join this conservation project with a varied group of international volunteers and learn from the experts in the Leuser Ecosystem of Northern Sumatra. This is the region where you’ll have the opportunity to spot the giant flying squirrel, Sumatran elephant, white-handed gibbons and undoubtedly, the orangutan.
While you are on this 12-day project you will get involved in a vast amount of work and share what you learn with local communities. This includes the knowledge of basic science, public health and wildlife conservation management of the local ecosystems.
Some of your tasks will include jungle-based fieldwork and trekking into forests to observe some of the most beautiful creatures in the world. Many volunteers also take part in a night out together, camping under the stars surrounded by the environment they spend studying during the day!
Life on the Program
When you first arrive you will receive basic training, including a visit to the feeding platforms as well as an initial tour of the forest where you will work. Days 5-10 will allow you to begin conducting fieldwork and spending occasional nights in the forest to complete your research. By the end, you’ll lend a hand in the data-entry process. Please do make note that the activities described above are to be understood as examples, and your experience may not be the same.
The location of the project is in a village called Timbang Lawan, which is about 50 miles from Medan. Your accommodation will be simple but tidy, featuring a local style building situated in the rice paddies. The conditions will be rustic, offering amenities such as drop toilets, no hot water and shared bedrooms. Please be prepared for a more basic set of living conditions during your daily treks in the forest.
Program Details
Your main initiative while participating in this project will be to determine how wild orangutans fight against infections caused by parasites. These infections ultimately affect everything from orangutan overall health to reproduction and fertility, and ultimately survival. Because the orangutans eat plants that are known to treat specific illnesses, you will assist in some of the additional following tasks:
- Noting behavioral habits
- Collecting samples of orang-utan nourishment
- Preparing equipment and behavioural data sheets for field staff
- Keeping temperature, weather and humidity data records up to date and accurate
- Counting nests
- Noting evidence of available fruits and recording all data
- Locating areas with a large wild orang-utan population
- Finding and following orang-utans to observe behavioral data and collect faecal samples
Volunteer Testimonials
I had a lot of good moments whilst volunteering. One of my favourites, was the camaraderie of sitting at night, in the jungle, with all the jungle noises, the river roaring nearby, in candle light (with all the attendant moths) playing cards with the other volunteers, the project staff and the Indonesian guides and marking people’s faces with charcoal when they lost a game and watching the guides laughing so much they couldn’t speak.
I had an amazing time here. It was great to get a close look in person of the struggle of conservation and research in Indonesia. There are so many moments that will be with me forever – seeing wild and semi wild orang-utans, learning about medicinal plants, sleeping and trekking in the jungle, riding elephants in Tangahan and more. I will also never forget seeing vast tracks of palm oil plants as far as the eye can see. I really love it here and I’m already plotting how I can return – soon I hope.
Latest from the Base...
Wherever you travel, our bases are places of profound discovery, awe-inspiring observations, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Find yourself at home in some of the most remote and pristine environments in the world.
To learn more about the latest from this base, please feel free to contact us today.
Program Details
Build Your Program
What's Included
- Pre-departure support and discounted services
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Airport pick-up (unless otherwise stated)
- Arrival orientation
- Long term experienced staff
- Safe and basic accommodations (usually shared)
- All meals (unless otherwise stated in field manuals)
- Welcome meeting
- Location orientation
- All necessary project training by experienced staff
- All necessary project equipment and materials
- 24-hour in-country support
- Trekking in the rainforest
- Camping out under the stars in the rainforest
- Learning about Indonesian orangutans
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Medical and travel insurance
- Visa costs
- Personal kit
- Additional drinks and gratuities
- Extra local excursions
- International and domestic airport taxes
