Jessica McKelson, Founder Director of Raw Wildlife Encounters

The Sumatran Orangutan is critically endangered. In 2004, between 4000 and 6000 lived in the wild in Sumatra, down to less than 14% of its population 60 years ago. Efforts to prevent the extinction of the "man of the forest" is a race against time for conservationists. Awareness of the urgency to save these animals is increasing as more travellers opt for eco-tours to Sumatra.

A male orangutan called Leuser was rescued in 2004 by the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) and released into the wild a few months later. Two years later, he was shot 62 times with an air rifle, including in the eyes, rendering him totally blind. Leuser recovered, and is now 14 years old. But he can never be released into the wild. He is one of five at SOCP's orangutan quarantine facility near Medan, North Sumatra, that cannot be released because of injuries that prevent them from surviving in the wild. These animals are currently housed in cages that are inadequate as permanent homes.

"An ideal solution would be to find some land, about 3 or 4 hectares, with a clean water supply, on which to construct a number of small enclosures," says Ian Singleton, Director of Conservation at PanEco, one of many international organisations that fund the SOCP.

The word "orangutan" means "man of the forest" in Malay. As orang-utans live in trees and rarely come to ground, illegal logging and the clearing of forests for palm oil and rubber tree plantations has devastated 80 percent of their habitat over the last 20 years. And logging is not the only threat. Many of the orang-utans rescued by SOCP were illegally held pets, and the number of babies being stolen for the pet trade is increasing.

Awareness of the catastrophe facing orangutans is spreading as more and more travellers opt for eco-tours to North Sumatra. Raw Wildlife Encounters is an eco-tourism company that not only includes specialised visits to the orangutan quarantine facility but also contributes financial assistance to the SOCP. Raw Wildlife Encounters contributed to the building of SOCP's much needed orangutan baby house along with new quarantine caging facilities for rescued orphans.

"They are all a bunch of refugees," says Singleton.

"For almost all of them, their mother was killed. Their mothers are like human mothers. They die defending their kids." she added.

By engaging the most highly skilled tour leaders and conservationists to deliver up close and personal encounters with the orang-utans, Raw Wildlife Encounters hopes to instil in their guests an emotional experience that will stay with them long after they leave and go home.

The tour company believes that the more people are aware and educated about the plight of the orangutans, the better chance these animals have of surviving.

But only time will tell. While the efforts of conservationists and eco-tourism companies, such as Raw Wildlife Encounters, go some way towards slowing the extinction of the orangutan, the prospects of these animals remain bleak.

www.rawildlife.com.au

About Raw Wildlife Encounters

Raw Wildlife Encounters endeavours to ensure all tours are unique and led by well-known professionals in the field. Your experience will be enhanced with the wildlife professionals Raw Wildlife Encounters offers. One of five finalists for the TIES Innovation Award 2010, through the International Ecotourism Society, Raw Wildlife Encounters is recognised for their unique and ethically responsible tours, where you have the option to participate in a 'GREEN' adventure.

Click the following link to find out more -  http://www.yourtravelchoice.org/2010/08/2010-innovation-award-finalist-jessica-mckelson/