Print
Indonesia
On the Indonesian island of Sumatra, we're returning a huge area of logged forest to its former glory. It's called Harapan Rainforest, which means 'hope'.
The wildlife
Harapan Rainforest is so rich in wildlife that it can be described as one of the world's 'biodiversity hotspots'. Animals found in the forest include tigers, Asian elephants, otters, porcupines, bears and turtles. And 300 different species of birds breed there - including hornbills, eagles, storks, parrots, kingfishers and rare pheasants. The Rafflesia flower - the world's biggest - blooms on the forest floor and a huge variety of insects can be found, too.
Caught on camera
To help us find out what lives in the forest, we set up motion-sensitive 'camera traps' to take photos.
The problems
More than 95 per cent of Sumatra's lowland forests have been destroyed since 1900. Some rainforest trees are valuable and used for timber and plywood. Once they've been removed, logging companies clear the remaining trees and the land can be used for other purposes. Logged areas are prone to fires and flooding. And the crops planted afterwards are of little value for wildlife.
Dieter's story
The first time I saw this place was from a helicopter. It was a terrifying trip. Across the island of Sumatra, which is the sixth biggest island in the world, almost all of the lowland rainforest had gone. Replacing it were palm oil and timber plantations - places where very little wildlife lives.
Gibbons are the most amazing alarm clock. They start singing at 5 am in Harapan Rainforest. A family of them live right by the camp. They're a constant reminder of why we are here.
Dieter Hoffmann, RSPB Head of International Country Programmes
Saving the forests of Indonesia
Thanks to the work with our partner organisation, Burung Indonesia, the Indonesian government changed the law. That meant we now have the rights to manage the forest without having to do any logging. Over the next 100 years, we will reverse the damage that has been done, giving the people and wildlife that live there a secure future.
Rainforest blog
Stay up to date with the progress in Sumatra and around the world.
-
26 January 2012
Posted by Laura Stevens