Orangutan Project. Mission d écovolontariat 2015

Transcription

1 Mission d écovolontariat 2015 Orangutan Project Vous pouvez librement télécharger ce document ainsi que les documents correspondant aux autres missions sur la page web réservée à chaque mission, sur le site Il est nécessaire que vous puissiez communiquer en anglais durant certaine mission, nous vous présentons donc certains documents en anglais. Le texte de ce document est développé en collaboration avec le projet. Chaque année il sera mis à jour, si nécessaire. Cela dit, vous risquez, une fois sur le terrain de constater des différences entre ce que vous avez lu et ce que vous vivez. Il faut comprendre que pour réaliser et suivre un programme lié à la faune sauvage, une certaine flexibilité est requise. Cybelle Planète, association loi rue St Exupéry, St Jean de Védas, France 1 N SIREN : Imm Cybelle Planète, association loi rue St Exupéry, St Jean de Védas, France, France N SIREN : Immatriculation OVS IM Tél Cybelle Planète, info@cybelle-planete.org association loi Grand Rue, Villeneuve-Lès-Maguelone, France, N SIREN : Immatriculation OVS OVS IM Tél info@cybelle-planete.org Tél info@cybelle-planete.org

2 Summary Project presentation... 3 Species... 4 Volunteers role... 5 Useful skills / requirements... 6 Program schedule... 6 Location... 7 Travel information... 7 Dates... 7 Price... 7 Internships... 8 Capacity... 8 Join the project... 8 Language... 8 Communication... 8 Clothing and equipment... 8 Accommodation Food Daily chores Other activities Useful information Currency Extra expenses Evaluating your budget Electricity Medical information Insurance Passport/Visa and country information Specific recommendations Volunteer Application Form Orangutan Health Project Health Statement 2

3 Project presentation It isn t easy learning to be an orangutan. The rainforest is teeming with plants, insects and many types of fruits. It takes years for a youngster to learn what is good or bad to eat and, more importantly, what to take for indigestion or illness. Scientists tend to think that wild animals such as orangutans have natural immunity to diseases in their environment. This is not the case they are just as susceptible to microbes and parasites as are humans. Amazingly, like humans, it appears that they take medicine in the form of medicinal plants to treat their illnesses. Apes using plants to treat a dodgy gut is a fairly new finding, and one that is brimming with questions about how they know which plants to select for which ailments. New areas of the forest are constantly being opened to development and human contact. Humans are introducing new parasites, viruses and diseases into the forest, as well as bringing new ones out of it. Are our ginger friends suffering from these human diseases? Have they already found treatments for them? This is where we come in. Having already found wild orangutans to be generally healthier than those who have spent their entire lives in captivity or have been rehabilitated and reintroduced to their forest home, the project s scientist wants to learn from the orangutans why this is. What are they eating or doing differently? It is hoped that we will be able to understand ways of dealing with illnesses in one of our closest living relatives. The project was the first orangutan research project to investigate special behaviors and ecological conditions necessary to maintain health in wild orangutans. In addition, it is the only on-going and long-term orangutan health research project being conducted in the world at this time. This is partly due to the complexity of self-medicating behaviors of the orangutan and the astonishing variety of flora in the rainforest, which also entails geographical and seasonal variations. Since 1999, the project research has been published in several scientific publications. Moreover the data collected thanks to the help of volunteers is being used to compile a book of medicinal plants found in the Gunung Lueser National Park. The book is going to be published in both English and Bahasa Indonesian, and will be able to be used by Indonesian students investigating all facets of the Gunung Lueser National Park. The Singapore Zoo has used the data collected by the project to formulate a new diet to feed to their orangutans. Subsequentially, this has resulted in a decrease in the parasite load of their orangutans. There is still a great need for more information to be gathered and for further research to be conducted in order for us to continue learning about orangutan health and how orangutans combat disease. As a volunteer, your participation is invaluable: the data you help to process is vital to further our understanding of these magnificent animals and your financial contribution offsets a significant proportion of our costs (employing local experts, running lab analyses, expanding the project to incorporate a wider conservation/education remit, etc.).. Without the support of volunteers, the project would simply not have been able to reach the stage it is at today. This support is vital to the continuing success of the project s work. You will have a once in a lifetime chance to see primary rainforest in one of the most beautiful areas in the world. If that s not enough, you will be within viewing distance (physical contact is not allowed) of one of the most graceful primates on earth in their natural habitat. 3

4 The importance of the project work cannot be emphasized enough. It will bring knowledge to basic science, public health, wildlife conservation management and, hopefully, help to save both flora and fauna. Species Orangutans Orangutans (Pongo spp) are the only great apes naturally occurring outside of Africa. As one of the closest human relatives their scientific and intrinsic value is immense. However, due primarily to human pressures such as deforestation, habitat degradation and hunting, their numbers have declined precipitously and they are in imminent danger of extinction in the wild. The Sumatran Orangutan (Pongo abelii) is particularly threatened with only 6-7,000 individuals left and an IUCN threat rating of critically endangered (the highest category before extinction). These orangutans survive in a few remaining areas of primary rainforest in northern Sumatra, including the Gunung Leuser National Park. Unfortunately these remnants are under severe threat from human encroachment in the form of Palm Oil plantations and illegal logging. The Sumatran rainforest is an incredibly rich ecosystem that supports a huge variety of plant, animal and other types of life. In addition to the orangutan, other primates such as gibbons, siamangs and leaf monkeys as well as other endangered megafauna such as tigers, Sumatran rhinos and Sumatran elephants all depend on the forest. Thus saving the orangutans and their environment will also benefit countless other species both large and small. The fate of the orangutan is, ultimately, the responsibility of all of us (consumers and producers). Long-term, enduring steps are definitely required to save the orangutan from extinction. However, even something as seemingly inconsequential as deciding to purchase one chocolate bar over another because one contains unsustainable palm oil and the other does not, can help to make a difference in the orangutan s future. We, as consumers, can educate one another and modify our habits, paying attention to whether or not our purchases affect the forests where the orangutan lives. Other species The ecosystem is home to the largest remaining populations of the Sumatran Tiger, Sumatran Elephant, Sumatran Rhino and the Sumatran Orangutan. There are at least 130 species of mammals within the ecosystem which means that one in 32 of the world's mammals are found there, or one quarter of Indonesia's mammals. Primates residing within the ecosystem include the White-Handed Gibbon, the Siamang, Macaques, the Loris and the Lutung. The research site is home to as many as seven species of cats including the Clouded Leopard, the Asian Golden Cat, the Spotted Linsang and the Binturong. The Sun Bear is quite common within the boundaries of the ecosystem. The most common herbivores found in the project site are the deer which include the Sambar, the Muntjac and the Mouse Deer. Among the largest reptiles found are the turtles and tortoises. The most venomous are the snakes which include the King Cobra and Pythons that can reach up to ten meters in length. Monitor Lizards, skinks, geckos and a variety of frogs are also common.at least 325 species of birds have been recorded in the ecosystem with at least eight species endemic to Sumatra. The project site comprises one of the remaining examples of Indo-malayan (Malesian) vegetation communities with an estimated 45% of the approximately recorded plant species. In general the ecosystem can be characterized as a mountain rainforest community. However, the typical vegetation type up to an altitude of 600 meters is moist tropical lowland forest characterized by multi-layered stories with emergent trees reaching between 45 and 60 meters in height and high densities of fruit tree species. 4

5 Volunteers role There is considerable scope for active and vital participation by volunteers both in the office and fieldwork components of the project. In terms of fieldwork volunteers help find and monitor wild orangutans. The volunteers are able to gather a more diverse range of data from different areas to the student based researchers. This is very important as the project needs to know as much as possible about the health status (parasitology) as well as population structure of the remaining wild orangutan populations in Sumatra. This work is done under the supervision of experienced local field assistants and guides as well as the responsible project staff. In addition there are a number of office based tasks that the volunteers may assist with, especially data entry. Our students and field assistants generate copious amounts of data while on focal studies (observation of at least 5 parameters every two minutes for 8-10 hours a day, 5-6 days a week), and these need to be entered into the computer and checked. This task does not require much special training, just attention to detail and basic computer skills. There are other office based tasks as well, such as maintaining sample collections and herbariums and/or preparing herbariums/samples themselves. These are tasks that require minimal but take time and is vitally important to the project. In the office the work day is usually from 08:00 until 17:00 with regular breaks for lunch and drinks. The working day is structured but relatively informal with plenty of time for interaction with project staff and other volunteers. There are also scheduled free times where the volunteers are free to pursue their own interests or visit the local area and attractions, these include recovery time on arrival in case of jetlag, as well as a half day to explore the tourist village of Bukit Lawang where they can swim in the river, go tubing or visit other attractions such as a bat cave. In the jungle the day is typically spent hiking and searching for wild orangutans. Volunteers usually return to the camp by 15:00 each day, so there is ample time to relax, swim in the river, bathe, wash clothes and socialize. Possible research tasks at base: Entering behavioral data collected by Field Assistants from the project Indonesian site; Organizing samples of orangutan foodstuffs and processing samples for our herbarium; Processing fecal samples collected by Field Assistants; Preparing equipment for Field Assistants to take to the forest; Preparing behavioral data entry sheets; Preparing sample bottles for Field Assistants; Shopping for project supplies in town or at the local market; Brainstorming ideas to help the project s promotion; Keeping temperature, weather and humidity data records updated; Work in the project medical garden; Cleaning project office and accommodation; Drying and weighing plant samples; Photographing collected plant samples; Preparing herbarium specimens. Possible research tasks in the forest: Locating areas with a significant wild orangutan population; Finding and following orangutans. (NB: It is not easy to find wild orangutans, and despite many hours trekking in difficult terrain, sightings are not guaranteed.); Nest counting to provide seasonally varying estimates of the orangutan population; Taking plant pictures. 5

6 Useful skills / requirements Ecovolunteers need to be between 18 and 50 years. However, this depends on the general fitness level of the participant. People over the age of 50 are welcome to apply if they are fit and active and their doctor agrees on their participation. The project recommends a travel insurance policy, as those proposed by Cybelle Planète. No special skills are required, just enthusiasm and a love of nature. Due to the physical nature of the hiking component of the project the volunteers need to be reasonably fit without any physical ailments that would prevent them from walking in fairly dense jungle with hills and river walking and crossings. Before booking, ecovolunteers will have to complete the application form (at the end of this document) and send it to Cybelle Planète (at: info@cybelle-planete.org). Prior to being accepted by the project the volunteer must undertake a health evaluation by a professional medical practitioner. You will have to complete the health statement form at the end of this document and send it to Cybelle Planète (at: info@cybelle-planete.org). The project s final acceptance will depend on this medical form that will have to be filled by your doctor. The project also requires a completed liability form and proof of suitable travel insurance. These will be provided after your booking. Volunteers on every team will get proper instruction and information on the following matters: Orientation to the project and their role in it; Project responsibilities; Safe behavior in tropical countries and potential health risks and precautions; Indonesian culture and appropriate behavior in Sumatra; Proper sample collecting techniques and data entry protocols; Information about the local flora and fauna, especially for orangutans. Courses will be done in order to explain the project and the role of volunteers in it, local customs and the various threats to the orangutans and their environment, their natural history, the research conducted by the project and its results, as well as things that the volunteers can do in their home countries to help. In addition there are books, posters and papers available for the volunteers to use during their free time and they are encouraged to ask questions of the staff at any time. During the jungle trek the head guide, Wanda, is an inexhaustible fount of knowledge about all aspects of the jungle ecosystem which he freely shares. He is a source that the project encourages the volunteers to use as much as possible. Program schedule A SAMPLE VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE MAY GO AS FOLLOWS: Day 1: Arrive in Medan, travel to project, orientation to location, rest and recuperate. Day 2: Orientation to project and tasks. Start work in the office. Day 3: Possible visit to the orangutan feeding platform (depending on the season and fruit availability in the jungle) followed by practice trek in the forest. Second visit to feeding or freetime (swimming/tubing, etc.) Day 4: Volunteer tasks at base (data entry, sample preparation/processing, etc.). 6

7 Days 5-10: Fieldwork/trekking with overnight stays in the forest carrying out tasks necessary to the project's research (see below). Alternatively, several one-day treks in the jungle, which may include river walking, to carry out tasks necessary to the projects research (no overnight camping) Day 11: Field work data processing. Day 12: Free day. (Re-visit feeding platform/swimming/tubing/opportunity for cultural outings ) Volunteer BBQ. Day 13: Travel to Medan (AM) for afternoon flights. IMPORTANT: The above is only an example of a possible schedule of activities. It is always subject to change based on the needs of the project. Staying overnight in the forest is not guaranteed and will be based on considerations such as weather, staff availability, number of volunteers, and most importantly, physical fitness of the volunteers. Location The project base is in the village of Timbang Lawan, Langkat district, approximately 80 km from Medan, the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The research and the volunteer treks are conducted in the Gunung Leuser National Park. The Leuser Ecosystem is an area of forest located in the provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. Covering more than 2.6 million hectares it is one of the richest expanses of tropical rain forest in Southeast Asia and is the last place on earth where sumatran elephant, sumatran rhinoceros, sumatran tiger and sumatran orangutan are found within one area. Sumatra has a rainforest climate and the rainy season is from October to March/April. In saying that, it rains most of the year round. Humidity in the forest rarely goes below 80%, and regularly reaches 100%. At the project base it ranges between 60-90%. Temperatures range from 22 degrees up to 35 degrees, falling by just a few degrees at night. Volunteers are expected to respect the local community, which is predominately Muslim, and women must dress conservatively (i.e., have their shoulders and knees covered). The base is located in rice paddies and the project has many friendly, local neighbors. Travel information Dates Ecovolunteers can participate for a period of 13 days. Volunteers arrive on the first Monday of each month and leave on the Saturday 13 days later. Price The price includes: Round trip airport Transfer, Accommodation and food, Training by the project s staff. The price does not include: Your travel to the airport Your visa expenses, All of your extra expenses. 7

8 Internships The project does not accept interns. Capacity The project accepts a maximum 8 ecovolunteers at a time. 2 Volunteers is the Minimum number of participants for 6 days and 5 nights in the rainforest. When there is only 1 volunteer in the program, the project does not cancel the booking however the program is slightly altered. To include 6 day treks into the rainforest, leaving from Coconut in the morning and returning from the rainforest at night. No overnight stays in the rainforest. Join the project You will have to organize your travel to Medan airport. From the airport, he project will send a shuttle (included in the price) and project staff on the Monday morning to pick up the volunteers at the airport or in their hotel if they arrive beforehand. The project will also provide a shuttle to take the participants back to the airport on the final Saturday. Given that the project is situated around 3 hours from Medan and the airport, participants have to schedule their flight arrival on the Monday morning and departure on the Saturday afternoon. Language All project activities are conducted in English. Knowledge of Bahasa Indonesia would enhance interaction with the local community, but this is not required. Communication The base has wireless internet which volunteers can use for a nominal amount. There are a couple of computers and internet access available at the project s base (10,000 IDR per hour). The second laptop may be used by volunteers in the evening. However frequent power outages can cause disruption to internet connections. Mobile telephone coverage is extensive in Indonesia. In the jungle communication is more difficult although it is possible to hike to areas where mobile phone reception is possible. Clothing and equipment The following items are advisable: A good torch (head torches are very useful) with replacement bulbs & batteries (you can buy batteries here but they are not high quality). You can also bring your own, RECHARGEABLE batteries to reduce harmful waste. The project has AA chargers available, electricity permitting! Even better would be a wind up torch (more practical and environmentally friendly). Lightweight sleeping bag (it can get chilly at night, especially in the forest); Sleeping mat. The project provides a roll mat for you to take with you to the forest, but you may want something a little more substantial for comfort (but bear in mind, what you take to the forest, you have to carry so take weight and size into account); Hiking boots (Note: they will get wet and very muddy!). These should have a good aggressive tread as the forest floor is often very slippery and should preferably be well worn-in prior to arrival to avoid blisters. 8

9 Clothing Sport/water sandals. These are primarily for wearing to cross and walk up/down the rivers while trekking (which you do a lot) and can be for an hour or more each day: need to be tight fitting, have fasteners and good grip; Flip flops (can be bought locally). Very practical and cheap and easy to take on and off; Small rucksack (daypack) for trekking (see below); Lightweight rain coat/poncho (not essential, as in the forest you will be wet anyway through either sweat or rain!); Umbrella (handy when getting caught in the rain in town); Towel (although, as above, a sarong can serve well, is much lighter and quicker to dry); Bathing suit (no bikinis, please!). However, locally, women tend to swim/bathe in a sarong; shorts and t-shirt (vest top OK) is also acceptable so bathing suit is not essential. Men swim in shorts; Mosquito repellent (with 29% DEET or more works best); Sunglasses (and hat if very susceptible to sunburn); Sun block high factor; Athletes Foot powder or similar very good for prickly heat and various rashes/random itchiness; Watch with alarm (best) or alarm clock; Pocket knife; Comprehensive Personal First Aid Kit (recommend plentiful supply of plasters of all sizes/antiseptic cream or spray/ paracetamol/ scissors/tweezers/antiseptic wipes/eye wash etc.) & any medications being taken (including malaria tablets, if being taken); Several Ziploc plastic bags of all sizes (to keep things dry and insect-proof when trekking); Very waterproof bag to carry camera and any other sensitive equipment you may have while trekking; Books/playing Cards/Travel Scrabble and any other easily portable diversions! STRONG, lightweight, quick dry clothing (cotton is good): 2 pr. long trousers & 1 long-sleeve shirts & socks (for trekking); 3/4 t-shirts; Shorts (not skimpy) for swimming and wearing on days off; Sarong for swimming/use as towel/sleeping in etc. (These can be bought locally and are really, really useful!) NB: At the project base females are expected to keep their shoulders and knees covered so vest tops and short shorts are not ideal and neck-lines should not be plunging! Please Note: For your safety you are not allowed to go trekking in the forest wearing militarystyle camouflage clothing of any kind it could be dangerous for you and others if people have any reason to think you might be military personnel. N.B. Small rucksack: The project generally advises to bring a fairly small bag. For jungle treks, the only things you need to take are a spare change of clothes for the evenings (so you can put something dry on when you stop for the night), something to sleep in (i.e., sleeping bag & sarong/t-shirt), a torch, spare batteries, mosquito repellent, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, some sandals, and enough space for 1-2 bottles of water (and maybe some emergency snacks always very popular!). Anything else is not really needed or is carried by the guides although playing cards and a book are a good idea if you can squeeze them in. 9

10 Accommodation Accommodation is VERY basic, but clean. While staying at the project s base, you will probably share accommodation with other volunteers, depending on the number of volunteers in your team. You will have a bed, a mosquito net, and a small "bathroom" with a basic non-flush toilet. You will be asked to clean yourself as per the local custom, using only water and your left hand after using the toilet, so as to avoid blockages caused by paper. There will be no shower, but a supply of water that you scoop over yourself to wash. All our base accommodation has electricity unless there's an outage, which often happens during heavy rain. There's a variety of insects and small animals around for you to get acquainted with: cats, geckos, ducks, rats, cockroaches, leeches, chickens, spiders and a variety of nameless critters. While trekking you will be camping in the jungle for up to 5 nights at a time with only a tarpaulin and thin foam mat separating you from the forest floor. (You might want to consider bringing an inflatable mattress if you want a more comfort but please bear in mind that it is your responsibility to carry your own trekking kit into the forest, so take weight and size into account.) There are no individual tents. Everybody sleep in a row in a semi-open shelter. (There is a roof so you won t get rained on while you sleep, but walls don t necessarily reach the ground and the front is always open.) PLEASE NOTE: Camp conditions tend to be very smoky. The camp fire for cooking/boiling water is always next to the sleeping accommodation and often under the same roof shelter. This can mean a very smoky environment at times. In addition, most Indonesian men smoke (a lot) and all our guides smoke. Smoking is, therefore, common at camp; often in the sleeping area when it is raining and nobody expect the guides to smoke outdoors in the rain. The project realizes this is not ideal for non-smokers. While it do its best to limit volunteer exposure to smoke, if you are very smoke-intolerant you may find this environment difficult. Food At base meals will be taken three times a day usually on the veranda or in the office. There is no menu, and the food will be basic Indonesian cuisine, which mainly consists of rice, noodles, vegetables, eggs and occasionally chicken/fish. It is simple, but also tasty, utilizing varying amounts of chili, but rarely without. Fruit is plentiful, and you won't find many places in the world with more variety. Vegetarians can easily be catered for. The project has a local cook who prepares all the meals. Fresh, bottled water is freely available. Bottled drinking water is provided by the project at all times (and this should also be used for teeth brushing). Beer, alcohol and soft drinks are not included in the participation fee. These can be purchased at local shops or food stalls ( warung ) a short bus ride away. You should avoid non-bottled water or ice in drinks that you buy in the village. In the jungle the guides cook Indonesian food and jungle food gathered from around the camp over an open fire and water from a clean river nearby is boiled to provide safe drinking water. Daily chores Volunteers are expected to maintain a general level of tidiness, but will not be assigned housework outside of their office tasks. Volunteers may do laundry themselves or pay for it to be done for them. 10

11 Other activities Being a short bus ride away from a fast running river, rafting is available. This costs around U$15 for a half day. There is also tubing which is a cheaper option and lots of fun (less than $1/day to rent an inner-tube)! It is also possible to go for a longer walk to a smaller but deeper river for some swimming and perhaps a barbecue. There are mountain bikes to rent at around US $4 a day, and most of the area is accessible to cruising by pedal power (although the roads are full of holes and can make the going difficult). If this isn t fast enough action for you, it s also possible to rent a motorbike (with or without driver) and go for a tour of the local area (but again, watch out for the holes!). There are a number of other rivers, waterfalls and a bat cave to be discovered and explored if you have the energy. Elephant trekking is available at Tangkahan. The elephants were rescued from the forest when it was cleared for palm oil. You can go for a one hour trek, wash the elephants and swim in the river. It takes two hours by motorbike to get there and cost approximately $100 (varies with number of people going). If you re worn out after all this, the local people are excellent at giving massages to those tired limbs, and the prices are very reasonable! Useful information Currency Indonesian Rupiah The closest ATM is in Medan on arrival so participants should draw all the cash they require on arrival. Money changers are available in Bukit Lawang (about 5km away) but their rates can be disadvantageous. Extra expenses The volunteers will not need to pay for local transport. However, in the case of a significantly different time of arrival or departure, volunteers would need to pay their own transport to and from the site. Depending on the mode of transport they prefer, the cost of this may range from IDR 40,000 to 400,000. Additional costs will essentially be any luxuries (soft drinks coco cola, etc., beer, cigarettes, sweets) or additional activities (eg a trip to the elephant conservancy and elephant trek; tubing on the river) that they would like to participate in. Evaluating your budget Restaurant meal: IDR 20, , l Water: IDR 10,000-15,000 Internet: IDR 10,000-20,000/hr Cookies/ crisps: IDR ~ 10,000 Beer: IDR 30,000-40,000 SIM card and basic minutes: IDR 25,000 Sarongs can be anything between IDR 20, ,000 11

12 If you go out in the evening, you will also need to cover the cost of transport to and from the project base (apprx IRD 15,000 one way by becak). Electricity In Indonesia, the voltage is 220 Volts (AC). Plugs have two round prongs. Electricity and electrical lighting will be available in your rice-field accommodation (barring power cuts!). Medical information Before departure Please consult your doctor (and dentist if needed). For medical details please refer to our country specific travel information page: Health risks Working in a tropical rainforest environment, you will be exposed to a number of health risks. You are advised to seek FULL medical advice about staying in Sumatra before arrival, and it is strongly recommended that you take the full program of inoculations advised by your doctor. Please check with your local Health Department or the World Health Organization, at least one month before departure, for any changes in the Indonesian health environment. INOCULATIONS Tetanus, Typhoid, Cholera and Hepatitis A & B are usually recommended by physicians. To date, malaria has not been a problem at the project, but it is present in some areas of Sumatra and there are mosquitoes everywhere, so follow the advice of your doctor regarding the need for prophylactic medication. Similarly, rabies has not been reported within the project area but again, please consult your doctor and follow the advice given. Inoculations are not only for your own protection, but also for the protection of others around you AND the orangutans. Cross-infection is common, and the whole project is about avoiding this. DO NOT put others at risk because of your own negligence. Climate The climate is hot and humid and can be very wearing. You will sweat constantly and, while trekking, will be wet much of the time. Rescue In the case of minor accidents victims will be treated with the extensive first aid supplies on hand and, if necessary, taken to one of the basic, but very good, local clinics. In more serious cases victims will be taken to one of the world-class hospitals in Medan which have access to the full range of modern medical procedures and equipment. A doctor is available in Bohorok Clinic to treat minor incidents. The clinic is a 15 minutes drive from the project. For more serious injuries Gleneagles International Hospital in Medan is approximately hours drive. While trekking, evacuation of an ecovolunteer from the rainforest to nearest point accessible by road will be undertaken by foot. This may take 1 2 hours depending on the conditions in the rainforest. Every trekking party into the rainforest has a well equipped first aid kit. Insurance Cybelle Planète is covered by a MAIF insurance plan (Contract n H). All of our ecovolunteering sessions are insured automatically by this contract for: civil liability, repatriation, and accidents. This insurance is included in our membership. 12

13 Nor matter which programme you chose we highly recommend subscribing a cancellation, loss or damage of luggage, flight delay insurance as well. Neither Cybelle Planète nor its partners can be held responsible for the fees that could have been covered by cancellation insurance. You can find more information about insurance on our website: Passport/Visa and country information For border regulation details please refer to our country specific travel information page: Specific recommendations Life conditions This is a rigorous project! It can involve trekking for up to 10 km/day over steep, slippery and sometimes densely forested jungle terrain with many prickly, thorny plants, and possibly 5 nights at a time sleeping in the forest. The climate is hot and humid and can be very wearing. You will sweat constantly and, while trekking, will be wet much of the time, but the views and surroundings are outstandingly beautiful and so is the wildlife, which makes the hard work all worthwhile. Contacts with orangutans There will be absolutely NO physical contact with the orangutans. If you are hoping to come so that you can cuddle one of these amazing creatures, then I am afraid this is not for you. Human contact is one of the major problems contributing to the health of the species, passing on and introducing new viruses and bacteria that they are not able to combat, therefore potentially wiping out wild populations. This rule will be strictly enforced if necessary. We also cannot guarantee encounters with orangutans our research focuses on wild orangutans and much of our work therefore takes place in areas where the orangutans themselves can be quite elusive, often staying high up in the canopy or travelling to other areas where more fruit is in season. This is the reality of wildlife fieldwork. However, should you be lucky enough to catch even a short glimpse of one of these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat, the experience will certainly stay with you forever, and is worth the hard work. Cultural codes In Indonesia, you will find that the people are very friendly, and you will probably get more smiles on one street corner than you would get in the whole of London or New York. Good manners and a polite nature will get you by pretty well, together with the tips below: Always remember that you are acting as an ambassador for your home country, as well as for the project. You will be expected to respect the Indonesian culture, religion and lifestyle and not get into discussions about local politics or make too many critical comments about how you think things should work. All kinds of drugs are prohibited. Beer may be drunk but only in moderation, especially at our base as most of our neighbors are Muslims. The left hand is considered unclean, so you should avoid using it to eat, touch people, or give and receive money. You will need to use it to clean yourself after using the toilet as the locals do, to avoid blockages of paper. The feet are the lowest part of the body and should not be raised, the soles pointed at someone, or used to touch people with. Shoes should ALWAYS be removed before entering a house (including the project house and office!). It is not usually necessary to remove shoes to go into shops/local cafes/guesthouses but be guided by any evidence of a pile of shoes near the door! 13

14 Generally, try and follow what you see local people doing in relation to manners and good form. Dress code, especially for women, is very important and is to be respected at all times. It is not common practice to be romantic in public places between males and females. When interacting with locals of the opposite sex, keep in mind that what is normal in your country might be translated as an invitation to the locals. The project strongly advises against flirtation to avoid these misunderstandings. Indonesian people are forgiving towards tourists, but it is advisable to read a good travel guide on the country before coming out here. Sumatra is 95% Muslim. Many people are very religious, but many are also not so religious. Provided that you show people courtesy and respect, then they will act the same way towards you. It is not uncommon to be asked what religion you are. This is not a rude question and it is polite to offer an honest answer except, the project would advise that none is not an acceptable answer. It is best to say a religion of some kind, unless you want to offend. Indonesian women generally dress conservatively, though many have chosen to no longer wear the traditional head covering. Shoulders and knees are kept covered. ALL women at the project are expected to dress modestly, and it is not appropriate to wear bikinis or revealing clothes at the project base. A minimum should be t-shirts (shoulder-covering, not vest tops, preferably not too clingy and no plunging neck-lines) and knee-length shorts/full length sarong skirt/full length trousers. Mid-riffs should also be covered. Males should wear at least trousers or shorts at all times and certainly t-shirts when travelling on local buses. When going to Bukit Lawang for free time/to visit the feeding platform/go swimming or go out for the evening, etc., the dress code is slightly more relaxed as they are more used to tourists there. However, you will still need to travel there on the public bus, so you may want to take a change of clothes to put on when you get there if you want to dress up a bit or catch some sun! 14

15 Volunteer Application Form Please type the information requested below into a WORD document and it as an attachment to: info@cybelle-planete.org Full name: address: Requested Team Dates (first and second choices): Questions: Have you been on a similar expedition before? If so, please describe: Have you lived or travelled in a developing country? If so, please describe: What experience(s) have you had that reflect your adaptability to new situations and tolerance for living under very basic conditions (no running water, electricity, etc)? How would you describe your level of physical fitness? Do you engage in any regular form of physical exercise/activity/sports (please describe)? Volunteer Application Form, Orangutan Project page 1/2

16 Native language and any other languages spoken: Any special talents to offer (e.g. navigation, first aid, computer, wilderness survival etc)? Do you have any prior knowledge of field research or of the Indonesian region/culture? Do you currently have, or have you had, any medical problems? If yes, please specify. Introduce yourself to us (no more than 100 words please!): - why you have chosen this project and what you are hoping to get from it - your occupation and interests - other details about yourself that might be relevant and that you would like us to know PLEASE NOTE: The project requires a liability form to be completed and signed. A copy of this must be brought with you when you come to Indonesia, along with details of your travel insurance Volunteer Application Form, Orangutan Project page 2/2

17 Orangutan Project Health Statement To be completed by your doctor then scanned and ed to Volunteer s name: Expedition dates: Au médecin traitant Votre patient(e) va participer à une mission d écovolontariat portant sur l étude des Orang- Outan à Sumatra, Indonésie. Lors de cette expédition les écovolontaires vont devoir participer à des travaux de recherche dans un lieu très isolé, où les conditions climatiques sont extrêmes (fortes températures et humidité), et où les conditions de vie sont primaires (pas d électricité, eau chaude, toilettes modernes ). La condition physique et mentale de votre patient(e) va impacter sur les autres membres de l équipe dans le sens où tous les participants partagent les tâches et vivent ensemble. Afin de pouvoir éviter d éventuelles difficultés, nous vous demandons de bien vouloir nous décrire l état physique, médical, et émotionnel de votre patient. Merci de votre compréhension. Evaluation du l état physique du patient Depuis combien de temps suivez-vous votre patient? Age : Taille : Poids : Allergies? Préciser les allergies éventuelles Décrire les réactions allergiques Pression sanguine: Groupe sanguine: Votre patient a-t-il des problèmes orthopédiques? Votre patient a-t-il des problèmes respiratoires? Votre patient a-t-il des problèmes cardiaques? Votre patient a-t-il des problèmes gastro-intestinaux? Votre patient est-il fumeur? Combien de cigarettes/jour? Volunteer Application Form, Orangutan Project page 3/2

18 La santé de votre patient nécessite-telle un régime alimentaire particulier? Votre patient a-t-il des maladies chroniques? Votre patient a-t-il été hospitalisé ses 2 dernières années? Si oui, merci d en donner les raisons Préciser : Bonne Moyenne Faible Vue Ouïe Capacité de marche Capacité de marche en terrain accidenté Nage Etat du dos Capacité à porter Énergie et vigueur Endurance Agilité Equilibre et coordination Evaluation de l état psychologique du patient Votre patient a-t-il un problème d ordre psychologique ou mental? Votre patient suit-il actuellement un traitement psychologique ou psychiatrique? Volunteer Application Form, Orangutan Project page 4/2

19 Si oui, cela peut-il avoir une incidence sur sa participation dans un travail d équipe? Donner votre estimation globale sur la stabilité émotionnelle de votre patient : Date: J atteste avoir bien examiné (nom et prénom du patient) aujourd hui. Nous avons évalué ensemble la compatibilité émotionnelle et physique entre le patient et l expédition à laquelle il souhaite s engager. Compte tenu des réponses apportées je suggère que le patient est tout à fait qualifié pour participer à ce genre d expédition. Nom du Médecin: Signature Tampon/cachet Volunteer Application Form, Orangutan Project page 5/2