World Wildlife Day
HAPPY WORLD WILDLIFE DAY!
March 3rd, 2016 is World Wildlife Day. A day to celebrate the wonderful creatures we share our planet with. Our organization is dedicated to a holistic approach, empowering low-income communities nested in critical ecosystems who often rely on the harvest of wildlife and forest resources, just to survive.
In 2016, we are working with a lot of important species...
1) The Critically Endangered Abbotti's Cockatoo
Planet Indonesia has partnered with the Indonesian Parrot Project to help conserve this critically endangered species. Currently, it is estimated only ~20 are left in the wild. We are working to conserve this species's habitat, reforest important coastal areas, and work with communities to build new livelihoods to decrease the illegal trade of this species.
2) THE ENDANGERED BORNEAN GIBBONS
In 2016, Planet Indonesia, with funding from the ARCUS foundation, will begin working with the Bornean Gibbons (subspecies abbotti) in Gunung Niut Nature Reserve. This endangered species has shown a 50% decrease in population size over the past 45 years from habitat loss and poaching.
3) THE ENDANGERED BORNEAN ORANGUTAN
Photo: Chelsea Call
One of the most iconic species in the world, the Bornean Orangutan is an highly threatened and in decline. Over the past 60 years the population has shown a 50% decrease in size, mainly attributed to poaching, illegal logging, and habitat loss. It is currently estimated between 45,000-69,000 are left in the wild, and disappearing at an alarming rate. Planet Indonesia is focusing on the most endangered subspecies (pygmaeus) which no more than 8,000 still exist in the wild.
Photo: Chelsea Call
4) THE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED HELMETED HORNBIll
The Helmeted Hornbill is the symbol of Western Borneo. Planet Indonesia is on an IUCN working group to conserve this critically endangered species. We worked together with a number of partners to up-list this species to Critically Endangered. The total population size for this species is unknown, but the rich ivory bill has caused this species to explode on the global wildlife market.
5) OVER 150 SPECIES OF SONGBIRDS
Planet Indonesia is the sole organization working in West Kalimantan to fight the illegal bird trade. In our most recent survey, we found over 4500 birds for sale in 75 different markets throughout the region. There were over 80 different species for sale. Planet Indonesia is a active member in a Songbird Crisis Working Group, a coalition of organization's working to fight the wild bird trade in Southeast Asia.