With habitat loss the primary reason for loss of species worldwide, Zoos Victoria is supporting Fauna and Flora International's program in Sumatra which aims to protect part of the Gunung Lesueur National Park, where Sumatran Orang-utans, Sumatran Tigers, and Sumatran elephants all still survive.

Although much of the area is legally protected, the forest and its wildlife are still at risk from illegal poaching and logging. Using elephants as their flagship, this project engages local communities, government forest rangers, captive elephants and their mahouts in field-based activities that protect the forest, raise awareness amongst local communities about environmental issues and build community support for conservation.

Whilst species conservation (with a focus on Asian Elephants, Sumatran Orang-utans and Sumatran Tigers) remains a very important issue, the overall program is much broader, and if successful will contribute to the protection of one of the largest remaining pieces of forest in Sumatra, and the wildlife within.

The Project Focus

This project aims to conserve part of the the Gunung Lesueur National Park. At over 1.5 million ha this is the largest single remaining piece of forest on Sumatra and has very high biodiversity values, including populations of Asian Elephants, Orangutans, gibbons and Sumatran Tigers.

This project works with local communities to develop practical ways for them to conserve these protected forest areas and their wildlife whilst at the same time improving their livelihoods.

The Conservation Issue

Habitat loss and fragmentation is threatening the survival of species across the world. Combine this with unsustainable illegal poaching, and much of Sumatra's wildlife, including tigers, is under threat of extinction.

Habitat Loss & Fragmentation

Loss and fragmentation of habitat is perhaps the most important factor affecting many species in the wild. This is mainly driven by the pressures of human development, which has led to the clearing and conversion of forest habitat. Expanding populations as well as developing economic markets for products such as oil palm, rubber and sugar cane are replacing large tracts of tropical rainforest.

Whilst much of the forests occurring in this project site have been protected against conversion to oil palm or pulp wood plantations, illegal logging and clearance by encroaching farmers still threatens forest habitat.

Human-animal Conflict

The replacement of rainforest habitat with agriculture has led to the emergence of conflict between animals and humans. As their habitat becomes fragmented and degraded, many species come into more frequent contact with both domestic and commercial plantations and farms.

Trade

Continuing demand for ivory and tiger parts for medicine maintains the market value these species, attracting illegal poachers and traders to valuable tuskers. Animals within the parks are also at risk, not only from the loss of this habitat, but also from poaching for their prized bones, fur or skin or as a pet.

Our Conservation Field Partner

Fauna & Flora International (FFI) is the world's longest established international conservation body, founded over 100 years ago. Zoos Victoria has been supporting FFI's work in Sumatra to protect part of the Gunung Lesueur National since 2002 Park. By working with local communities and government agencies, FFI are building skills and capacity to protect this important habitat into the future.

Project Plan

By addressing the key threats of habitat loss, fragmentation and illegal poaching this project aims to protect not only Sumatran elephants, but the range of other animals including Sumatran Tigers and Sumatran Orang-utans, that are also under threat.

Based in the Gunung Lesueur National Park, the single largest remaining piece of forest in Sumatra, this project is supporting local communities and government forest rangers to protect these forests. It aims to achieve this through:

1. Working with local communities to establish livelihoods, which provide a sustainable alternative to destructive forest activities. This includes helping villages respond to intrusions by elephants, preventing the conflicts between humans & elephants that threaten elephant's survival;
2. Ensuring management and protection of the forest through elephant patrol- supported forest monitoring and through developing skills and capacity within local institutions; and
3. 3. Promoting community awareness and understanding of the value of the forest and their forest use rights and protection responsibilities.

Zoos Victoria's Role

Support of in situ conservation is a high priority for Zoos Victoria. Through our partnership with Fauna & Flora International we have provided significant support for their Sumatran Conservation Program. Much of this has been possible through the connections that our elephants, tigers and orang-utans create with the community. In addition, Zoos Victoria staff contribute directly to the project's activities and have participated in key project planning meetings in Sumatra, assisting to establish the priority activities of the project.

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