Update on OFI

Below is an update from OFI Volunteer Coordinator Susan Labandibar:

Dear friends from the OFI tour,

Soon it will be a one year ago that we journeyed together into remote Kalimantan.  I am still reliving every moment of the trip, from the dawn’s first glimpse of the proboscis monkeys staring at us from the trees, to the musky smell of the baby orangutans clinging to us as we walked to the forest.

I’m grateful to be helping Janie Dubman, the girl who fought to save the red leaf monkeys at the Care Center.  Janie is at the Care Center right now, leading a group of super-motivated volunteers who are building walkways so that more orangutans can spend time in the forest.  Recruiting volunteers has been easier than I expected.  After this cohort of volunteers, there are two others, one in late July and one in August. Each is almost full, but we could still use a few more hardy souls.  If you know anyone who might be interested, let me know.

There are also some long-term volunteer positions.  These include an Enrichment Coordinator to help provide stimulation for the orangutans at the Care Center, a Communications Officer to write newsletters and update orangutan adoptions materials, and an assistant to Dr. Galdikas who travels with her.  We’ve had great success finding caring people who want to fill these roles.  Among them is Alison Ashbury.  A recent graduate of Victoria University in British Columbia, she will soon join Dr. Galdikas to spend a year traveling with her.

I have also helped Dr. Galdikas purchase some land.  Here is one of the most recent GIS maps of the area.  The yellow line indicates the area that the Indonesian government has allocated for palm oil.  The brown area is where Dr. Galdikas is fighting back.  The land Dr. Galdikas purchased with my donation is the one on the map directly adjacent to a palm oil plantation.

Finally, I have saved the best news for last.  In less than a year, a 3D film featuring Dr. Galdikas and the Care Center will be out in all of the IMAX theatres!  Here is a description of the film:

Born to be Wild 3D takes moviegoers on an all new IMAX® 3D adventure to the lush rainforests of Borneo and the rugged savannah of Kenya  to experience up close the incredible and intimate story of two adorable yet endangered species and the trailblazing heroes saving them from extinction – one infant at a time. This heart-warming tale follows vulnerable and irresistibly lovable baby orangutans and elephants that have lost their families and must rely on the kindness and dedication of extraordinary individuals who lead them on a truly amazing journey from rescue and rehabilitation to their triumphant release into the wild. This is an inspiring look at family, friendship, compassion and the place where human kindness intersects with the animal kingdom.

As part of the run-up to the film, we are launching a new website and planning a speaking tour.  If you would like to help arrange for Dr. Galdikas to speak in your area, please let me know.

There is so much else to tell you!  To find out about our volunteer calls, or to see more great pictures of orangutans, look for your invitation to join OFI Club in your inbox.  OFI Club is our OFI volunteer-only website.   I look forward to getting updates from all of you.

Sincerely,

Susan Labandibar

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