It was a real honour for us to be invited to attend the biannual Derby Eco-Fest, which was held at Markeaton park on the weekend of 19th/20th September.



Our stand was in the ‘Do One Thing for Wildlife’ marquee, and it was exciting to be surrounded by local advocates of conservation, whose aim is to educate the general public about what we can all do to promote a healthy environment for wildlife, on a both a local and a global level.



We are very grateful to Dawn Foote of Katapault, one of our orangutan volunteers, who has donated her beautiful photo art to raise funds for our wildlife and orangutan rehabilitation centres in Malaysia and Indonesia. Her colleague, Rhiannon, manned the stand, which drew crowds of orangutan aficionados and new converts alike. To view these beautiful pictures, please click on the following link


We were very fortunate that renowned artist, Jaq White, from Hertfordshire, donated an original work of art of a baby orangutan for our raffle, which was won by lucky Derbyshire resident, Mr. Stevenson. Here is a link through to some more of Jaq’s art. A percentage of her sales from this link will be donated to the orangutans. Many thanks, Jaq!

Our Rainforest Riddles quiz intrigued and amazed children and adults alike, and we had many suggestions as to how to make an orangutan happy! With a cracking score of 27, the winner of our T-shirt and bag is James aged 12, who wrote a beautiful and moving poem for the tie-break question, how do you make an orangutan happy. We wanted to share it with you, so here it is.

Give us trees to make our nests,
Free from man-made noise and pests.
Let us live up in the trees
Swaying gently in the breeze

Our babies need a forest home
With space to play and grow and roam,
With berries, fruit and lots of food –
These all help to lift our mood

The jungle gives us all we need;
Don’t take our homes for human greed.
Keep our forests safe and free
For us to live in harmony.

Thank you, James, for being the voice of the orangutan in its plea for help!!

Samuel also got 27 questions right, so we will also be sending him a T-shirt. For those of you, who would like to know the answers, please see below? Many thanks to all the children and parents who came to see us and who supported the cause of the orangutans!

Thank you, too, to Derby Council, for organising such a spectacular and pertinent event.





Fiona Gustafson

Labels: Derby Eco-Fest, matang wildlife centre, orangutan, orangutan volunteer

The Herts Advertiser has published a second article featuring our lovely Julie and The Great Orangutan Project!
Check it out online at....

Google News Alert for: orangutan

Video: Julie Ions took to the skies to raise money for Orangutans
Advertiser 24 - Welwyn Garden City,England,UK
WATCHING wild orangutans swinging between the trees of the lush Bornean jungle has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life so far. ...
See all stories on this topic

Labels: Borneo, conservation, dreams, fundraising, matang wildlife centre, nature, news, newspaper, orangutan, toothfairy, trees

Tom Makin, spent a month volunteering at Matang in May 2008 and returned to the UK determined to raise money for the project. In fact, so determined to fundraise for Matang, Makin is undertaking a 1000 mile bikeride across Britain.

In his own words;


"Follow me on my epic adventure to cycle 1000 miles in 15 days down the length of the UK from John o’grotes to Lands end to raise money for Matang Wildlife Park.

I spent a month living and working with Orangutans at Matang Wildlife Centre in Borneo and was completely captivated by the intelligence, beauty and fragility of our close evolutionary cousins.

Matang Wildlife Park focuses on the rehabilitation and release of Orangutans back into protected areas of natural rainforest. Those Orangutans that can't be put back are cared for and in many cases are used in breeding programs to sustain a fresh wild gene pool, vital for Orangutan survival.
This is a solo attempt which means i'll be alone with no support cars passing energy drinks out of the windows or cushy hotel spas at the end of each day, just me, my bike and hopefully a great deal of your support and donations to get me through the 70 mile per day average i need to achieve.

I have seen firsthand that any donations, no matter how big or small go a long way in Matang.

Please contact me for information on how to sponsor or donate"

To read more about Tom's efforts/donate to the project, see his Facebook page; "Follow my 1000 mile cycle ride to save Matang's Orangutans" or email him on tmakin@legionallacontrol.com. Good luck Tom!

Labels: cycling, fundraising, matang wildlife centre, orangutan, orangutan rehabilitation centre, orangutans, trip

Welcome to my new blog. I have set this up to enable others to contribute and suggest ways that we can work together to fundraise the £32k needed to set up a new volunteer programme at an orangutan rehabilitation centre in Indonesia.

A team has been pulled together, consisting of volunteers who have spent time previously at Matang Wildlife Centre.

Robert Franklin
Nicola Clark
Elaine Purvis
Steve Jackson
Michelle Stevens
Hanna Kuiken
Kay Tompkins

Between them they have a target of £32,000 to raise. Over the coming days / weeks we will be posting details of events etc where you can help us, even if it is only by coming and along and showing your support.

If you have any ideas on ways that we can raise this money then please do contact us either by leaving a message on this blog, or calling any of the team on 01582 469950.

Orangutans need your help.....

Labels: indonesia, matang, matang wildlife centre, orangutan, orangutan rehabilitation centre