South East Asian Islands

Despite numerous threats, the myriad islands that make up the region known as South East Asia remain home to some of the most biodiverse habitats in the world. 

These encompass ancient rainforests, unique coastal environments, mangroves and mountain landscapes. 

These rich ecosystems support a great many species, many found nowhere else in the world. All of this is despite human activity impacting the natural world over the last century.

Here, vast stretches of rainforest have been replaced with crop monocultures stretching horizon to horizon. 

Habitats across South East Asian islands have been exploited for timber, minerals and agricultural expansion, while threatened species have been hunted or targeted by the wildlife trade.

We’re working in Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia, partnering with in-country conservationists and leading on our own projects, to address broad environmental issues and reverse threats to specific species.

Our Current Focus: 

In line with the ex-situ conservation breeding programmes we support at the zoo, we’re focusing on species like the Javan green magpie, Bornean orangutans, Komodo dragons and highly threatened wild cattle and pigs. 

We support partners on the ground, supporting research and building capacity for reforestation, backing conservation breeding centres, and advocating for species and landscape protection. 

Key campaigns include our work to protect Asian songbirds from the illegal wildlife trade, raising awareness for little known species and our Deforestation Free Commodities advocacy, policy and field work. 

Chester Zoo is also a core supporter of the Action Indonesia Global Species Management Plans for lowland anoa, banteng, babirusa and Sumatran tiger. Building on our own success with  these species at the zoo, we’ve delivered husbandry and conservation education training and resources to Indonesian zoos  to build capacity, strengthen public awareness and help them achieve healthy ex-situ populations