Communication between conservationists and scientists is crucial to moving forwards with orangutan conservation.
The many projects working to protect this endangered animal are doing an amazing job and to strengthen their work, contact between field projects, sanctuaries, zoos, academia and government in a range of countries, is crucial in moving forwards.
This consolidation of experts from a wide variety of Indonesian and Malaysian organisations improves their individual impact and empowers them to lead on conservation concerns with a united voice, enabling appropriate in-country solutions. As a One Health programme, OVAG utilises the orangutan example to provide participants skills in ecosystem health.
Participants have now, or will have in the future, direct input into conservation management at NGO-level individually and government-level collectively. OVAG is the only consistent wildlife medicine and One Health programme for post graduates endorsed by the Indonesian Veterinary Medical Association, thus providing official professional development as required by Indonesian law.
The network is based at the Universitas Gadjah Mada veterinary faculty and annual orangutan health workshops are hosted by field partner organisations. Other programme aspects are managed collectively through an elected committee.
In addition to the above organisations there is a core group that participate in OVAG:
- Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project, Frankfurt Zoological Society
- Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation
- International Animal Rescue
- Orangutan Information Centre
- Orangutan Foundation UK
- Centre for Orangutan Protection
- Orangutan Foundation International
- Vesswic
- Hutan
- Sabah Wildlife Department
- Universiti Putra Malaysia
Intermittent workshop participants include: Indonesian Veterinary Medicine Association; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine IPB; Veterinary Faculty, Syah Kuala University; Bukit Merah Orangutan Sanctuary; Zoo Negara; Jogjakarta Wildlife Centre; Tasikoki Wildlife rescue Centre (Sulawesi); Aspinall Foundation Indonesia Programme; Semarang Zoo.
OUR TEAM OF EXPERTS WORK IN SIX REGIONS AROUND THE GLOBE – REPRESENTING SOME OF THE PLANET’S MOST BIODIVERSE HABITATS. Discover more about our SCIENCE AND CONSERVATION work.