AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

7 March 2007

Saving the critically endangered Sumatran orang utan

A lecture by Dr Peter Pratje, Director, Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project (SOCP)

Saturday 17 March, 6pm - 8pm. Unitec Lecture Theatre 1018 (Building 23) Carrington Road, Mt Albert.

On 17 March, Aucklanders have the unique opportunity to meet and hear Sumatran-based Dr Peter Pratje talk on the critical situation for wild orang utans, and his organisation's work to help save them from extinction.

Auckland Zoo, through the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund, has been supporting the work of the Sumatran Orang utan Conservation Project (SOCP) since 2001 and, with the support of Unitec New Zealand, is delighted to present this lecture.

The Sumatran orang utan population has plummeted to 7000 animals, causing this great ape (whose genetic make-up is 97 per cent similar to humans) to be listed as critically endangered by the IUCN (World Conservation Union).

"The situation for orang utans is desperate, but SOCP is doing amazing work, and deserves support," says Auckland Zoo senior primate keeper, Christine Tintinger, who worked alongside Dr Pratje in 2003 – work experience that was filmed, and later screened on The Zoo television series.

"Peter’s talk is relevant for everyone, and we hope that anyone with an interest in protecting wildlife and the environment, will come along. Along with the illegal trade of infant orang utans, the production of palm oil (contained in many everyday products we buy) remains the biggest threat to the survival of this magnificent animal. As consumers, this makes us all connected to the problem and the crisis," says Ms Tintinger, who will introduce Dr Pratje.

Over 90 per cent of both Sumatran and Bornean orang utan habitat has been decimated by illegal logging and the growth of palm oil plantations. Orang utans are only found in Borneo (Malyasia) and Sumatra (Indonesia) – also the world’s largest producers and exporters of palm oil. Found in everything from margarine to beauty products, palm oil is forecast to be the world’s most produced and internationally traded edible oil by 2012. If the current growth in palm oil plantations continues, orangutans will be extinct in the wild in less than 10 years.

SOCP’s roles encompass rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing ‘ex-pet’ animals, public education, research and monitoring, and habitat protection. To support the Indonesian authorities in their struggle to enforce the law and save the orang utan, SOCP started a reintroduction programme for orang utans in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park in Jambi province, and has to date successfully released over 70 animals into this, the largest protected area of lowland forest in Sumatra.

Tickets: $20 per person (includes refreshments) can be purchased by phoning the Auckland Zoo Information Centre on (09) 360 3805. Door sales will also be available. For lecture theatre directions, visit www.unitec.ac.nz

Note: Lecture will be from 6pm to 7pm, followed by open forum and refreshments. All proceeds to the Auckland Zoo Conservation Fund – supporting field conservation projects locally and internationally.

Ends

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