Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting Reserve, Kalimantan (Indonesian Borneo)
While eating lunch, the boat continued motoring upstream for another 2-1/2 hours before heading up a side creek to Camp Leakey. A definite difference in the water color as we approached the Sungai Sekoyner. The color changed from muddy brown to dark black due to tannin in this side creek. Incredible and gorgeous reflections...View image... in the black water along with some agile maneuvering by the captain. Pieces of land, branches and islands are continually breaking off and reforming. Each time we approached a stream-block, the "second mate" would grab a pole and try to break it apart so we could slip by...View image.
Dr. Birute Galdikas first came to Tanjung Puting Reserve, Indonesian Borneo in 1971 to study orangutans in their natural habitat. Not much was known about this African great ape at the time and Dr. Louis Leakey with the National Geographic Society helped Galdikas set up this research camp to conduct field studies. Dr. Galdikas became the "third Leakey angel" and a pioneer in orangutan ("Old man of the forest") study. She began by taking in rescued orangutans and studying their behavior and habits.
Orangutans are not only incredibly strong (could easily rip your head off...no exaggeration) but also the only truly arboreal apes, spending over 90% of their time in the trees. Visitors to any of the reserves in Tanjung Puting are not allowed to go to the feeding platforms without a ranger. Since these re-introduced-to-the-forest orangutans have no fear of humans, they will come right up to you and try to steal your backpacks or purses looking for food.
Quite a few klotoks were already tied up at Camp Leakey in preparation for the 2:00 p.m. feeding and we had to hop from boat to boat to reach the jetty. Boardwalk to an open area where tourists were milling around. Fery suggested walking over to the "banana kitchen" in case a few orangutans were hanging around. They are no dummies and know exactly where to find food. Sure enough, there they were, warming up with a few acrobatics in the trees...View image, climbing down electric poles, eyeballing the tourists...View image, and one wonderful orangutan mother with her baby appeared.
It was finally feeding time and the tourists followed the banana-toting ranger for a 20-minute, very hot walk to the Camp Leakey feeding platform. Boardwalk first, through the forest...View image, across an open area, and back into the forest again.
At the feeding platform, the rangers began spreading out the bananas, hooting and calling while visitors stood, or sat around, waiting...
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Comments
Hi,
I have travelled around that area but did not get to the camp.
How is the forest growth there when you visited?
www.barryacott.com
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit Travels With Sheila and comment. I didn't see any signs of rampant logging in this area but that certainly doesn't mean it isn't taking place. The Orangutans, however, are endlessly fascinating with the most wonderful personalities. Hope you enjoyed them as much as we did.
Here's wishing you a happy and healthy 2010 filled with prosperity. Best wishes, Sheila
Posted by: Barry Acott | December 28, 2009 09:12 PM