Witnessing the reintroduction of Orangutan in Bukit Batikap Conservation Forest, Central Kalimantan

It was a bright sunny day, just 2 more days for us to leave Bukit Batikap Conservation Forest, Central Kalimantan. Last night was our last observation for herpetofauna survey in this location. Since we had nothing to do, we were requested by BOSF to be involved as volunteers in releasing 8 Orangutan on that day, absolutely we love doing that!!. The released location is located in the downstream of Mosu river, 2 hours boating from the basecamp/Posu River. We went there early in the morning, around 7.30 we left base-camp. Earlier, two boats already gone to the location for some preparation. The sky was so blue and beautiful but the landscape view was quite boring since we have been here for almost three weeks. The view of a dark river water and forest standing along the river. We saw lots of bee hives hanging on big trees. That was a bad sign though for us since this creature has been bothering us everyday in the camp together with their relatives. As expected, the beach in which we had to wait the helicopter that carry the Orang Utan was already full of thousand schools of bees, wasps, flies and other unidentified annoying insects. They were so nasty and were not afraid to human, I got stung several time from below on the feet to the head. Most of us got stunk badly. But the spirit for conservation never goes down, for an only living planet

The First released of orangutan on 20 April 2014

The unique creatures from Bukit Batikap, Central Kalimantan

This post is about some creatures that we cannot identify during the amphibian survey in Central Kalimantan. Some of them are beautiful creatures and some are weird things. I posted some of the pictures and hoping somebody from anywhere could identify them and give a proper scientific name for them. This information could be important for someone who studies it. Or maybe, this pictures will admire somebody of what are there in the Heart of Borneo, beautiful creatures that rarely seen in other places. Just enjoy it. 

Long-nosed butterfly

Fully armed grasshopper

The worst flooding ever in the Bukit Batikaf Conservation Forest

The rain that started last night were lasting till morning. It was about at dawn,when we were woke up by Mbak Ike at around 4 am. She shouted out loud pointing at the ground to inform about the rising water from the river. Yes it was flooding, the water was rising up to 4-5 metres from the normal level of the river and totally flooded the camp. I was still struggling to wake up, retrieving my soul from my dream world. 

Involved in a serious conversation,
feels like nothing has happened

We were sleeping here a few hours ago

Everyone was busy saving and packing their stuffs out of the water. All electronic devices were lifted and transported using Ces (motor-boat) to a higher ground, close to helipad. Some of them already drowned and wet. Whilst the water level kept rising, it was under my knee at 4 am, and at 6 am had reached my waist and flooded the rest of the camp. That includes our bed which were made from plastic-sack which are supported by woods. Mas Adi, the camp manager stated that this was the worst flooding ever in this camp.