ANIMAL PROTECTION
Our ranger
Dedy, Kendro and Pacolok ensure more peace between orangutans, tigers and humans.
Rare animals in the rainforest
BIODIVERSITY ON SUMATRA
Sumatra, the sixth largest island in the world, is a paradise of biodiversity and home to numerous impressive animal species.
These include endemic species, i.e. they are unique in the world and only occur in this region. These include the Sumatran tiger, the critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, the orangutan and many other unique species such as the tapir and the Sunda pangolin. These animals play a crucial role in the ecological balance, for example by controlling the populations of other species and contributing to forest regeneration.
The dense rainforests of Sumatra not only provide habitats, but are also important ecosystems that regulate the global climate by storing large amounts of carbon. They are also sources of numerous medicinal plants and other resources. Unfortunately, these habitats are increasingly threatened by deforestation, poaching and palm oil plantations.
The protection of these species and their habitats is crucial for the conservation of global biodiversity and the long-term health of the planet. Conservation measures such as protected areas, reforestation and sustainable land use are essential to preserve Sumatra’s unique biodiversity for future generations.
ENDANGERED ANIMALS FROM SUMATRA
Orangutan
Thanks to their long and strong arms and legs, orangutans can move quickly from one branch to another. With fruits as their main food and trees as their home, the existence of the rainforests is very important for Sumatran orangutans.
In the past, Sumatran orangutans lived in all parts of Sumatra and some parts of Java. Now they can only be found in the northern part of the island of Sumatra. The population of Sumatran orangutans has continued to decline in recent decades. The main factors include poaching and massive land clearing for palm oil plantations.
Sumatran Tiger
Of the six subspecies of tiger, Sumatran tigers have the smallest body size, yet they still need a huge territory (approx. 250 km² for each individual!). As their habitat is becoming increasingly crowded, it is not uncommon for Sumatran tigers to invade villages and cause human-animal conflicts.
In 2022, only fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers live in their natural habitat.
The decline in the Sumatran tiger population is caused by poaching as well as their increasingly scarce habitat. Up to 10 Sumatran tigers are killed by poachers every year.
Sumatran rhinoceros
Sumatran rhinos are also the smallest of their species. With their long hair, they don’t look like their Javanese and African siblings. Their diet is very diverse: up to 100 plant species!
Unfortunately, as with most other rhino species, their population continues to decline, mainly due to poaching. Today there are only 80 Sumatran rhinos left in the wild.
Over the last 20 decades, the Sumatran rhino population has declined by 70 %. This is also exacerbated by their low reproductive rate: female Sumatran rhinos only give birth every three to five years.
Sumatran elephants
Sumatran elephants are very good eaters. They consume up to 230 kg of plants and 160 liters of water every day. However, their poor digestion means that they have to go to the loo almost every hour. Yes, thanks to our giant rainforest gardeners, the tropical forest floor is covered with natural fertilizer. Sumatran elephants are also very social and live in groups. Each elephant herd consists of 20 to 35 elephants, led by the oldest female elephant.
Today, there are only around 2,400 to 2,800 Sumatran elephants left.
Their population has been greatly reduced by poaching in recent decades and their habitat continues to shrink. The shrinking of their habitat is also causing them to invade settlements and villages. Human-animal conflicts are then unavoidable.
HUMAN-ANIMAL CONFLICT
If the living space dwindles, there is not enough room for peaceful coexistence.
Man and the animal. Two fierce rivals in a battle for survival that has raged for thousands of years. Humans are clearly ahead. The development of social structures and technologies, such as weapons, put him at the top of the food chain. Without natural enemies, humans can reproduce unhindered. The result is an immense spread across the entire planet. Both parties are therefore forced to meet – conflicts are inevitable.
The two of them run riot, especially in the buffer zones of the tropics, which form the transition between the deep rainforest and human civilization. Human activity in the buffer zone of Gunung Leuser National Park on Sumatra is increasing rapidly. Settlements are built and entire areas are cleared for agricultural use.
First and foremost, the animal suffers: Its habitat is taken away, many species become extinct and it becomes more difficult to obtain food. They must therefore move to the areas that humans have claimed for themselves. Human fields and livestock have to be used for this. This in turn ensures that food is taken away from humans and therefore harms them.
As a result, there are more and more reports of conflicts between humans and wild animals in Sumatra. Orangutans, for example, climb trees in the fields and steal fruit. But the endangered Sumatran tiger also finds its food in the fields and feeds on free-ranging human animals.
However, conflicts are often not just about food, but also about the defense of territory. On Sumatra, humans and tigers in particular face each other. There are repeated reports of dead tigers, but also dead people. And all because they set foot in the “wrong” area.
The conflict between humans and small animals often fades into the background, but is just as present and harmful. People take away the basis of life and in response diseases are transmitted or crops are destroyed.
Is there no peace?
To resolve the conflict between the animals of Sumatra and the local residents, it is important to protect endangered species and provide them with a habitat while at the same time taking the needs of the locals into account. Sumatra’s ranger patrols are already standing up for this.
Humans and animals basically want the same thing: To survive and reproduce. So they are not all that different. However, we humans must ensure that the animals have a chance to do so. Not always taking what we want and constantly spreading ourselves thin, but also showing consideration from time to time. Then this conflict does not arise in the first place. Rather, this is the only way to secure life on this planet. If we lose too many species, it will be immensely detrimental to humans and their life on this planet.
ANIMAL PROTECTION
RANGER
PATROUILLE
Dedy, Kendro and Pacolok are looking for sustainable solutions to protect and conserve endangered species through education, involvement and support of local communities and various conservation programs.
For this reason, Project Wings financed the training and equipment of the ranger patrol, consisting of 3 people, in 2019. Since then, we have been supporting Care Sumatra on a monthly basis to patrol the buffer zone, remove traps, set up camera traps for observation, curb illegal poaching and find peaceful solutions to the human-animal conflict. Orangutans, Sumatran tigers and many other endangered animal and plant species are being closely monitored in order to develop sensible solution strategies.
This is why they patrol the buffer zone 14 days a month and are available to farmers and locals at all times in the event of tiger attacks or similar incidents. Together, we develop peaceful solutions for humans and animals to ensure that both sides can live together in harmony.
ANIMAL PROTECTION
ANIMAL
RESCUE
In many places, dogs are considered unclean in Muslim culture, yet in our project region they guard the homes and yards of some residents. Since hardly anyone there can cover the costs of sterilization, deworming, vaccinations or flea shampoos, Conny, Rudi and Hendra have dedicated themselves to these faithful four-legged friends – with food and medical care.
In the meantime, around 45 dogs have been neutered, dewormed, vaccinated and freed from heavy flea infestations. A further 70 cats have also been neutered. Rudi and Hendra visit other dog owners and offer them free medical care for their dogs. Her team also looks after numerous cats – especially kittens, which would have little chance of survival without their mother. There is even a children’s cat sponsorship project! Here, school fees including materials are covered if children look after certain cats.
Project Wings supports them in their project by financing the team’s salaries and a dog enclosure. All other costs are borne by Conny.
That’s not it yet!
What else are we doing for animal welfare?
Reforestation
We plant fruit trees! More habitat means more food for herbivores and carnivores.
Clean Up
A clean environment measurably improves the quality of life. From humans and animals!
Environmental education
If children and adults know how to treat their environment sustainably, the animals will already be helped!
Garbage collection
It is becoming increasingly common for animals to eat indigestible plastic waste in their search for food.
We at Project Wings also care about animals. We are therefore committed to animal welfare in various ways. We are particularly active in Sumatra. But our work in Germany also promotes the protection of animals and their habitat. In this way, we too can contribute to the preservation of biodiversity.
Animal welfare - what is it?
According to German law, the aim of animal welfare is to protect the life and well-being of animals. This includes all activities that contribute to providing animals with a species-appropriate life. A life adapted to natural living conditions. A life without suffering, fear and damage – inflicted by humans. And death should also be painless.
In Germany, animal welfare is enshrined in the Animal Welfare Act and the German Constitution. Twenty years ago, animal welfare was also declared a national objective.
Animal welfare takes place at various levels. And so here, too, every club and every organization has different priorities and goals that they pursue. But no matter which activity and in which country, ultimately they all have the same goal. Animals must be protected from humans.
What does Project Wings do for animal welfare?
We at Project Wings are also committed to animal welfare. For us, this also includes protecting the rainforest on Sumatra. This is a habitat for countless animals. Also for animals that are threatened with extinction.
To counteract deforestation and monocultures, we are committed to reforestation, permaculture and sustainable agriculture. The local team plants trees and carries out important educational work.
To directly protect the animals, rangers regularly patrol the transition between the rainforest and the settlement. Traps are removed, observations are made and documented, injured animals are nursed back to health and released into the wild.
Our rangers seek peaceful solutions to resolve conflicts between animals and humans in order to ensure the protection of the animals. But the exchange with people is not neglected here either. Affected farmers are shown how they can protect themselves and their crops without harming the animals.
In all measures, it is important to involve local people and create an understanding for the protection of animals. This is the only way we can ensure that the protection of animals and the rainforest becomes a matter of course.
In Germany, we primarily carry out awareness-raising and educational work. But we also use our media presence to showcase our work on the ground and highlight grievances. In this way, we can reach people here in Germany and provide a platform for the topic of animal welfare.
Why is animal welfare important?
Animal protection laws do not exist in every country. And even if these exist, it does not mean that they are acted upon. This quickly becomes clear when you look at the work of animal rights activists or the media.
Animals quickly become victims of humans. Humans are superior to animals due to evolution. He puts himself and his needs above those of the animal. Because he himself comes first.
Factory farming is just one link in an endless chain of disregard for animal welfare. All over the world, animals are exploited for the “benefit” of humans. They are mistreated, persecuted and killed for the sheer joy of it. The fact that people hunt animals, species threatened with extinction, and proudly hold them up to the camera as trophies shows how barbaric mankind is. And it shows that in many places laws have no effect if there is no punishment that is sufficient to stop people’s behavior. Humans place themselves above animals. He sees the animal as an object.
Animals are intelligent and sentient beings.
But it is not only the animal itself that suffers. But the habitat of many animals is also giving way to human greed. Animal habitats are being destroyed and plundered all over the world. This is also the case in Sumatra.
This has serious consequences. Not just for the animals. But also for people and our environment. Because we live in a system. And in this system, our actions always have an impact on other areas. And then again on us as humans.
Deforestation and monocultures lead to animals being driven further and further away from their natural habitat. They lack space to live, food and ultimately protection from predators and humans. Humans are closing in on the animal. And so it comes to the Human Animal Conflict. This has negative consequences for both sides. An effect that people can feel directly.
In the long term, however, the decline in animal populations and biodiversity has an impact on our entire ecosystem and also on us as humans. Because we are part of this system.
Animals can defend themselves to a certain extent. But ultimately they are powerless against human weapons. Animals cannot stand up for their rights themselves. That is why it is important that they stand up for the rights of animals and give them a voice. Nor can they protect their habitat themselves. Because they don’t stand a chance against the heavy machines.
What can you do for animal welfare?
Would you like to stand up for animals? Give the animals your voice? Would you like to do your bit to ensure that animals have a dignified and species-appropriate life?
Then take action now. Give the animals your voice. And stand up for animals and their habitat. The protection of endangered species is particularly important.
You can already make your contribution when you go shopping. Because your shopping list is always also a ballot paper. Simply avoiding animal products helps to protect animals and their habitats. But it’s also worth taking a look at the ingredients in your products.
Buy regional products. And make sure that there is no palm oil in the products. This is because it is usually grown in monocultures. And rainforests are cleared for cultivation.
Support existing aid organizations and projects that are committed to the protection of animals and their habitats. Together we can achieve a lot.
Donate now for animal welfare and the preservation of endangered habitats. Your support arrives.
With your help we can raise awareness in Germany and Sumatra. We can find solutions to the human-animal conflict and enter into an exchange with people. With the help of our rangers, we can curb poaching in our area and give animals a home. At the same time, we are also committed to people and nature.