OuTrop's principal aim is to research the orang-utan population of Sebangau, Katingan, and Kahayan catchments in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. We are also undertaking complimentary research relating to the biodiversity, ecology, and regeneration of of these important peatland forests to inform policy decisions.

Our research objectives:

1. To collect primary information on the orang-utan population of the peatswamp forests of Central Kalimantan and threats to its integrity and survival. This includes:

monitoring of populations at the Setia Alam Field station (ongoing since 1995)

surveying areas of the Sebangau, Katingan and Kahayah catchments for orangutan density and assessment of forest cover/quality thus ground-truth satellite land cover information.

focusing conservation efforts on the Sebangau catchment and gain the areas inclusion in future orang-utan conservation action plans

2. To collect data on the biodiversity of the Sebangau catchment.This includes:

surveys of other primates including gibbon density surveys, surveys of small mammals, reptiles, birds and bats.

identifying indicator species for long-term monitoring of the state of the catchment.

3. To collect primary information on behavioural ecology of the orang-utan and gibbon population within deep peatswamp. This includes:

comparing feeding behaviour between orang-utans and gibbons (including food selection criteria, nutrient intake) and to assessing the evolutionary relevance for these sympatric apes.

4. To establish techniques for promoting forest generation in disturbed areas

5. Socio-economic research involving the local communities within the catchment, particularly outlying river communities.

6. To disseminate information as widely as possible in collaboration with British and Indonesian conservation groups

To view previous projects undertaken click here.

Research Facilities:

OuTrop's base in Indonesia is the "Centre for International Co-operation in Managment of Tropical Peatlands" (CIMTROP) at the University of Palangka Raya in Central Kalimantan. Field research is centred in the Natural Laboratory, a 500km square area designated as protected by the local government for the purposes of scientific research. The Setia Alam Field Station is situated 1km from the Sebangau River, 20km south-west of Palangka Raya, the provincial capital, and managed by CIMTROP, a collaboration programme between the British Universities of Nottingham and Leicester and the Indonesian University of Palangka Raya.