Kalaweit
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Mission Statement
Kalaweit is a non-profit organization (French law 1901) created in 1998. The founder of the project, Chanee, is a Frenchman passionate by primates. Kalaweit means "Gibbon" in Dayak (language of the natives of Borneo), while "Chanee" also means gibbon, but in Thai language. Kalaweit mission is the conservation of gibbons and their environment in Indonesia. In Indonesia, forests are burnt down by palm oil companies, leaving little chance to the wildlife. Furthermore, young gibbons are taken from the wild to be used as pets, and their parents killed. But then, reaching sexual maturity, they can become aggressives and, in turn, often killed by their owners. Gibbons and orangutans are endangered species, but, unlike orangutans, there was no conservation program for gibbons before Kalaweit initiative in Borneo and Sumatra (Indonesia). website : kalaweit.org
About This Cause
Description of Kalaweit. Introduction to the organization: Kalaweit works for the conservation of gibbons and the protection of their environment in Indonesia. Gibbons are part of the ape family. The organization was created in 1998 by Chanee, a French man passionate by primates since his childhood. He lives in Borneo since then. Kalaweit is the world biggest conservation program for gibbons. Kalaweit is sponsored by the French comedian and humorist Muriel Robin. Kalaweit is a non-profit organization, operating only thanks to donations. Its annual budget is approximately € 600,000.00. Kalaweit receives its funding from foundations, other non-profit organizations, animal parks, private companies and individual supporters. Kalaweit needs to collect more donations to protect wildlife and forests in Indonesia, and hire qualified personnel on site. State of play: Indonesia suffers of mass deforestation, one of the worst in the world. This country has already lost 72 percent of its forests, principally due to intensive palm oil production. Indonesia is the world’s largest producer of palm oil, with about 15 million hectares of land licensed for palm oil development. Borneo and Sumatra islands - where live gibbons, bears, orangutans, elephants, rhinoceros, tigers (Sumatra), proboscis monkeys (Borneo) – are devastated by this mass deforestation. Consequently, wildlife trafficking spreads. Going on this way, soon, these species won’t have enough viable forest for them to survive. It’s a real priority to preserve what’s left. By rescuing and rehabilitating orphaned and injured wildlife from trafficking, by purchasing forest areas and creating biodiversity reserves, Kalaweit is one of the major actor of this preservation in Indonesia. With 17,000 islands, the Indonesian archipelago houses a large number of endemic species; and if nothing is done today to protect them, they are doomed to disappear. Corruption makes it difficult to apply laws. In these conditions, forests are rarely protected and wildlife trafficking thrives. On Borneo and Sumatra, Kalaweit in actions: - Buy forest areas to create wildlife reserves that allow wild gibbons population and other animals to live safely on a long term basis. - Protect wild animals in its care centers, mainly are gibbons and siamangs. Some of them will be released while the majority will stay at Kalaweit. - Ensure monitoring and surveillance of its reserves with equestrian and aerial patrols (seaplane, paramotor, drone). - Educate and bring awareness to local population. Kalaweit team: Made of about 65 local workers (all Indonesian): animal keepers, veterinarians, administrative staff, forest guards, cooks etc. There is also one liaison employee in France. Gibbons: There are 17 species of gibbons, spread out in South-East Asia. Gibbons are part of the ape family but are the fastest and most agile of all tree-dwelling, nonflying mammals. Only living in trees, deforestation makes him more vulnerable than orangutans. Gibbons are strictly monogamous, one couple living on a territory of about 12 hectares (30 acres) minimum. They are strongly territorial, and defend their boundaries with vigorous visual and vocal displays, not sharing with any other gibbons. They can live up to 35-40 years. Kalaweit staff tries to pair the rescued gibbons. Some of them, too much traumatized by their captivity, stay alone with no chance to be released. Only solid couples may be freed. Releasing a gibbon alone means sentence it to death. A medical checkup is given to each rescued animal looking for health issues or wounds to be treated. To adapt to his new life, a long acclimation will be necessary. Gibbons trafficking: Gibbons are protected by law, possession and captivity are prohibited. In Indonesia, baby gibbons are often given to children as living dolls. To kidnap a young gibbon, the mother must be killed. Consequently, the father is condemned as well, attacked by other gibbons. Alone, he cannot protect his territory and may starve to death. Animal victims of trafficking have a very high mortality rate due to poor captivity conditions. They often die around 7 year-old, when reaching their sexual maturity. This driving them uncontrollable, they are sometimes even killed by their owners. Local authorities are empowered to seize them, but strong corruption makes it difficult. More than 6,000 gibbons are illegally owned just on Borneo, Sumatra and Java islands. From year to year, Kalaweit became a reference in Indonesia. Nature conservation and biodiversity protection are at their beginning. By its innovative ideas (fun radio broadcast, TV shows etc) and its popularity, Kalaweit educates young generations who identify with the organization image. Kalaweit protects more and more forests each year, therefore funding need to be diversified. Benevity allows Kalaweit to reach worldwide supporters. Thank you very much for your support !