Conservation of Slow Lorises in Sumatra

The Kukang Rescue Program

We are zoologists and conservationists fighting the illegal trade in wild animals and especially striving to protect the greater slow loris (Nycticebus coucang) and Sumatran slow loris (Nycticebus hilleri) - poisonous primates that fall victim to their cuteness. We have been running a non-profit organization on the island of Sumatra in Indonesia since 2014, within which we have built a rescue and rehabilitation centre for confiscated slow lorises in order to return them to the wild. We work with local communities on several levels. We educate local children in whom we develop a positive attitude towards nature. We employ former poachers, who are now our field assistants. We are also transforming local farmers into conservationists by supporting the “Kukang Coffee” eco-friendly coffee project. In addition, we help them peacefully resolve conflicts with wild animals. The main purpose of all our efforts is to reduce the rate of illegal trade (not only) in slow lorises, and thus protect the population of (not only) these endangered animals in the wild.

Program Goals

Cooperation with local government agencies on wildlife conservation and on the enforcement of laws on slow loris protection.

Operation of a rescue and rehabilitation centre for slow lorises confiscated from the black market.

Setting up an Indonesian team that will implement most of the slow loris conservation activities.

Raising awareness about the illegal trade in animals and about the conservation of slow lorises.

Cooperation with and support of local communities.

Securing a sustainable population of slow lorises in human care, i.e. ex situ.

"Kukang Coffee" Project

We have created a community of farmers who enforce a ban on hunting protected species of animals, and in return, we buy coffee from them at a higher price.

Building a so-called Slow Loris Noah‘s Ark

Through cooperation on the establishment of breeding centres for Pygmy slow lorises within modern zoos, we are trying to support the stabilization of a sustainable backup population of this species in human care, i.e. ex situ.

Establishment of the first rescue centre in Sumatra specializing in slow lorises

By building this specialized centre, we enabled the rehabilitation of confiscated slow lorises with the aim of returning them back to the wild.

Construction and equipment of a school called "School at the End of the World"

We responded to a request from a community from the village of Basukum and helped them build their own English-environmental school for children.

Organizing educational events

We raise awareness about the threat and protection of slow lorises and nature as a whole in various ways, in schools and in public, both offline and online.

Creation and equipment of two eco-libraries

We build and strengthen children's relationships with animals, nature and environmental protection through beautiful picture books and eco-activities.

Operation of the English-Environmental School

We teach children from the partner community free of charge English and in Indonesia a neglected but much needed environmental education.

Building a Czech-Indonesian team

We strive to ensure that slow lorises, other wild animals, and their nature as such in Indonesia are professionally protected by Indonesians themselves.

Helping farmers resolve their conflicts with wild animals

We discuss with farmers and advise them on how they can protect their crops from wild animals without having to injure or kill them.

Monitoring of nocturnal wild animals

Thanks to the long-term recording of observed animals on marked routes according to a given methodology, we estimate the size of the populations of specific species in the given territory.

Installing camera traps

Monitoring of wild animals is used to estimate their abundance. Camera traps are an additional monitoring method we use.

Addressing the issue of waste and pollution

We are implementing practical solutions to the issue of waste in partner villages and in the rescue centre - from the reduction of plastics to waste-water treatment plants.

Stolen Wildlife

Illegal trade in animals and their body parts is one of the main causes of wild animals becoming endangered. A problem and responsibility of Asia, Africa or America? Yes, of course, but also European states are to blame, and so are even many citizens of the Czech Republic. You don’t believe it? You can now learn more thanks to the new, unique campaign named Stolen Wildlife. Stolen Wildlife is the first complex campaign in the Czech Republic, disclosing often overlooked facts about illegal wildlife trade.

I Am Not Your Toy!

The "I Am Not Your Toy!" campaign, yet another activity of The Kukang Rescue Program, is focused against the popularization of slow lorises as pets on the internet. This is most often done through "cute" videos on YouTube and by sharing videos and photos on social networks. It has already been proven that these videos have a direct impact on the illegal trade in slow lorises, i.e. they support it. The aim of the campaign is to inform the general public about the real background of these videos. Help us spread this information - together we can join forces and use the increasingly popular social networks and websites to raise awareness about wildlife protection.

The Kukang Rescue Program

Program Goals

Program Activities

"Kukang Coffee" Project

Building a so-called Slow Loris Noah‘s Ark

Establishment of the first rescue centre in Sumatra specializing in slow lorises

Construction and equipment of a school called "School at the End of the World"

Organizing educational events

Creation and equipment of two eco-libraries

Operation of the English-Environmental School

Building a Czech-Indonesian team

Helping farmers resolve their conflicts with wild animals

Monitoring of nocturnal wild animals

Installing camera traps

Addressing the issue of waste and pollution

The story of coffee, that protects nature

Stolen Wildlife

I Am Not Your Toy!

Contact

Spokeswoman

Director of Program

Chair of the Indonesian PATRON Foundation

Account for Donors

PATRON Foundation

Main Partners

Partners

Memberships

Supporters