wrc jogja: volunteer’s guide kit - ecoteer...

Know-Before-You- Go Guide – WRC Jogja

WRC JOGJA: Volunteer’s Guide Kit

INTRODUCTION

The centre began operation in 2003 and was named Jogja Wild Animal Rescue Centre (Pusat

Penyelamatan Satwa Jogja / PPSJ). It was one of the 7 wildlife rescue centres built by The

Gibbon Foundation for encouraging law enforcement against the illegal trade of protected

wildlife. Its aim is to take care of protected wildlife that have been involved in confiscation

operations. The centre also takes wild animals that are submitted by the community / private

owner.

But in 2007 the centre failed because of many reasons, one being the lack of donations. During

the years of 2007 – 2010 the lack of funding to support the daily operation of PPSJ, caused

many animals to suffer due to a lack of care, and many broken enclosures.

Since June 2010, PPSJ has been under new management - Yogyakarta Nature Conservation

Foundation (Yayasan Konservasi Alam Yogyakarta). The foundation is a non-profit and non-

government organization for Indonesian wildlife conservation, led by Gusti Kanjeng

Mangkubumi – The Princess of Yogyakarta Sultanate. Yogyakarta Nature Conservation

Foundation registered at The Ministry of Law and Human Right Republic of Indonesia as a legal

foundation in Indonesia, and also has permission as a conservation organization from The

Ministry of Forestry Republic of Indonesia.

With the permission from the Ministry of Forestry Republic of Indonesia, the field project of

Yayasan Konservasi Alam Yogyakarta has been given a new name: Wildlife Rescue Centre –

WRC Jogja.

WHERE THE WILD ANIMALS COME FROM?

Wildlife in WRC Jogja have been approved by the government and its law enforcement

operations in illegal wildlife trade and ownership. The centre is registered with the wildlife rescue

operations at the Province of Central Java and Yogyakarta Special Region. Some animals are

submitted by people or owners that have developed awareness about wildlife.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN ACTIVITIES THE RESCUE CENTRE NOW?

Because of the collapse in 2007, the consequential lack of funding from 2007 – mid 2010, the

change of management and the re-structure in 2010, the centre had to start from basics.

Firstly, the centre’s main role is to develop programmes for wildlife rehabilitation. Programmes

for this include; confiscations/ law enforcement – as the partner of the government,

education/advocacy and awareness. We have already started developing programmes;

however, currently, there are limited funds allocated for these activities.


Secondly, WRC Jogja is currently trying to obtain financial continuity for operational income;

being able to feed the wildlife every day, repair inadequate cages, guarantee salaries for the

staff, etc. We are still working hard to complete this phase. WRC Jogja Volunteer Program is

one of our income sources, and is very important for the centre.

OUR MISSION

To rehabilitate animals rescued from illegal trade and release specific animals through our

release program. To stop illegal trade through education programs and awareness campaigns.

WHERE DO THE FUNDS COME FROM?

- Volunteer Program

- Donations from individual supporters and institutions

- Renting out some facilities in our centre: lodge, meeting room

- Other programs: Out-bound, Conservation Education Package

WHY WE NEED YOU

Your presence at the centre is essential to help us reach our goal of being self-sustaining. Aside

from the costs of your accommodation, the money paid by volunteers goes directly back to

enriching the lives of the animals. This means that you are paying for wildlife food, overhead

costs for running the project, maintenance of animal enclosures and staff salaries. As the centre

better establishes itself as an organisation it is hoped that volunteer money will fund future

animal release programmes.

In addition to caring for the animals, volunteers are needed to help the centre staff with their

conversational English. At present, the staff are not confident in delivering conservation

education to our volunteers. By simply learning how to communicate in 'social English', the staff

will feel more confident interacting with our volunteers formally and informally.

Creating better links with the local villagers is also important to the centre. With this in mind the

volunteer programme will create an opportunity to interact with the local villagers by running the

weekly English “Kids Club” and “Community English”. The locals will interact with foreigners,

improve their English, learn about conservation and will cement links between the villagers and

the centre.


VOLUNTEER DAILY ROUTINE

Generally, each morning you will be assisting the animal keepers with their daily duties.

Animal Enrichment is an important part of the day. Enrichment encourages an environment in

which animals (such as orang-utans) can perform species-typical behaviours. Environmental

enrichment may help to reduce or eliminate undesirable behaviours and reduce behavioural

stress which could lead to improved health, reproduction and longevity.

This is your opportunity to interact (interacting not through touching the animal, but working for

the animals) with the animals. We encourage you to come along with some ideas as the

animals benefit from variation.

Saturday and Sunday are days off – volunteers are welcome to explore the city, relax in the

centre or continue working. We are happy to help organise outside activities and drivers for

anybody who wants them. A driver organised by the centre for 12 hours starts from IDR 700,000

and this price is fixed for the car and not per person.

Below is a typical itinerary for the week – please be advised this may be subject to change

depending on the specific needs of the animals.

The evenings are usually very quiet and there is little to do close to the centre. We recommend

bringing some games, books or movies to keep entertained in the evenings.


KIDS CLUB

The Kids Club is one afternoon a week with the local village children where you will act as a

teaching assistant in supporting the children with a specific subject each week.

The volunteer co-ordinators will help and guide you through the teaching aspects of the

programme. You will not be expected to teach independently. We welcome and encourage your

ideas and creativity towards the teaching adults and kids club but don't panic if this is your first

time – you will be fully supported! If there are any materials you want to bring from home to help

with this aspect then please feel free. We are grateful for any extra resources.

Community English

Community English is a conversational English class ran by WRC for any members of the local

community. It’s usually in the evening on a Thursday and anybody is allowed to join. Volunteers

will participate in the class and help the students practice their basic conversational skills.


JAVAN DINNER

The Javan dinner will take place in the village – here you will get to meet the locals and learn

more about the Javanese way of life while enjoying a delicious home cooked meal.

It is always a highlight of the program and offers a unique opportunity to interact with the locals

and learn about their way of life that you would not be able to as a normal tourist.


VOLUNTEER ACCOMMODATION

1. Transportation

Free pick up transport on your arrival and departure day from/to Adisucipto Airport

Jogjakarta (airport code: JOG) to/from WRC Jogja or from Yogyakarta to WRC Jogja.

2. Room

Volunteers will stay in rooms with 2 single beds (separate male & female rooms). The

accommodation is in a communal volunteer house with dining area and recreational area

with TV, and all rooms are air-conditioned.

3. Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and snacks will be provided throughout the project, as well as

access to clean drinking water.

4. Working tools & equipment

The centre provides boots (PVC working boots – sizes 35 - 42), gloves, and masks.

The centre does not provide overalls or working clothes.

5. Internet access

There is limited wireless internet (WiFi) access on site for personal devices.

WHAT SHOULD I PREPARE TO BE A WRC JOGJA VOLUNTEER?

1. Passport & Visa

Visa - Recently a number of laws in Indonesia regarding visa and taxes have changed.

We recommend you speak to a consult in your home country regarding visas

before your departure. Some countries are eligible for 30 days without a visa.

However, it is uncertain when this will take affect and we recommend bringing

$US35 in the instance you have to pay for this. Please note some foreign

embassies will not issue a visa for Indonesia. If you are staying longer than 30

days, you may be eligible for a 60 day visit visa that can be obtained outside of

Indonesia. You can extend a VOA in Indonesia, but it is more expensive and very

time consuming.

Taxes – Recently Indonesia has stopped charging an arrival and departure tax. It is

uncertain if this is temporary or permanent. Depending on which airport you enter

and exit through you may have to pay a small fee in Indonesian Rupiah.

Passports – Please ensure you have enough pages in your passport upon entering

Indonesia. You need to ensure your passport gets stamped upon arrival in

Indonesia. This has caused issues in the past.

Arrival forms – You may be asked for you address or hotel name in Indonesia. You can

write “WRC Jogja” or “Wildlife Rescue Centre Jogja” and the regency (Kulon

Progo). You do not need to write the entire address.

Visitor Status – Although it is legal to volunteer on a VOA, many clerks do not

understand the term “volunteering”. Please only say you are a tourist to avoid

any complications.


2. Health Check

Volunteers are involved in activities with wildlife in captivity, and many that can be

released back into their natural habitat. WRC Jogja has strict rules about the health of

both humans and wildlife. For full details please refer to the Jogja Medical Form. WRC

needs proof that all volunteers are free from

- Tuberculosis (TB) through a negative Quantiferon test, mantaux test, X-ray, sputum

test or BCG inoculation record (a doctor’s note stating the scar on your arm is a

BCG is not accepted as immunisation).

- Hepatitis A&B&C - All hepatitis vaccination must be proven through a recognised

series of injections with a note from the doctor stating period of immunity and a

full hepatitis blood serology

- General Health – a Doctor’s letter stating any pre-existing injury or illness that could

impact the participant’s ability to work within the centre.

Please include any allergies and general physical and mental health.

All volunteers must refer to the WRC Volunteer Program Medical Checks form for full

information regarding medical checks.

3. Dress Code

The rescue centre is located in a conservative country in a rural village that has only

been exposed to ‘western culture’ for the past few years. In order to preserve the

reputation of the organisation, volunteers are requested to behave in a respectable

manner at all times and to dress conservatively. For cultural reasons, this applies

particularly to women, so please observe the following:

Wear t-shirts / tops that cover shoulders and do not display any midriff or

cleavage.

Always wear a bra and preferably tops that are not tight (that do not accentuate

the chest).

Shorts’ should be about knee length, not displaying too much thigh.

If swimming, please bring a one piece that properly covers midriff and cleavage.

Although this mainly applies to women, males must also cover their knees and shoulders

and wear a t-shirt at all times while working and in the village.

4. Big Love & Respect For Animals

Your presence is a big help for the animals, and we have some rules:

a. Wildlife area accessibility

Volunteers can access the wildlife area only during working hour (7am - 3pm).

Wildlife also need time without human contact. This rule is also for safety purposes.

b. Hands-off policy.

You are responsible for your own safety as well as the safety of wildlife:

Approaching or hand feeding wild animals is not allowed. It interferes with their

natural activity and could result in injury or sickness to both people and the animals.


If an animal approaches you, it is your responsibility to move away to maintain a

safe distance.

c. Photography policy

You are welcome to take photographs for personal use. If you intend to use the

material for commercial purposes, prior permission must be obtained from WRC

Jogja- Management. Please note that flash photography and video are not allowed.

Photos depicting any of the following should be discouraged:

Volunteers “posing” with wildlife

Volunteers breaching the hands-off policy

Volunteers or staff suffering from injury, etc.

When an Autopsy is being performed

Wearing inappropriate clothing according to dress-wear policy

These or any other photos deemed as inappropriate representation of WRC Jogja will be

removed by management.

Waste in South East Asia

In most areas of South East Asia, including Indonesia, waste is large issue. As a conservation

project we are making positive changes to reduce waste produced by the centre. But we need

your help.

Please try to refrain from bringing any plastic waste to the centre – this includes water bottles.

Please bring your own reusable water bottle. There are water dispensers on site and in the

accommodation. But we will not provide plastic bottles. Cups, glasses and bottles are the best

option to help make positive change towards reducing waste and keep our planet safe.

Many volunteers leave clothing here after their program that has been ruined, torn or that is too

dirty to wear again. Please do not plan to leave any waste of any kind in the centre. There is

nowhere to dispose of it properly and it causes more issues for the centre and for our

environment.

If you bring something with you, plan to bring it home also.

As responsible tourists, please consider your waste while travelling and consider whether it is

necessary. Ensure that all waste is disposed of appropriately and that you avoid plastic waste

where ever possible.


MEET SOME of WRC JOGJA FAMILY

Boni - aka 'Mr Charming' (Male, Borneo Orang-utan)

“I am a gentle giant and I'm affectionately known as 'Mr Charming.' My story started

out with unhappiness and abuse. My former owner was a village headman who kept

me in a small cage in front of his house as a trophy. He taught me to wash cars as

well as sweep and clean my own cage. However, I was heroically rescued in 2006 by

the Indonesian Nature Conservation Agency and taken to my new home in

Jogjakarta. There were fears that there would be repercussions from the village

headman following the rescue but thankfully I have lived a safe and quiet life since.”

Despite our best efforts, Boni will never be able to return to the wild. He spent so

much of his youth in captivity that he has not learnt natural orang-utan behaviours to

enable him to survive independently.


Gogon – 'The Curious Orang-utan' (Male, Borneo Orang-utan)

“I am a handsome orang-utan with a curious nature. No puzzle is too difficult and I can out-

smart even the cleverest of animal keepers. I love to play and when I am really happy I twirl

around my enclosure like a ballet dancer! I share my enclosure with Dedek – he's just like a little

brother to me. Dedek sometimes plays too rough for me, but my gentle nature means I never

get annoyed with him. Both Dedek and I were rescued from our illegal owner in Indonesia. We

were kept as pets in a residential 'mini-zoo'. When we were let out of our small cage we rode

around the city on the back of a motorbike to be stared at by passers-by.”

Gogon is a very smart, inquisitive orang-utan with a big personality. We hope that in time Gogon

will return to his home in Borneo.


Dedek – 'The Sweet Orang-utan' (Male, Borneo Orang-utan)

“I am like the little brother Gogon never had. As infants we were kept in the same

cage by our illegal owner. We have a very special bond and to this day we still share

our enclosure. I am lost without my big brother Gogon! I am much smaller than my

big brother. Following my rescue in 2006, tests showed I had a chronic infection that

stunted my growth. Fortunately I had intensive medical treatment at the Wildlife

Rescue Centre and I am now fighting fit!”

To see Dedek's journey has been very rewarding for the centre staff – he arrived at

the Wildlife Rescue Centre so small and sick, but with a lot of hard work and

dedication he is now back to full health.


Joko - 'The Cheeky Orang-utan' (Male, Borneo Orang-utan)

“I spend my days having fun – my favourite activity is playing tricks on the animal

keepers! I'm so smart that I can always find a way to be a little bit naughty! But life for

me started out very badly. I was kept as a baby orang-utan in a tiny cage with

Ucokwati. A restaurant owner kept both of us in really bad conditions. I spent my

days in a cramped cage, chain-smoking cigarettes to entertain the customers.”

Joko certainly knows how to keep the animal keepers on their toes! He loves to play

and he is very inquisitive by nature. His playful, cheeky personality makes him a

favourite amongst staff and visitors alike.


Ucokwati – 'The Beautiful Orang-utan' (Female, Borneo Orang-utan)

“Unfortunately life hasn't always been happy for me. I was rescued from a restaurant

in Solo, Indonesia. I was kept illegally alongside another orang-utan in a small,

cramped cage as entertainment for restaurant visitors. I was unable to eat a healthy

diet and was constantly exposed to cigarette smoke. But my new life started in 2011

when the staff at the Wildlife Rescue Centre brought me to Yogyakarta. I now have

plenty of room to play and the animal keepers ensure I have a healthy diet of fresh

fruit and vegetables”

Ucokwati is a beautiful primate with a huge heart. Her stunning brown eyes are so

striking that she is affectionately known at the centre as 'beautiful eyes.' She had a

baby girl with Joko and we named this beautiful baby orang-utan - Mungil (the tiny

one) in 2013. It was hard process for WRC Jogja staffs to make Ucokwati want to

accept and take care of her baby. At beginning, Ucokwati didn’t have the maternal

instinct. But now, she really loves her baby.


Beni – The Shy Orangutan (Male, Borneo Orangutan)

Beni was rescued and taken to WRC Jogja in January 2013 from an illegal mini-zoo

in Salatiga, Central Java. He often appears sad and lonely. He was kept in a cage

1.5 x 1.5 meters wide for years, and Beni has now developed a stooped body shape.


Mungil – The Little One (Female, Borneo Orangutna)

Mungil is our youngest orang-utan and her name in Indonesian means “the little

one”. She was born to mum Ucokwati and dad Joko in WRC on 19th May, 2013.

When she was born her mum did not want to hold onto her, but after some help from

the keepers and vet Ucokwati looked after her baby all by herself and became very

protective. Mungil is becoming more confident and strong every day. She likes to

swing all over her enclosure and try to play lots of silly tricks with the volunteers and

keepers.


Siamang Gibbons, Sumatran Gibbons & Borneo Gibbons

(Siamang gibbon) (Borneo gibbon) (Sumatran gibbon)

Some animals have special characteristics such as the Siamang Gibbons. It is one of

the native animals on the Sumatra Island. They have smooth, dense, black hair and

gular sac. This gular sac is on the upper neck and inflates like a balloon when the

Siamang Gibbon sings. The callings are territory markers for a group and they are

only performed in typical daytime, creating a beautiful choir. There are 5 male

Siamang Gibbons at the centre: Genbi, Cheetah, Mumun, Big Boy, and Tomang.

They were all rescued from illegal keeping. They are all kept separately as in the wild

they would only live in male/female pairs and all WRC Siamang Gibbons are males.

There are 8 gibbons (Sumatran and Borneo or Kalaweit Gibbons): Tommy, Uu’k,

Tomwek, Tung tung, Thole, Cempluk, Onyong, and Mawar. WRC Jogja is currently

still trying to raise money to build proper enclosure for all gibbons.


Eagles

(Left: WRC Jogja was released a Crested Serpent eagle - Spilornis cheela – in 2012 at Sermo

Reserve, Kulon Progo Regency - Yogyakarta)

(Centre: A Changeable Hawk Eagle - Nisaetus cirrhatus - in rehabilitation)

(Right: Release program by WRC Jogja: A Javan Hawk Eagle – Nisaetus bartelsi - in 2013 at

Mount Merapi, Sleman Regency - Yogyakarta)

(Left: A Changeable Hawk Eagle - Nisaetus cirrhatus was released by WRC Jogja in 2014 at

Sermo Reserve, Kulon Progo Regency - Yogyakarta)

(Centre: A brahminy Kite - Haliastur indus– in rehabilitation)

(Right: A serpent crested eagle - Spilornis cheela – that is now a permanent resident in WRC)

There are 20 eagles from many species at the centre. All were rescued from illegal trading and

injuries. Eleven of them are awaiting rehabilitation, while 2 of them are disabled and cannot be

released. During 2010 – 2014 there was 4 eagles released by WRC Jogja, and 5 sea eagles

species were sent to an eagle sanctuary in Kepulauan Seribu, near Jakarta. Currently, we have

5 eagles preparing for release.


Bedhu – Poor little Sumatran Sunbear

Bedhu – a sun bear (Helarctos malayanus) was rescued at the end of November

2012 from Kebumen, Central Java Province, Indonesia. He was around 5 months

old at that time. The owner tried to sell him online as an exotic animal. Luckily

someone who cares about wildlife noticed it and sent the information to WRC Jogja.

Because WRC Jogja does not have authority for wildlife confiscation, this case was

informed to the government. Together with the WRC Jogja’s team (the vet), Bedhu

the baby sun bear was rescue with a bearcat / binturong (Arctictis binturong). Sun

bears are the smallest bear species and are found in Indonesia and Malaysia. In

Indonesia sun bears are protected by law because they are an endangered species

Appendix I in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) list.

WRC Jogja is still raising money to build a proper enclosure for Bedhue.


Birds

A Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) in WRC Jogja eating sweet corn

Two parrots (Eclectus roratus) in WRC Jogja eating watermelon together

A peahen (Pavo muticus) in its enclosure in WRC Jogja

A male double wattled cassowary (Casuarius casuarius) in its enclosure


Other

Top left: A porcupine (Histrix-histrix brachiura) in it’s enclosure at WRC Jogja

Top right: A Pig Tailed Macaque (Macaca nemestrina) in an enclosure at WRC Jogja

Middle: A long tailed Macaque (Macaca fascicularis) in the macaque enclosure

Bottom left: Slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang) catch their dinner inside the enclosure

Bottom right: A binturong (Architis binturong) inside its enclosure in WRC Jogja

Bottom centre: The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)


SUGGESTED PACKING LIST

Documents: Passport, Visa, (if needed) copies of flight tickets, traveller's cheques,

driving licence, insurance policy

Confirmation of vaccinations (please send via email before your arrival)

Small bag / back pack

T-shirts, trousers, clothes for your day off (the city is generally more relaxed about

culturally sensitive clothing than the local village). Please be advised that your

clothes will be dirty after a day cleaning animal enclosures – don't bring your best

attire for working in! You may want nice clothes for your days off and Javan dinner.

Towels (WRC Jogja provides a hand towel in each room, not a big towel)

International adapter plug (two-pin plug).

Sun screen

Mosquito Repellent

Reusable water bottle (plastic bottles not provided on site)

A hat for sun protection (not essential)

Camcorder/Digital camera.

Travel board games/Books/ iPods/ laptop etc. - to keep you occupied at night.

Wishlist

If you wish to make a physical donation to the centre or affiliated programs we have a wishlist you can use as a guide. The link is: http://goo.gl/forms/rJYDUsrG6C

Centre Details

Address: Dusun Paingan,

Desa Sendangsari,

Kecamatan Pengasih,

Kabupaten Kulon Progo – 55652

DAERAH ISTIMEWA YOGYAKARTA, INDONESIA

www: http://wildliferescuecentre.org/

Please note: Our address on google maps is incorrect. We ARE NOT located in the city.

WRC is approximately 1 hour west from Adisucipto International airport.

Our GPS coordinates according to google maps are -7.827604, 110.180858

USEFUL WRC JOGJA CONTACTS:

Rosa – +62 85268029822 (can speak English)

Renae - Volunteer Coordinator +62 812-3802-1276 (Fluent English - Australian)

Both Rosa and Renae can be contacted via whatsapp

If you have any questions you can also email:

[email protected]

http://goo.gl/forms/rJYDUsrG6C