Sulawesi update

We support a project on the island of Sulawesi, in Indonesia, to help the charismatic local primate, the Sulawesi crested black macaque. This is a busy, sociable monkey – you can see troops at both Newquay Zoo and Paignton Zoo.

Our project – Selamatkan Yaki, or Save the macaque – is busy, too, because there’s a lot that needs doing: opposing habitat loss, challenging hunting for bush-meat, tackling wildlife trafficking, helping local people develop sustainable livelihoods.

Our new Wildlife Trade Mitigation Strategy is due to be launched soon. This will be the main focus of education and awareness activities for the next few years, concentrating on meat markets and rural hunters. This is the first major SY project to be fully planned within a strong theoretical behaviour change framework. Read more here: https://www.selamatkanyaki.ngo/our-work/wildlife-trade/

Then there’s the Nature Connect project (funded by the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums), engaging families with the importance of forests and offering sustainable livelihood approaches (that’s things like hydroponics and permaculture). These days, conservation is a mix of science, diplomacy, community and politics – all driven by the passionate desire to make a difference.