INTRODUCTION

Indonesia counts many primate species threatened with extinction. Amongst these species, the gibbons of Indonesia face many threats towards their survival. Habitat loss and pet trade are the main factors for the declining gibbon species.

Kalaweit is a valuable program for the protection of gibbon species in Indonesia.

Kalaweit create Kalaweit UK with the help of Susan Cheyne to help the project in fundraising and promote the activities of Kalaweit in UK. Kalaweit always  is in need of funding for the proceeding of their programs.

History  of Kalaweit:

The Kalaweit program in Borneo has been launched in the year 1999 and proves to be a success full and indispensable for the conservation and rescue of gibbons.

-         Fighting the illegal trade and illegal possession of gibbons by confiscations  in cooperation with the Indonesian forestry department

-         Habitat protection and awareness programs (radio program)

-         ‘Kalaweit Radio Station’ – became the most popular radio station in  Palangkaraya and Sampit  within one year!

-         A national agreement has been signed between the Indonesian forestry department and the Kalaweit program in the year 2004. Kalaweit can now protect and help gibbons throughout Indonesia.

Kalaweit now runs two centres in Indonesia:

-         For the Agile gibbon (Hylobates agilis albirbaris) and the Muller gibbon (Hylobates muelleri) in central Kalimantan on the island of Borneo

-         For the siamang (Hylobates syndactylus) and the Agile Gibbon (Hylobates agilis) in West Sumatra

At  present, Kalaweit takes care of 240 gibbons and siamangs in Borneo and Sumatra

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