Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main mission of Force for the Forest? To preserve the Leuser Ecosystem and ensure that it is self-sufficient with the wholehearted support of the local people. To pass on the lessons learnt to other conservationists globally. To help secure the rain forest throughout the world.
Why should I care about the rain forest? The rainforests are the lungs of the world.  They help to create clean air and oxygen for us throughout the world.  Their destruction contributes to global warming, and their retention helps to stop climate change.  We need the rain forest.

There are loads of Orang-utan in Africa, why worry about them? Actually, there are none in Africa!  They are only found in Sumatra and Borneo, different types in each island.  In Borneo there are about 11,000 left, all in small pockets of forest, making it hard to breed.  The future for them is very uncertain.  In Sumatra there are 8,200.  The ones in the small pockets are all gone, the only ones left are in the Leuser reserve - we've got them and they are safe.  A female orang-utan has a baby about once in 5 years, so will only have about 7 babies in her life - they breed slowly and every one is precious.

I thought there were lots of Elephant in Africa?  What's special about the ones in Sumatra?

Like many other species, there are unique versions in Sumatra, one of the worlds biggest islands.  There are six species of elephant.  There are two African species, the Forest and the Savannah, and four Asian species.  The Sri Lankan is the largest, there is the Indian Elephant found mainly in India, Burma, Thailand and China, the Sumatran Elephant and the Borneo Pygmy Elephant.  There are less than 1500 Borneo Elephants and less than 1000 Sumatran Elephants.

The Sumatran Elephant is the smallest, it only has one finger on it's trunk, and mainly travels at night.  They sleep during the day, and Mike Griffiths used to discuss whether it would be possible to get close enough to touch them without them waking up.  Trying it once led to the scariest moment he had in the forest - and he has been charged by rhinos!  He had crept right up on a group of them, all fast asleep, when he suddenly felt he was being watched.    Looking around, he saw a baby elephant watching him intently from between mum's legs.  A little squeal was all that was needed to bring half a dozen enraged female elephants down on him, and he very slowly backed away, watched the whole way by the little baby.  You can see his photo on the species, mammals page. 

 

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