Jungle Diary: Herbert Ullmann’s research trip to Borneo for the orangutan project
Suddenly in the thick of the action: publisher Herbert Ullmann
The publisher Herbert Ullmann displays great commitment to the book “Thinkers of the Jungle. The Orangutan Report” that is published at the beginning of October 2007. On 13 August 2007 he sets off via Singapore and Jakarta for Balikpapan in Borneo. There he visits two orangutan rehabilitation centers run by Dr. Willie Smits, one of the book’s authors. The aim of the journey is, amongst other things, to produce an approximately 20-minute-long DVD documentation that will be sent exclusively to the German book trade.
Briefing: Herbert Ullmann and Willie Smits
The start could not have been more dramatic. On the very first day, Herbert Ullmann was confronted with one of the causes of the threat posed to the apes: a forest fire (see photo) that had been laid by arsonists. Two and a half acres (one hectare) of rainforest was burned down in only one and a half hours. About 30 colleagues of Dr. Smits finally succeeded in bringing the fire under control. The arsonists are often palm-oil barons that need the land for their plantations. The systematic destruction of the rainforest not only has an increasing effect on the global climate, it also destroys the basis on which the lives of the orangutans depend.
Author Willie Smits (center) fighting the fire
As he emphasizes, for Ullmann this is not just about the book. He has learnt during the book project that this species of ape is acutely endangered. Now his commitment has become greater, he also wants to make people aware of the threat to a species that is said to be so closely related to humans. Buchmarkt.de wants to accompany him in doing so, Ullmann will report on his experiences at regular intervals.
Tomorrow Herbert Ullmann will meet orangutans for the first time at the Wanariset Rehabilitation Center in Central Borneo.
Day 2 of Ullmann’s trip, more
