GC Proud to be Part of New Film—The Last Place on Earth; Proposed Protection Animal Sanctuary
This thrilling action-adventure documentary is currently in production on the island of Sumatra, Indonesia. Delving deep into the extraordinary Leuser Ecosystem—the last place on earth where orangutans, rhinos, tigers, and elephants still roam freely in the wild—an undercover film team chronicles the plights of the heroes fighting to save this biodiversity hotspot from rampant corruption and destruction. A unique band of local characters—all with their own drives, passions, and obsessions—fights to protect this ancient land, giving us hope that Leuser can be saved.
Global Conservation is both excited and proud to be involved as a Producer of “The Last Place on Earth” in collaboration with Louis Psihoyos, Director and Producer of the award-winning documentaries “Racing Extinction” and “The Cove.”
Protection of Proposed Bengkung Trumon Megafauna Sanctuary
The FKL Wildlife Protection Teams have made significant progress in safeguarding the biodiversity of the Bengkung Trumon Megafauna Sanctuary (BTMS) and the Suaq region from January to November 2024. Eight Wildlife Protection Teams conducted 88 patrol missions, covering 5,807 km over 1,368 days, documenting vital wildlife presence, including 1,896 orangutans, 1,182 Malayan bears, 844 Sumatran tigers, and 221 Sumatran elephants. These efforts also dismantled 15 snares and documented 35 poaching cases. Despite challenges like a rise in illegal logging (298 cases, 272.6 m³ of wood), proactive measures such as guard post operations and collaborative law enforcement initiatives have been implemented to counteract these threats.
In addition to protection efforts, restoration and community engagement have been key priorities. The Pasie Lembang Nursery produced over 5,700 saplings, of which 2,132 were distributed and planted across 21 hectares of previously degraded land. Wildlife sightings, including orangutans and Malayan bears, in these restored areas highlight the success of these initiatives. The Suaq Community Patrol Team conducted five patrols, covering 893.2 km and documenting forest encroachment threats. Collaboration with local communities and authorities remains central to resolving challenges, including encroachment by former combatants and threats to conservation facilities. These combined efforts underline FKL’s commitment to protecting the Leuser Ecosystem's biodiversity while promoting sustainable community practices.
Wildlife Protection Team EcoGaurds discover and unarm traps that are meant for Leuser’s wildlife, even for elephants. Photo ©Paul Hilton
Frontline Protection
In the Bengkung Trumon Mega Fauna Sanctuary (BTMS), FKL continued to deploy 8 Wildlife Protection Teams (WPTs) in total to protect and monitor the wildlife and forest of this area. Each of the teams patrols for an average of 15 days per month using the SMART patrol method. The team consists of four skilled FKL rangers and one accompanying ranger, either from the Forest Management Unit (KPH) or the Gunung Leuser National Park Agency (BBTNGL), depending on the location.
Our 8 WPTs diligently documented wildlife presence signs in the BTMS, with the most frequently encountered wildlife signs in this period being Sumatran orangutan (1,896 findings), followed by Malayan bear (1,182 findings), Sumatran tiger (844 findings) and Sumatran elephant (221 findings).
Figure 1. WPT patrol tracks in BTMS (January–November 2024)
Figure 2. Wildlife findings recorded by WPTs in the BTMS (January–November 2024)
