Protection of Proposed Bengkung Trumon Megafauna Sanctuary, Sumatra
Executive Summary
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, documenting vital wildlife presence through sightings, 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, distributing and planting 2,132 of them 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.
Frontline Protection
In the Bengkung Trumon Megafauna 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.
Above maps: Green highlight shows the team supported by Global Conservation (January–November 2024). Figure 1) WPT patrol tracks in BTMS. Figure 2) Wildlife findings recorded by WPTs in the BTMS. Figure 3. Illegal logging case distribution found by FKL rangers.
From January to November 2024, these 8 WPTs completed 88 patrol missions over a span of 1,368 days, covering a total of 5,807 km along predetermined routes. One of these teams was specifically supported by Global Conservation, with a focus on protecting the Rawa Kluet area. During this period, this particular team completed 11 patrol missions over 165 days, covering 709.92 km of predetermined routes.
During this time, the most common forestry crime reported by the 8 WPTs in BTMS was illegal logging, with 298 cases involving 272.6 m³ of wood taken, followed by forest encroachment with 37 cases affecting 46.2 hectares of land, poaching with 35 cases where 15 snares were removed, and illegal road construction with 10 cases covering During their patrol, our team also encountered two suspected tiger poachers. Our team directly escorted these alleged poachers to the district police office for follow-up. Compared to the previous period, the number of illegal logging cases has doubled, the number of forest encroachments increased to 11%, and poaching cases decreased by 60%. The illegal logging cases might have increased due to individuals using Other Land Use areas (APL) attempting to exploit resources from nearby Protected Forest areas. FKL has actively urged the authorities to closely monitor and evaluate the permits in the BTMS vicinity, but we have received minimal response thus far. Our strategy is to continue to urge action by the agencies responsible for tackling these illegal activities.
Drone Monitoring
Through the support of Global Conservation, our Geographic Information System (GIS) team has accomplished three drone missions and conducted one internal drone training session during this reporting period. These drone missions were carried out to survey our Soraya research station, as well as oversee our Kemuning (Aceh Timur) and Kaloy (Aceh Tamiang) restoration areas. The data acquired from these drone missions will be instrumental in assessing the progress and effectiveness of our restoration efforts. By providing a detailed snapshot of the restoration areas, this data will serve as invaluable comparative information, enabling us to monitor changes over time and evaluate the progress of each restoration site.
Wildlife Rescue and Mitigation
The Sumatran Tiger Rescue Mission is located in the Kluet Timur subdistrict of Aceh Selatan
During this reporting period, our LRT received reports of a Sumatran tiger preying on 8 dogs and chickens owned by the community. The recurring floods and landslides forced the mission to postpone several times, despite our team's attempts to verify these findings. Subsequently, the community engaged with Pawang Harimau (local traditional tiger expert) to prevent the tiger from reapproaching the settlement. In response to this incident, the team worked with BKSDA Aceh and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) to closely coordinate with the local community and village leaders to build a tiger-proof enclosure (TPE) to stop tigers from attacking the pets and livestock of local residents, which would also lower the chances of wildlife being harmed by worried communities trying to protect themselves. This idea was welcomed by the local communities and village officials. WCS has initiated the implementation of this project in various areas as a pilot initiative for the local community. We expect this endeavor will contribute to the reduction of human-tiger conflict in the long run.
However, in early January, our LRT received reports that the alleged same tiger was still roaming around and attacking livestock, causing concern among the local community. Recognizing the potential threat posed by the tiger's presence, a collaborative effort was initiated by FKL, BKSDA, WCS, and the local community to address the situation.
A joint operation was launched to capture the tiger, involving the placement of box traps in strategic locations. This operation aimed to ensure the safety of both the tiger and the residents while providing an opportunity for the rescue team to assess the tiger's health and monitor its condition before releasing it back into the wild.
In February 2024, the collaborative efforts bore fruit as the team successfully captured a Sumatran tiger, who was named Begu Kluti. The name "Begu Kluti" holds cultural significance, signifying the tiger's origin from the Kluet Aceh region, with "Begu" meaning "tiger" and "Kluti" referring to its origin location in Kluet Timur. Begu Kluti, a female tiger estimated to be 3-4 years old, underwent thorough medical examinations and observations, revealing a healthy physical condition. After being deemed fit for release—and a journey to the release location requiring a 2-hour road trip followed by an additional 3 hours on a motorized boat—Begu Kluti was successfully released into the Gunung Leuser National Park, in Aceh Selatan, on 20 February 2024.
Rescue Operation on Malayan Bear in Aceh Selatan
Through the support of another donor, our rescue team conducted a rescue mission to help an adult female sun bear in the Limited Production Forest (HPT) of Kota Bahagia on 11 June 2024. The bear had been injured by a nylon sling trap set by wild boar hunters, which severely affected her right front paw. Our team promptly provided on-site medical care and aimed to evacuate her to the nearest facility for further treatment. Regrettably, the bear passed away during the evacuation. A necropsy was performed at the scene, which indicated that the cause of death was likely sepsis resulting from the trap injury.
Restoration and Land Acquisition
Suaq Land Acquisition
Map of land acquisition in Pasie Lembang as of November 2024. The three red blocks are planned to be acquired soon in order to connect the two yellow blocks (Acquired lands).
As mentioned in the previous report, we have successfully secured an additional 6.61 hectares, bringing the total to 173.6 hectares, which were secured with the support of Global Conservation and other donors. Our current target is the 6.22 hectares marked in red. Once this area is secured, the total secured area in Suaq, specifically within the Other Land Use area in Pasie Lembang village, Subulussalam subdistrict, will increase to 178.7 hectares.
Suaq Forest Restoration
Thanks to the support of Global Conservation, we have continued our efforts in operating the Pasie Lembang Nursery post and restoring the Suaq forest block area in partnership with the local community. We have deployed five members dedicated to restoration activities, including managing the nursery post and distributing saplings and other related tasks. Over this period, the nursery has successfully nurtured various types of Multi-Purpose Tree Species (MPTS). These saplings, cultivated at FKL's nursery, will subsequently be distributed among local communities for planting within the restoration area.
As of November 2024, we have 5,731 saplings still being nursed, consisting of 10 types of Multipurpose Trees. Below is the detailed inventory of saplings available at the Pasie Lembang nursery post.
Available Seedlings at Pasie Lembang Nursery Site
In addition, during this reporting period, FKL distributed 2,132 saplings with 10 types of MTPS (Multi-Purpose Tree Species). These seedlings were planted within 21 hectares of land that was previously covered by illegal palm oil plantations. We expect that through this effort we will provide an alternative livelihood for the local farmer, and they will be able to gain financial benefit in more sustainable ways. In addition, as we continue our restoration efforts, we have observed wildlife sightings in our restoration area, including orangutans, Malayan bears, and deer. This indicates the success of our restoration program, as the area is becoming a healthy enough habitat to once again support wildlife.
In this reporting period, our restoration team identified land-clearing activities within our restoration area in the Suaq forest. Two groups carried out these activities: one consisting of eight individuals from the local community and the other composed of former Aceh combatants. The investigation found that land clearing had happened at nine different places. The team has not measured the size of the nine sites due to concerns about encountering the encroachers and the potential for conflict. However, it is estimated the average size of each area is approximately 0.5 hectares.
Our restoration team has encountered these encroachers; despite explaining that officially the restoration area is ours, some community members still claim the land as their own. We invited them to a proper meeting to discuss and resolve the issue through an open dialogue. Unfortunately, we have not received a positive response to this invitation.
With no resolution in sight, our restoration team reported these findings to the village authorities of Pasie Lembang and Indra Damai. The village head advised us to escalate the issue to the police, as there was information suggesting that some community members planned to burn down the restoration post. This threat was also confirmed by the Community Patrol Team (CPT) supported by FKL, which had received direct threats from the perpetrators.
Regarding the encroachment by former Aceh combatants, the village head suggested discussing the matter directly with them rather than involving law enforcement. It is evident that the village head, being an ex-combatant himself, is biased towards the former combatants. We are currently exploring solutions, including building communication with them and encouraging them to plant MTPS (Mixed Tree Planting Systems) themselves to avoid monoculture tree planting, or considering other options.
Community Patrol Team
From left to right above: CPT carried out a patrol in the Suaq forest area; a Sumatran orangutan spotted by CPT during their patrol; encroached land recorded by CPT near Suaq Belimbing camp; and an encroacher camp found by CPT.
We are aware that involving local communities in environmental protection is crucial for the sustainability of our conservation efforts. With support from Global Conservation, the Suaq Community Patrol Team of eight local members continues its operations. The team conducts 12 days of patrols each month. This year, they completed five patrols in various Suaq areas, including the Lembang riverbanks, the Suaq Belimbing Research Station in Gunung Leuser National Park (GLNP), and the designated restoration sites. During these patrols, they discovered wildlife and monitored forestry crimes.
As mentioned above, the CPT recorded several findings of encroachment activities near and within the Pasie Lembang restoration area. The CPT attempted to communicate with and warn the encroachers, who were then identified as ex-Aceh combatants. However, these individuals responded with threats, including burning down the restoration post if the team continues to prohibit their activities. We are currently working on resolving this issue while aiming to minimize associated risks.
