Tsunami Relief

First Visit to Banda Aceh, Sumatra
January - February 2005

In late January 2005, representatives from Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide visited tsunami-devastated areas of Aceh. The purpose of the trip was twofold: to deliver urgently required veterinary supplies for elephants working to recover bodies from the disaster area, and to provide humanitarian aid to forest guards affected by the disaster. The visit was also an opportunity to conduct a future needs assessment for the joint BKSDA (Regional Conservation Department)/ FFI (Fauna and Flora International) anti-poaching projects operating in Aceh Province.

Our assistance with the disaster had been prompted by a plea from FFI workers concerned about the welfare of the elephants and their mahouts working in the disaster area. Also of concern was the likelihood that wildlife poachers would take advantage of the strained resources of the BKSDA and the lack of anti-poaching patrols during the recovery period. Our mission was therefore to do as much as we could to restore the morale and effectiveness of the BKSDA and local FFI workers, and ensure that the veterinary needs of the elephants were attended to. Click here for our report...

Second Visit to Banda Aceh, Sumatra
February 2005

The Wildlife Warriors/Australia Zoo team of Senior Veterinarian Dr Jon Hanger and Big Cat Handler Supervisor Giles Clark returned to Sumatra in the last weeks of February 2005 to deliver further aid and supplies to the tsunami-devastated town of Banda Aceh. This followed on from an earlier visit between 23 - 30 January 2005.

The initial trip in January had delivered urgent veterinary supplies for the elephants working in the rubble, and allowed a needs assessment to be conducted. With assistance from Professor John Pearn from the Queensland Health medical team, Forest Guards (BKSDA) and Fauna and Flora International (FFI) staff had been vaccinated against tetanus. A large green turtle was rescued from the rubble, treated and released back at sea. Click here for our report...



Your generosity at work
We recently received an email from Helene Barnes of Fauna and Flora International in Sumatra . Helene was kind enough to give us an update on the situation in Aceh and details of how your generosity and the generosity of our sponsors has impacted the salvaging and rebuilding of the region. The contribution of a Toyota Landcruiser from Scifleet Toyota has particularly proven invaluable.

Giles,
Attached are some photos of the ‘Mobil Putih' in action.  It has been so useful for transporting materials, supplies and people along the west coats, where half the road was washed away by the Tsunami so temporary roads have been made further inland. But as it is rainy season and the roads are not surfaced, they have become very difficult to drive along.  Frequently when we drive along the roads, we have pulled trucks out of the mud where they have become stuck.  The road to one village, Meudang Ghon – where we have been supporting them to start growing crops again and will rebuild their houses – became impossible for any cars to drive down… except Mobil Putih, driven by our driver Bang din.

We have been delivering seeds, fences, and school materials and taking people with the Landcruiser ever since you finally drove it to the BKSDA Office.  Thank you so much for your support to FFI and BKSDA and I hope we will see you in Aceh soon to show you all our progress.

Best wishes
Helene