TASIKOKI WILDLIFE RESCUE CENTER
Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre began operations in 2004 and was one of the 15 wildlife rescue centres and wildlife transfer stations that had to be built by “Yayasan Gibbon Indonesia” to care for the ever increasing inflow of confiscated illegally kept and traded wildlife within Indonesia. The Tasikoki centre however had a second and probably even more important objective; the cross-border trade from Indonesia towards the Philippines and onwards to China, Taiwan and Japan was out of control.
Sulawesi being the closest Indonesian island to the Philippines was being used as a consolidation point for illegal shipments of wildlife and wildlife products from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the islands in the Eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago, especially Papua. Orangutans, Malayan sun bears, Gibbons, Tarsiers, Lorises, and Pangolins were some of the most endangered mammals smuggled out of the country; however Cockatoos, Hornbills, birds of paradise as well as turtles and other reptiles were shipped out in even bigger quantities.
There are many endangered species at the centre, including many rare birds, primates and other wildlife. Among the mammals undergoing care at the centre are orangutans, gibbons, macaques and one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world, the Javan leopard along with sun bears, rusa deer and the fascinating babirusa. Over 40 macaques are in residence at Tasikoki. Five of the seven endemic species, including the Crested Black Macaque, (Macaca nigra), can be found and are currently undergoing rehabilitation to form natural groups as they would in the wild. There are many birds which include the prehistoric Cassowary, extremely rare Pesquet’s Parrot along with an assortment of exotic pigeons, birds of prey, cockatoos and several species of parrot. There are also an assortment of reptiles which include various species of turtle and crocodiles. A rehabilitation and release programme for native species is also under operation.
Tasikoki Volunteer Program
Tasikoki wildlife rescue centre is situated in a beautiful mangrove forest on the coast in Northern Sulawesi. The accommodation for the volunteers is situated just 200m from the rescue centre’s own black sand beach where a coral reef lies under the ocean. In the distance, the source of the exotic black sand can be seen by way of several of the island’s active volcanoes. Tasikoki is set amongst a tropical paradise with many native species still able to be seen in the wild. The capital city of North Sulawesi, Manado, where the airport is situated is 50km from the rescue centre and there are many western style shopping malls, restaurants and bars. 15 km away from the rescue centre is the large port town of Bitung.
Further information and a volunteer FAQ are available at: www.tasikoki.org.
Sulawesi being the closest Indonesian island to the Philippines was being used as a consolidation point for illegal shipments of wildlife and wildlife products from Java, Sumatra, Borneo and the islands in the Eastern part of the Indonesian archipelago, especially Papua. Orangutans, Malayan sun bears, Gibbons, Tarsiers, Lorises, and Pangolins were some of the most endangered mammals smuggled out of the country; however Cockatoos, Hornbills, birds of paradise as well as turtles and other reptiles were shipped out in even bigger quantities.
There are many endangered species at the centre, including many rare birds, primates and other wildlife. Among the mammals undergoing care at the centre are orangutans, gibbons, macaques and one of the most critically endangered big cats in the world, the Javan leopard along with sun bears, rusa deer and the fascinating babirusa. Over 40 macaques are in residence at Tasikoki. Five of the seven endemic species, including the Crested Black Macaque, (Macaca nigra), can be found and are currently undergoing rehabilitation to form natural groups as they would in the wild. There are many birds which include the prehistoric Cassowary, extremely rare Pesquet’s Parrot along with an assortment of exotic pigeons, birds of prey, cockatoos and several species of parrot. There are also an assortment of reptiles which include various species of turtle and crocodiles. A rehabilitation and release programme for native species is also under operation.
Tasikoki Volunteer Program
Tasikoki wildlife rescue centre is situated in a beautiful mangrove forest on the coast in Northern Sulawesi. The accommodation for the volunteers is situated just 200m from the rescue centre’s own black sand beach where a coral reef lies under the ocean. In the distance, the source of the exotic black sand can be seen by way of several of the island’s active volcanoes. Tasikoki is set amongst a tropical paradise with many native species still able to be seen in the wild. The capital city of North Sulawesi, Manado, where the airport is situated is 50km from the rescue centre and there are many western style shopping malls, restaurants and bars. 15 km away from the rescue centre is the large port town of Bitung.
Further information and a volunteer FAQ are available at: www.tasikoki.org.
