The Bornean Project was launched formally at a briefing in May 2007 at Usti
nad Labem Zoo. In October 2007, the first two team members, Stanislav Lhota PhD
and Michal Brom departed for Indonesia. Dr Stanislav Lhota is an Usti Zoo based
researcher. Throughout the year to follow, he dedicated the majority of his time
to the research in the proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus). Michal Brom was active
in the nearby education centre, where he focused on caring for Malayan sun bears,
a City of Balikpapan heraldic species and a flagship species for conservation of
the territory. Although both researchers returned in October 2008, Stanislav Lhota
will yet leave for another research stay in 2009 - 2010.
The project that is carried out under Usti nad Labem Zoo umbrella is designed
to raise awareness of the area above while collecting data on its biological diversity
and threats, ensuring the protected area status and introducing armed patrols. Research
and conservation of coastal mangroves around the Gulf of Balikpapan is the top priority,
as the mangroves provide home to proboscis monkeys, Irawaddy dolphins, dugongs -
the marine herbivores, saltwater crocodiles, and many other creatures. The mangrove
stands in the Gulf of Balikpapan are under a threat of destruction not only due
to logging and a number of other illegal activities, but also due to prospective
works involving construction of a provincial road.
A night show for the benefit of the project was organised on 12 June 2009, including
an auction of photographs acquired by the four authors who paid a visit to Stanislav
Lhota during his Bornean stay. The return was donated to the project to cover the
necessary expenses related to the conservation in the locality. The photographers
made their works available free. These involved:
Feeling like you would like to stay tuned? Why not visiting this site periodically
for project updates to be sent by Stanislav Lhota from the field as from August
2009!
