Indonesian Conservation Management Practices & the Australian ...

International Context19when necessary and also be confident in how you deliver directions. This helps staff takedirection more clearly and encourages the project to always think quickly and concisely.Program Management Skills Identified• Organisational skills – This was the most valuable skill identified in the overall dailymanagement of the centre. The ability to multi-task, delegate work duties, manageanimal activity and daily planning is essential for smooth operations.• Strategic development, evaluation and assessment.• Business Management.• Preparation and submission of fundraising proposals and general report writing.• Communication – This was essential to all staff that worked at the project. Dailycommunication from the communications team ensured staff working on ground wereprepared for any activities that were out of their daily routine, eg: animal movementsand animal rescues.• Media and public relations, and interpersonal relations.• Liaison skills and stakeholder management.• Animal management and husbandry skills.• Conflict management.Key Findings/Outcomes• Nyaru Menteng employs over 140 local staff and its annual operating cost isapproximately US $2,000,000. 1 The rehabilitation project requires participation at alllevels, from village communities to the forestry department and local government.• The ‘no’ visitor approach ensures that disease transmission is minimal and that theanimals do not become ‘habituated’ to people. This greatly assists rehabilitation of theanimals to become wild.• Scientific knowledge is less important than organisational and communication skills,which are essential for overall management success.• Lack of government support for the project is evident. However, there is no strategy fromNyaru Menteng that encourages support and direction from the local government.• Human Animal Conflict (HAC) is the number one issue that affects the centre andorangutans. 2 Building strong relations with the palm oil companies to report HAC andproblematic animals is essential for successful animal rescues. A strategy to addressthis needs to be developed and implemented as a high priority.• Habitat protection is required for timely release of the animals at the centre. This is timeconsuming to organise and requires support from other environmental organisations,local and national government bodies, Forestry Department and local communities.Nyaru Menteng has recently released 120 animals into a forested region with supportat all levels, but several years were needed to complete the habitat assessments andrequirements for release. This process needs to be efficient and land managementallocation needs full attention.• Developing and maintaining relationships has proven to be very important. NyaruMenteng works closely with large companies like BHP Indonesia. This has been an1 Meeting with Ms. Lone Droscher Nielsen, 2/02/07, Project Manager, Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue andRehabilitation Centre.2 Meeting with Mr. Hardi Bakatori, 20/01/07, Vice Manager, Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and RehabilitationCentre.