Bukit Lawang and the Orangutans of Bokorok
After two days of flying across the world, we finally arrived. We were now a few miles away from where some of the last Sumatran orangutans are surviving. Maybe a mother and her infant were even peeping through the canopy across the river right when we opened our guest house room door. Our reason for coming was primarily to help research the special behavior and ecological conditions necessary to maintain health in wild orangutans using parasitic infections as a measure of this health. But it was also to observe how ecological and ethical Orangutan tourism is specifically in the surroundings of the small yet very touristy area of Bukit Lawang (BL) or Bukit for short.
We focused on what we started with – a few-day trek in the jungle in the company of guides from a small ecotourism organization. The trek was not centered on orangutan tourism, and we had not planned it this way. But it ended up providing us with the perfect venue to understand better the positives and negatives of red ape tourism. Can it ever qualify as ecotourism? Sustainable tourism? Or is it rather plain wild tourism – a form of tourism focused on the interaction with wildlife without necessarily carrying a sense of responsibility to the environment or local communities?
The Story of Pesek
As we ventured deeper into the lush green canopy, our guide, Pesek, a local from the area, pointed out various plants and their medicinal uses. He spoke with such passion and reverence for the forest, it was clear he had an intimate connection with this place. Pesek shared how his family had lived in Bukit Lawang for generations, subsisting on the bounty of the jungle. But in recent years, he had seen a dramatic shift.
“The tourists, they come in droves now,” Pesek sighed. “They want to see the orangutans up close, to take selfies. But they don’t understand the delicate balance of this ecosystem. Their noise and intrusion disturb the animals, and they leave behind so much waste.”
Pesek’s words struck a chord within us. We had come to this remote corner of the world seeking an authentic connection with nature, but what we were witnessing seemed far from sustainable.
The Story of Borjong
As we continued our trek, we encountered Borjong, another local guide, who had a very different perspective. “The tourism, it has brought jobs and income to our community,” he explained. “Before, we had little opportunity to earn a decent living. Now, we can support our families and send our children to school.”
Borjong had a point. Ecotourism, when done right, can be a powerful tool for conservation and community development. But the key, it seemed, was striking the right balance – one that prioritizes the well-being of the animals and the environment, while also providing meaningful economic benefits to the local people.
The Story of Mina
Our trek took an unexpected turn when we stumbled upon Mina, a young orangutan foraging for fruits in the undergrowth. Her movements were graceful and her gaze, intense. We were mesmerized, but also painfully aware of the threats she faced.
“Mina’s mother was killed by poachers,” our guide, Pesek, informed us solemnly. “She was taken to a rehabilitation center, but the trauma was too much. Now, Mina roams these forests alone, vulnerable to the dangers of human encroachment.”
The plight of Mina and her kind weighed heavily on our hearts. We realized then that the challenges facing exotic animals like orangutans went far beyond the realm of ecotourism. It was a complex web of habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, and the insatiable human desire to possess the rare and the beautiful.
Ecotourism, Sustainable Tourism, or Wild Tourism?
As we reflected on our experiences in Bukit Lawang, we grappled with the question that had been gnawing at us all along: Is this truly ecotourism, or is it something else entirely?
According to the research we uncovered, ecotourism is defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”
In the case of Bukit Lawang, the tourism industry had certainly brought economic benefits to the local community. But the well-being of the orangutans and the broader ecosystem seemed to be in jeopardy. The noise, waste, and intrusion of the tourists were disrupting the natural balance, and the animals were paying the price.
Perhaps, then, this was not ecotourism, but rather a form of “wild tourism” – a type of tourism that focuses solely on the interaction with wildlife, without necessarily considering the long-term sustainability of such practices.
Recalling Our Sapiens Duty
As we bid farewell to Bukit Lawang and the orangutans of Bokorok, we couldn’t help but reflect on our own role as human beings in this delicate ecosystem. After all, we are the dominant species on this planet, and with that comes a great responsibility.
According to the course catalog we reviewed, one of the key principles of sustainable exotic pet ownership is to “foster a deep respect and appreciation for the natural world, recognizing our interconnectedness with all living beings.”
This principle, it seems, extends far beyond the confines of our homes and personal collections. It is a responsibility that we must uphold as stewards of this planet, whether we are visiting exotic locales or welcoming exotic pets into our lives.
“We must chart a course for sustainable exotic pet ownership,” I told myself, “one that prioritizes the well-being of the animals and the environments they call home.”
And so, with a renewed sense of purpose, I set out to explore the world of ethical exotic expeditions, determined to find a way forward that would bring joy and wonder to the human experience, while also preserving the delicate balance of nature.
After all, as the old saying goes, “With great power comes great responsibility.” And as the dominant species on this planet, we Homo sapiens have a duty to the world we inhabit.
Golden Exotic Pets is committed to fostering a culture of sustainable exotic pet ownership, where the needs of the animals and the environment come first. Join us as we embark on this ethical expedition, charting a course for a future where humans and exotic creatures can coexist in harmony.
