is a five-part series highlighting gibbons throughout Thailand as they struggle against the impact of tourism and the illegal pet trade. See: http://www.adriancale.co.uk/filmmaker-clips/gibbons-back-in-the-swing/
“Refugees of the Lost Rainforest” is an excellent account of the work being done by the Jersey Zoo (Gerald Durrell’s legacy) and its sister rehabilitation centre in the far north of the Island of Sumatra – the program focuses on the endangered orangutans living on both islands. Orangs, when they are ready, are released back into the wild from the Sumatran centre – they are chipped to allow tracking to determine their progress. Another focus is on the dangers to Sumatran wildlife – the production of palm oil and other reasons for deforestation. Narrated by John Nettles, the program is available on BBC Iplayer until 7 December.
Madagascar is home to some of the most endangered animals on the planet – especially primates (see “Primate Facts – Plight of Primates Today”, this website – 6 lemurs from Madagascar are on the 25 most endangered primates list). The BBC series “Deadly Mission Madagascar” is back (first aired in February, 2013), focusing on school children from the UK in partnership with children in Madagascar to develop a conservation ethos through education. A major aim is ascertaining whether a national park is beneficial for local people and wildlife.
See CBBC, 11:35 am, Tuesdays. “Primate Cinema” is an enlightening look at the similarities between non-human primates and humans. Produced by LA artist Professor Rachel Mayeri, who has collaborated with comparative psychologist Dr. Sarah-Jane Vick, the project gauges the responses of chimps (Edinburgh Zoo) to a video installation drama of humans dressed as apes (2011-2013).
See: “Apes as Family” – http://www.artscatalyst.org/projects/detail/Primate_Cinema_Apes/
See also the video “Baboons as Friends” (2007), at http://www.rachelmayeri.com/ Natural World – 2013-2014, “Orangutans: the great ape escape”.
Follow the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation as its members release Leonora and Emen and their babies, as well as six other orphaned orangutans into the forests of Northern Borneo. These orangutans are pioneers because the release of over 600 other orangutans hinges on whether this first group survives. The BOSF monitors the animals through radio transmitters implanted under their skin. At first adapting to new food/fruit seems to be a problem, especially for Emen and baby and one teenage male. But the ending is positive and this gives the rescue centre hope for the release of the other orphaned orangutans in future. The programme was first broadcast on BBC2 for October and will be available on Iplayer until 1 November, 2013.
A must see. Natural World – 2013-2014, “Meet the Monkeys”, is an excellent documentary on crested black macaques found in Sulawesi, Indonesia. Presented by Colin Stafford-Johnson, well-known cinematographer and host of “Living the Wildlife”, the film highlights the plight of a troop of 70 macaques whose numbers have decreased by about 90% due to loss of habitat and increased bushmeat hunting. Stafford-Johnson expertly captures the precociousness and curiosity of these primates. He films them during long grooming sessions, at play, and during other – sometimes complex – social interaction. The resulting film is shown to the local population at a special screening, to make the people aware of the similarities of the lives of these primates to the lives of humans, and to point up the dangers to their existence. Children from the area are also guided through the forest to encounter the macaques and observe them – one of the monkeys is recognised from the film. The highlight for Stafford-Johnson happens just before he leaves – when two macaques try to groom his hair! Aired on BBC Two on 6 Sept. at 9:00pm and 7 Sept. at 5:00pm, the program can be found for a short time on iplayer. Hopefully it will also be found on DVD.