SOCP: Cleaning Up After The Landslides

May 6, 2025
Story by PanEco Foundation

After the devastating landslides, the destroyed orangutan sanctuary and care center in Sumatra is still cleaning up. Citrakasih Nente, head of the SOCP reintroduction program, shares how the team overcame the challenges of the first days and weeks.

At 1:00 a.m. on November 27, 2024, several severe landslides destroyed parts of our orangutan sanctuary and care center in North Sumatra. Triggered by heavy rainfall, they caused significant damage to key infrastructure, such as the veterinary clinic and several orangutan enclosures. Much of the site was covered in mud. Dr. Citrakasih Nente, head of the reintroduction program, reflects on the first hours and weeks and describes how the situation at the sanctuary is slowly returning to normal:

"We now have the situation at the rescue and care center under control, and as far as the animals are concerned, we have a more or less normal daily routine again. However, the first three weeks after the landslide were incredibly stressful and there was immense chaos. The commitment of the entire team was tremendous: On the night of the landslide, the two night-shift animal keepers and a security guard immediately assessed the situation and realized that the damage was enormous and that they needed help. They quickly headed to the village to get help and check all the orangutans and the facilities. They counted the orangutans and determined the location of the missing animals. Fortunately, most of the animals had sought refuge in the surrounding trees. Gradually, the entire team of animal keepers and veterinarians arrived to help on site. We worked day and night, despite heavy rains, until all the animals were safe again. The villagers helped us by carrying food, blankets, and supplies to the center because the mud made access impassable for vehicles.

On the very first morning after the disaster, November 27, we divided the team into four groups: Under the leadership of Dr. Yenni, six keepers cared for the orangutans to ensure their well-being. This team also monitored and evacuated orangutans that had escaped from their cages. The second team, led by our station manager, Arista, formed the logistics team, which focused on clearing the access road to the center. The maintenance team, which I coordinated, consisted of four members and took care of securing and repairing the electricity and water supplies, which had completely failed, as well as securing the entrances within the center so we could access the enclosures. A backup team was also stationed in Medan to provide everything necessary, such as medication, rubber boots, raincoats, and other equipment, for the other three teams. In the morning and afternoon, we held a briefing and evaluation to discuss each team's progress and challenges and plan for the next day. After three weeks, our field teams from Jantho and Batang Toru joined us to help with cleanup and give the volunteers from the first few weeks a break.

Thanks to the support and excellent cooperation from all sides (authorities, villagers, field team, office staff, and station staff), we were able to overcome the difficult situation. The experience gained during the COVID pandemic proved invaluable: Within a very short time, we grew into a well-coordinated team. I was particularly impressed by the determination and drive with which everyone tackled the problem. We are now looking to the future with optimism: We will temporarily rebuild our orangutan rescue and care center at the same location in the short term. In the long term, we will move the center to a previously unused area on the Orangutan Haven grounds. Rebuilding the center presents various challenges as well as new opportunities.
We were incredibly encouraged to receive so much support in such a short time: from the government, institutions, partner organizations, and countless donations from private individuals."

Keep up to date on the landslide recovery efforts at the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) Quarantine Center here.

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Your donations are urgently needed. The damage to the SOCP orangutan sanctuary is immense. Initial estimates for immediate aid and reconstruction are around half a million USD. Please donate what you are able.

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