Raw Wildlife Encounters

28/09/2024

HAPPY SUNDAY! Thank you to everyone who has supported me in raising money for Orangutan Haven. I was able to raise a little bit extra, which is helping support the rabies and dog vaccination program around the Orangutan Haven and Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) Quarantine facility with Yenny Saraswati, the Head Vet.
I have also been able to support the Bukit Lawang Trust dental hygiene program for 42 kindergarten kids living on the border of the Taman Nasional Gunung Leuser.
Today is my last campaign day, so any further funds will help strengthen these programs.
Donate: https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera-sumatran-ranger-program

I return with Raw Conservation Adventure in October with Peter Fogarty Photography, hosting an epic adventure into North Sumatra, a place very close to my heart. If you want to go away and join in 2025, then check out the programs here: https://www.rawconservation.com/

A big thank you to all my supporters, friends and family. It means the world to me to be able to represent your donation in a positive and meaningful way.
A shout-out to Paul Bailey and his network for supporting the dog programs with supplies and donations.
I will return with an update on how your efforts have made a meaningful difference.

Reach out if you want to get directly involved.

Photos - Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari, Ian Singleton, Jessica McKelson

20/09/2024

https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

Leuser the orangutan in his Orangutan Haven. A massive thank you to everyone who has donated to the camera and the cause. Leuser and the other orangutans will benefit from this tool.
I am about to close this campaign soon and any additional funds above the goal for the Haven and Staff will be greatly appreciated.

I am excited to get over and also support the on-ground work from Sumatran Ranger Project. Tents and bags are majorly needed for their buffer-zone border patrols. Approximately $1,200 extra is needed to reboot with large backpacks and 4 x tents.
Any additional funds will be allocated to this important project.
Once again, everyone will witness the amazing efforts when you follow the page.
Final donations: Every cent matters and builds capacity for local community livelihoods, conservation of wilderness bufferzone areas and orangutans of course!
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

08/09/2024

Thank you to everyone who has donated and helped me reach my target $3,500 for the Orangutan Haven. I am overwhelmed with the level of support to make a positive difference. I will return in October and then can share the sanctuary and the camera donation with everyone who has helped me reach this target. More importantly, its these orangutans who can never be released back to the wild due to injury or illness, that benefit the most.
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

If you still want to make a small contribution, I will be donating any further funds to the Bukit Lawang Trust for some facepaint and scissors at the local education centre.

Happy Sunday and THANK YOU. Bring on October ...🦧🦧🦧

Photos- Jessica McKelson & Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari

02/09/2024

Happy International Primate Day. A day dedicated to our cousins. I am hoping you can help me reach my target of $3,000 today. Only $131 to get to this result!
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

Meet Dek Nong, a sassy and spirited female who is a candidate for the Orangutan Haven. Dek Nong was first found in 2007 and since 2009 has lived at the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program. She suffered a form of creeping paralysis resulting in the loss of full use of her arms and legs. Fortunately, she has been successful with good treatment. The paralysis has for some time been relieved and to date has not come back, meaning she has almost full use of both her arms and legs. Unfortunately, Dek Nong cannot be released back into the wild due to her condition however, and now resides at the Orangutan Haven.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to date. I am almost there. A further $631 to reach my final target of $3,500. If you can help me reach my target today, then I only have a little way to go. I appreciate everyone's generosity and really want to make sure the equipment I get is going to be quality so it can withstand the humidity, as well as provide excellent results for the project and animal welfare.
Please share widely.

Thanks!

Images: Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari & Ian Singleton

28/08/2024

Meet Lewis! Lewis was captured and rescued from a human-wildlife conflict incident in 2016, after he was shot at by local farmers. He is blind as a result of his injuries. Lewis now resides at the Orangutan Haven in a sanctuary where he is cared for permanently.
Today I have raised $2,719 towards my campaign to raise funds for a video camera for this project.
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

This tool is vital to help support the behind-the-scenes welfare for 6 orangutans, as well as amplify this project as a live educational example focusing on human wildlife conflict. I am ALMOST at my final goal. I am asking if you can donate the cost of a coffee towards my cause, this would be great. Only $781 to go! Please help me with the final efforts
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

A massive shout out and thank you to everyone who has supported me to date. I am blown away with your generosity and determined to reach this final goal. I also cannot wait to visit this project and reunite with the teams in October, then return showcasing your support.
Photo: Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari & Ian Singleton

25/08/2024

A massive thank you to everyone who has helped donate towards my cause and support the efforts to reach 1/2 way by the end of the week. I am blown away from the generosity and trust. With only $1,215 to go, I have almost reached my target to purchase a video camera tool that will help the Orangutan Haven monitor the orangutans and improve animal welfare, whilst raising further support for the project operations.
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

Below are photos of 'Fazhren', a permanent orangutan who cannot be released due to being so humanised. He will eventually also be a candidate to the orangutan sanctuary, as they continue to progress this project. Those who have met, worked and spent time with Fazhren all know him as a sweetheart and a big softy. Honestly one of the most handsome Sumatran orangutans I have spent time with. I hope he will find his home in the future at the Haven.

I can stop being annoying and requesting further support once I reach my target. If you have any spare change ($5 and above) that can help me reach this final stage, it will be awesome. I can then get on to informing Ian Singleton to purchase this equipment in Indonesia.
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

On behalf of the Orangutan Haven staff and orangutans, Fazhren (below) and myself - THANK YOU for helping me reach my milestone of 1/2 way.

Photos: Jessica McKelson

22/08/2024

$265 to go and I am halfway in reaching my fundraising target.
A small donation can go a long way. I have had $130 donated direct in $. If you had a few $ to help me reach my target this would be greatly appreciated. I am stoked to get this far and I know how important this tool is for the projects ongoing progress.
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

I found some photos from10 YEARS ago when we commenced this project vision. Back in the day with Ian Singleton and Suherry Aprianto surveying and looking at the Orangutan Haven land. This was purchased for orangutans that cannot be released back to the wild, like 'Dek Nong' pictured below. At the time the vast swamp was designated for the Orangutan Haven islands.
10 years later this vision has become a reality thanks to the hard work of Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari & Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP).

Today 'Dek Nong' is now on her island living her best life (Photo 5 courtesy of Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari).

A big shout out to everyone who has been over, seen the vision and supported me to date.

DONATE:
https://www.mycause.com.au/p/350609/orangutan-haven-camera

20/08/2024

Only $400 away and I have reached 1/2 my goal for Orangutan Haven. Can you help me by the end of this month?
If you could support me with a small donation towards this important and POSITIVE orangutan sanctuary for 6x 🦧 that would be amazing.
Thank you to everyone who has supported myself and Ian Singleton to date.

https://www.mycause.com.au/page/350609/orangutan-haven-camera?popup=1&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3IRLghbwnLUMnCiGy5Ru9F1pwT86RZkm7ZXmDBdrabaVUUpTCyPWU08j0_aem_E3RqeqjIMxQHfZkwClP9Ag

Hi everyone, I am heading to Sumatra in October to catch up with my old work friends and orangutans at the Orangutan Haven. This place holds special meaning for me. I used to work with some of the ora

18/08/2024

Hi everyone,
It has been a while and hope you are still travelling and experiencing our beautiful planet. For all our ex-travelers who visited the North Sumatra Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) and the Earth 4 Orangutans tours, we have a really special fundraiser which we hope you can help us reach our target.
We are aiming to raise enough funds for a specific camera that can help with the orangutans welfare, the projects storytelling and setting up for behind-the-scenes video footage.
If you have a few $ to donate, this will be awesome. Jess McKelson is returning in October and will come back to every donor with a special video and evidence of the purchase at the project. Along with amazing footage of the Orangutan Haven.
Click here:
https://www.mycause.com.au/page/350609/orangutan-haven-camera?popup=1&fbclid=IwY2xjawEuI0dleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHR6wBu7QFPC13LpGS0Plpv62nyA0vY-X9FyNi9LTflRBB56PQ_YIEKSAGw_aem_VkdvBg_NtgjK2nCqaxpO8Q

If you are interested in traveling to witness the Orangutan Haven and get involved, then make sure you check out the 2025 tours here: www.rawconservation.com

I will be in touch with some epic transitions to Raw Wildlife Encounters soon which I hope you can join me. Stay in touch.
I would love to hear from all of you and what you have been up too.
Thanks for being amazing supporters both personally and with everything pre-COVID.

Regards
Jess

Hi everyone, I am heading to Sumatra in October to catch up with my old work friends and orangutans at the Orangutan Haven. This place holds special meaning for me. I used to work with some of the ora