Tsunami Appeal

In late January 2005, representatives from Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors Worldwide visited tsunami-devastated areas of Aceh. The purpose of the trip was twofold: to deliver urgently required veterinary supplies for elephants working to recover bodies from the disaster area, and to provide humanitarian aid to forest guards and their families affected by the disaster. Our assistance had been prompted by a plea from Fauna and Flora International workers concerned about the welfare of the elephants and their mahouts working in the disaster area. Our mission was to do as much as we could to restore the morale and effectiveness of the forest guards and local FFI workers, as well as ensuring that the veterinary needs of the elephants were attended to.

For two weeks Terri Irwin and staff at Australia Zoo worked frantically to raise funds, collect equipment and supplies, and organise the logistics of the aid mission. At the end of this period over $70,000 of aid including a Toyota Landcruiser, trailer, elephant food, vaccines, veterinary supplies, elephant boots, tools, tents, and other equipment was packed and on its way to Aceh. Some of the veterinary drug wholesalers donated large quantities of worming medications for the elephants, Trailers 2000 donated a $9000 trailer, Scifleet Toyota donated the Toyota Landcruiser, and many individuals donated money, purchased equipment, or gave items that they owned.

The Australian Wildlife Hospital's Senior Veterinarian, Dr Jon Hanger and Australia Zoo's Big Cat Handler Supervisor Giles Clark flew to Sumatra late in January with 250kg of essential supplies, and the remainder followed on a cargo ship bound for Medan, a port on the north east coast of Sumatra.

Representatives from Wildlife Warriors Worldwide have now made several trips to Sumatra to expand and maintain their support and ensure its maximum effectiveness in the field. Steve, Terri, Australia Zoo and Wildlife Warriors are committed to the ongoing rebuilding and recovery of Sumatra’s Aceh region, and to the livelihood of its people. This is particularly true for the FFI workers in our sponsored anti-poaching patrols, on whom the wildlife and wilderness areas of Sumatra greatly depend. This is a perfect example of the importance Steve and Terri place on helping people in order to benefit wildlife.

Your generosity at work

We recently received an email from Helene Barnes of Fauna and Flora International in Sumatra. Helene was kind enough to give us an update on the situation in Aceh and details of how your generosity and the generosity of our sponsors has impacted the salvaging and rebuilding of the region. The contribution of a Toyota Landcruiser from Scifleet Toyota has particularly proven invaluable.

Attached are some photos of the ‘Mobil Putih’ in action. It has been so useful for transporting materials, supplies and people along the west coats, where half the road was washed away by the Tsunami so temporary roads have been made further inland. But as it is rainy season and the roads are not surfaced, they have become very difficult to drive along. Frequently when we drive along the roads, we have pulled trucks out of the mud where they have become stuck. The road to one village, Meudang Ghon – where we have been supporting them to start growing crops again and will rebuild their houses – became impossible for any cars to drive down… except Mobil Putih, driven by our driver Bang din.

We have been delivering seeds, fences, and school materials and taking people with the Landcruiser ever since you finally drove it to the BKSDA Office. Thank you so much for your support to FFI and BKSDA and I hope we will see you in Aceh soon to show you all our progress.

Best wishes Helene