Join the Blue Cross Borneo Challenge!

15/10/2007

Have you ever wanted to observe orang-utans in their natural habitat?  The Blue Cross, Britain's pet charity, is for the first time offering animal lovers the chance to embark on an educational exploration of orang-utans in Borneo to help raise funds for the charity's work.

Lorraine Barker from Rugeley in Staffordshire is one of the participants taking part: I've always wanted to see orangutans in the wild so I'm very excited about this event.  As a veterinary nursing assistant, I'm passionate about animal welfare, so for me the opportunity to contribute to the conservation efforts being made to help orangutans in Borneo, combined with the opportunity to raise funds for The Blue Cross, is in many ways a fitting challenge. 

Participants will be guided on an incredible five-day trek through rainforests in the Sukau region of Borneo, learning indigenous hunter-gather skills along the way.  Visitors will be asked to assist park rangers as they observe and record the behaviour, feeding and nesting habits of orang-utans in the study site, which is crucial to monitoring their numbers. 

Those taking part will also work with research officers to analyse the different types of trees from which orang-utans survive. This enables researchers to determine the types of trees suitable for reforestation in a way that provides a natural habitat for the orang-utan and the quality of food required for their survival.

During the trip, participants will also visit the Sepilok orphanage and rehabilitation centre to see first hand the work being done to release various primates back into the wild.

The Borneo Blue Cross challenge takes place over 11 days, from 415 October 2008. Places are strictly limited and participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship fee to take part. To find out more about this and other active challenges organised by The Blue Cross, please visit www.bluecross.org.uk.  Alternatively, please contact the Blue Cross active challenge events team directly on 01993 825557 or e-mail events@bluecross.org.uk.

ENDS

Notes to editors

The Blue Cross is Britain's pet charity, providing practical support, information and advice for pet and horse owners. Through its network of animal adoption centres it rehomes thousands of animals each year.  Its hospitals provide veterinary care for the pets of people who cannot afford private vets' fees. For more information please visit www.bluecross.org.uk

The Borneo challenge is one of several overseas fundraising activities organised by The Blue Cross.  For more information about any of these events please e-mail The Blue Cross events team at: events@bluecross.org.uk; or visit www.bluecross.org.uk

Media contact
Ziela Haider, Press Officer, 020 7932 4063 or ziela.haider@bluecross.org.uk