Join Chester Zoo conservation experts supporting key species this Action Indonesia Day

Chester Zoo is boosting the profile of lesser-known endangered animals and you can take part.

This week Action Indonesia Day puts the spotlight on banteng and anoa, both rare species of wild cattle, babirusa wild pigs, and Sumatran tigers.

The awareness day, which falls on August 10, aims to educate people about these species, particularly the wild cattle and pigs which are sometimes overlooked in conservation in favour of more charismatic species.

Ashleigh Marshall, Assistant Team Manager for visitor engagement at the zoo, said the day would be marked with a series of interactive talks and games.

She said:

“Action Indonesia Day has been celebrated annually since 2019 and highlights four of Indonesia's unique species. All four of these species are decreasing in numbers in the wild due to habitat loss and hunting so it's vital that we raise awareness of these amazing, and often unknown, animals.

“Action Indonesia Day is organised by the Action Indonesia Global Species Management Plan which alongside raising awareness of the species, directly contributes to protecting these species with conservation in zoos and in the wild."

From 10am to noon, there will be activities at the main entrance of the zoo, where visitors can get stuck into conservation-themed crafts and a competition to win a tiger sponsorship. The crafts and talks are free for zoo ticketholders and members. 

From noon to 5pm, visitors can find a display in the Islands zone outside the Sumba School, which also offers colouring sheets, games and more.

Chester Zoo educators will be on hand different habitats to reveal more about the animals themselves.

The banteng talk will take place at 2.15pm, the tiger talk at 2.45pm, the anoa talk at 3.15pm and the babirusa talk at 3.45pm.

Amy Humphreys, from Chester Zoo’s Field Programmes team and Programme Coordinator for the IUCN SSC Asian Wild Cattle Specialist Group, said:

“The wild cattle and pigs are all ecosystem engineers. They eat vegetation and spread seeds, adding to the biodiversity of their regions.

“They are all species that the scientific community is still learning about – we’re growing our knowledge of them through camera trapping surveys and other methods. And they are all very vulnerable to various threats.”

By taking part in Action Indonesia Day activities, and by contributing the zoo’s ongoing fundraiser, supporters can help raise these species’ profiles and ensure their continuing conservation.

To make a pledge, visit: 

www.justgiving.com/campaign/actionindonesia

Pictured - Activities and talks will take place at Chester Zoo on Action Indonesia Day.