Heroes2 Visits Masarang Foundation Part 3

Day 3: We mean no monkey business

The Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre located in Bitung, North Sulawesi, was the destination on the final day of our visit. Founded in 1990 by Dr. Willie Smits, the facility is built on a 55 hectare site, with a 1km sandy beach and 18 hectare mangrove forest. The centre is supported by volunteers from all over the world to feed and care for the animals.

North Sulawesi is one of the most well-known wildlife smuggling routes from Indonesia to the rest world. Dr. Smits's objective in setting up this rescue centre is to tackle this illegal trade, as well as to provide a home to the animals which have been rescued.

The sandy beach is the breeding ground for several species of tortoise. Sadly, it is frequented by poachers who capture the tortoises and their eggs, causing a decline in their population. The beach is now patrolled by volunteers to combat this illegal activity, and a hatchery has been set up to provide a safe environment for the baby tortoises to hatch.

We set off for the hatchery early in the morning (1am!) and witnessed more than a hundred turtles coming out of the sand. They were guided to the sea under the safety of our torches!

 At 7am, we had a hands-on experience with cleaning the animal cages and feeding the animals. Heroes2 CEO and Founder, Mr. Raymond Yap, was having so much fun feeding the Orangutans, he ended up staying with the primates well after the feeding session!!!

Learn more about the Masarang Foundation here.