As conservationists, we are always learning, adapting, and refining our approach. While our existing bridges continue to perform brilliantly, we are exploring new solutions to make our interventions even safer and more sustainable.
With our partners TaHuKah and Sawpod, we are trialling a new webbing material for the canopy bridges. Ropes tightly wrapped around a tree trunk can “girdle” or strangle a growing tree, digging into the bark and cutting off its nutrient flow. This can harm the tree’s health over time.
Through research and collaboration across the conservation sector, we’re trialling a specialised tree-saver webbing that solves these challenges. The webbing offers a stable, easy-to-grip pathway that can support heavy apes and has already proven its durability in captive orangutan enclosures. The material is lightweight, UV-resistant, and built to withstand harsh tropical weather.
The TaHuKah team also conducts regular checks on all bridges and attachments to ensure both wildlife safety and tree health.
Alongside TaHuKah, we conducted detailed surveys along road corridors at 50m, 100m, and 200m distances to map orangutan nest sightings and track how wildlife interacts with the roads.
Then, combining nest data, terrain conditions, and feeding tree locations, two sites were selected.
In addition to our successful orangutan crossing, the latest camera trap footage revealed an incredible array of wildlife using the bridges. The camera traps captured pig-tailed macaques, plantain squirrels, langurs, Asian palm civets, siamangs, flying lemurs, and even yellow-throated martens all making the leap across.
This shows how our canopy bridges are transforming fragmented forests into thriving homes for wild orangutans and other rare and vulnerable species.
These new bridges were made possible by our corporate partner, Sawpod, who generously gifted us 12 tree-saver webbings, donated climbing equipment, and travelled to Sumatra to assist in on-the-ground construction.
This programme is a collaboration between Sumatran Orangutan Society, TaHuKah, North Sumatra Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), KPH XIV Sidikalang, and the Pakpak Bharat District Government.
We wish a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful community! Every bridge built, tree protected, and forest connected happens because of your support.
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