Oscha’s crew may have considered themselves intrepid. Until, that is, they met a pair of incredible women fighting on the frontline for animal welfare, and against the wildlife trade, in the face of the myriad difficulties presented by being western, white, and female in a country that contains the largest Muslim population of anywhere in the world. Karmele Llano Sanchez, originally from Spain, and Dutch Femke den Haas are on a mission to protect the underdog, to end the suffering of primates such as macaques; which, as they're not considered endangered, are often kept caged or on chains in pitiful conditions.
 | | Caged macaque at a market |
The two young women, both aged 28, have founded their own organisation, 'ProAnimalia International', and are working on a very specialised project, the like of which has never been undertaken in Indonesia before. Macaques are sold as babies for as little as $3 in Indonesian markets, it is heart rending to see their mournful eyes peering out from squalid cages. However, at this young age they are certainly cute, and people like the idea of keeping them as pets. As Femke notes: "They're funny, they look like human babies, they act like human babies." The problem, of course, is that these babies soon grow up, their canines develop and they become more aggressive and can potentially be dangerous; it is often when the macaques reach maturity aged around four or five that they are abandoned, or handed in to rescue centres. Previously, a macaque couldn't expect life to improve much, even after rescue – often facing further confinement and isolation. This is where 'ProAnimalia' comes in. They are working on Indonesia’s first socialisation programme for these macaques.
 | | Transport to Monkey Island |
Macaques are extremely gregarious primates with a strong social hierarchy, but years of deprivation can mean that they have literally forgotten what it is to be a monkey. 'ProAnimalia' have built special cages where they can observe small groups of macaques as they learn to interact with each other. Once the monkeys are getting on well, and are no longer showing signs of stereotypical behaviour, they can look forward to the next exciting step in the project: freedom. Approximately 100 miles north of Jakarta, the polluted, densely populated capital of Indonesia, is a small idyllic island. And who are the inhabitants of this haven, deep within the Thousand Islands National Park? Lucky rescued macaques that have successfully undertaken the 'ProAnimalia' programme of treatment, and rehabilitation. Femke explains: "The principle is for these primates who have been living in horrible conditions, most have them have been living on a chain, in isolation, deprivation, for them to have a life and live freely…to be able to jump, to climb, to play, to have sex."
 | | Kotok Island, home of Brahminy Kites |
The macaques have been sterilised meaning that hopefully many more can be released on the island, and islands like it, in the future. Oscha travelled with 'ProAnimalia' and Alan Knight, CEO of 'International Animal Rescue' (IAR), to take a look at this unique project. Last November Oscha went out to India with Alan and, the comedian and IAR patron, Bill Bailey to a sanctuary for ex dancing bears funded by the charity – so this was yet another opportunity for the Cornish film crew to get a little closer to wild animals than they might choose to. Click on the link below to re-visit our Bailey and the bears feature: "It was a little nerve wracking," comments Oscha producer Martin Gaunt. "We were warned not to look the macaques in the eye, which they might perceive as a threat, and not to make any sudden movements. But one of the crew was busy filming and got attacked anyway, ending up with three bites on the back of her legs."
 | | Karmele and Femke |
Both Femke and Karmele have been bitten numerous times; Karmele has a huge scar across her forehead, which required 38 stitches, received during the rescue of a Gibbon, whilst Femke almost lost a thumb to an angry chimp. These injuries are an obvious reminder that, however cute primates may look, they are wild and should be left well alone. This is a message that 'ProAnimalia' believes crucial and the organisation is attempting to educate the public about the possible spread of zoonotic diseases often carried by primates. The islands specially chosen for the release of macaques are uninhabited, ending the conflict that can occur between these wild animals and humans – a win/win situation for all concerned and a perfect example of the ability of animal welfare and human welfare to be mutually advantageous. With no organisation like the RSPCA in Indonesia, Femke, Karmele and their team have got plenty of work on their hands with the rescue and rehabilitation the unluckiest of Indonesia’s animals – those who endure endless suffering because they are not considered important or rare enough to be protected by law.
 | | Alan Knight with an Orangutan |
They have achieved a great deal already, and luckily will have the opportunity to do much more in the future. IAR have agreed to help fund 'ProAnimalia' as they move into a new era with the building of their own independent sanctuary. Here they will not only specialise in macaques but continue their work with slow lories and Bahminy kites. If you want to find out more about their work further information can be found on IAR’s website: www.iar.org.uk Oscha hope to produce a film about the trails and tribulations of setting up the sanctuary, and about the mischievous macaques of monkey island, so keep an eye out for more news about this exciting venture in the future. As a cliff-hanger in Oscha’s action packed expedition, the crew had the remarkable opportunity to spend their last day visiting a project for Orang-utans in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, a region renowned for the local tribe’s penchant for decapitating their enemies. The crew got to see firsthand the devastating effects of the palm oil industry on the population of Orang-utans. But that’s a story for another day… | 
