SRT and Orangutans - kit help and ideas?

[Rhob the Log]

Hey people,

 

Away travelling in Sumatra, Indonesia and have agreed to help a local conservation chapter of Orangutan SOS set up their veterinary team with SRT. Currently they tranquilise them from the ground and catch them in a big net at ground level; risky, I know. They have a rope rescue trained vet who wants an SRT setup for when the Orangs don't fall from the branch. It would also allow them to climb, tranq them in the siesta nests they build, and just generally do away with poor quality nets. Sounds good, provided they can setup and ascend within 30-40 mins before the anaesthetic wears off. Been in touch with marcus arb and have a general idea for the setup. Not used it myself, but the RW seems the way to go. Simple, quick ascent and descent kit, definitely workable for these lithe little Indonesian fellas. Been looking at the UK prices, and seems I could get the setup for around £650 + postage, and have asked a US company for a deal on it. Anyone got any advice for keeping the costs down lower? A kit merchant in Australia or New Zealand may be cheaper postage, but not sure on prices. Internet's really bad out here so hard to do the research. Already feel bad for lumping them with a Petzl Avio harness so if you could take a peek at the kit, tell me what I'm missing/what to cut out would be helpful.

 

Current kit list is:

Petzl Avio fast harness

Rope Wrench

Stiff Tether

Petzl right hand ascender

Petzl foot tape

2 petzl OK crabs

45m samson velocity 11mm static rope

random lanyard kit number 1 (£50)

DMM pinto pulley

Petzl airline

10oz Throwpod

 

Obviously it's jungle; more trees that you can shake a stick at, no lower branches below 12m, but lots of crowding and upright growth habit. Also 80% of the insects from the entire world so possibility of encountering nasty ants, bees, unidentified aggressive beetles etc on ascents. Orangs seem to be able to bend trees less than wrist thick at tips with their 120kg weight without snapping though so there's a lot of strength to the species out here. And 15" dbh in 2 years...wow! Any advice appreciated; sorry for the lack of photos, will update when I get back to the UK in September. Cheers, Rhob

[monkeyallan]

Big shot catapult?

 

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[DrewB]

RW, big shot. personally id hate to use any system that doesn't enable a descent without a changeover. Sounds like a super cool trip bro

[Joe Newton]

You may be able to get a better deal by offering to document your trip and feature the supplier in it. Something like a sponsorship.

 

Great publicity for any retailer I would have thought. Some may be willing to help out?

 

Certainly worth a try!

 

 

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[Rhob the Log]

Big shot sounds good, but unnecessary I think. The Orangs aren't climbing the emergent trees so much, sticking to the lower canopy of 25-30m so throwlinable. Depends on the skill of the team out here. Sounds like I haven't missed anything though so thanks for the doublecheck.

 

On another note, Luke Dunlevy of Treestuff has offered to sell the gear at cost so I'm super chuffed. The UK branch of the conservation organisation wants photos of the kit in action so will get them a mention on that site and get them some pics for their own use. Seems a little one-sided but it's the best I can do. Not to forget it's thanks to Sawpod for getting me the initial contact too.

[BenR]

Take more throwbags and throwlines.. Its the jungle.. **** happens and things get stuck. Only stuck 4 bags in 8 weeks in indonesia this year. Last year we got many more caught. Get a bigshot with a trigger. Its hard to hand throw in the jungle with all the undergowth. Climb on a ground based rescue system Be super safe and have fun.