Tim Laman

| Wildlife Photojournalist

Wildlife Diaries

The Wildlife Diaries newsletter is the best way to keep up to date with Tim Laman’s latest work and travels, and to learn about photography and natural history as well. Read through his recent posts here or sign up to receive the posts via email using the form on the right.

Celebrating 40 Years of the Cabang Panti Research Station

by

Dear Friends,
This week, colleagues old and new have gathered in West Kalimantan, Indonesia to commemorate 40 years of active research in Gunung Palung National Park, known as the Cabang Panti Research Station.


I personally have been going there since 1987 – which is hard to believe but was 38 years ago. I first went there as a research assistant to professor Mark Leighton, who established the site in cooperation with the Indonesian Institute of Sciences and other local authorities just a couple years before that. Spending a year in that remote location as a young student changed my life to say the least. After my stint as a research assistant, I returned to carry out my own PhD research there. And as my focus shifted from science to photography over the years, I have continued to work there, documenting the incredible biodiversity of this very special lowland rainforest area, and the research program of my wife Cheryl Knott.


Since 1994, Cheryl has been the lead researcher at “GP”, and her long-term orangutan research and conservation program, now extending over 30 years, is one of the longest running in the world. Our kids grew up going there with us almost every summer, and are both involved in work there to this day.


So as we recognize this 40 year milestone, I want to remind you of the benefits of long term field research at Gunung Palung and at field research stations around the world. There are many. Of course when studying long-lived animals like orangutans, the long time-frame yields important insights, but I won’t expand on the scientific results here. Even more tangible are the human and conservation benefits. Well over one hundred Indonesian students have spent time at the research station carrying out undergrad or masters degree projects, as well as dozens of International students. Many have gone on to careers in conservation and education. Also, the presence of the research station has been a successful deterrent to illegal activities like logging inside the park, and hundreds of people from surrounding communities have found employment related to the research station and conservation activities and have become part of building a sustainable future for the park and its neighbors. Cabang Panti has in fact been recognized by the Indonesian government as a model research station exemplifying the benefits of international cooperation.


Please enjoy the gallery below which I hope gives you a little sense of how special this place is. It has brought together a diverse community of people around a shared passion for conservation, and the appreciation of the treasures of global biodiversity. My hope is for its continuing success.
If you’d like to learn more or get involved in supporting the next 40 years at Gunung Palung, please visit the GUNUNG PALUNG ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION PROGRAM (this link: https://savegporangutans.org/) or their engagement portal at SAVE WILD ORANGUTANS (this link: https://www.savewildorangutans.org/)

CABANG PANTI RESEARCH STATION

The Cabang Panti Research Station base camp is located here deep in Gunung Palung National Park, reached by a days journey by small boat up this river, or by a 14 kilometer hike from the nearest road. It is situated in lowland dipterocarp rainforest, with access to many different forest types ranging from peat swamp to montane forest within a short hike from the camp. It is thus uniquely situated for research on the full spectrum of Borneo’s unique biodiversity from primates to trees.

—— THE BEAUTY OF GUNUNG PALUNG ——

One of many waterfalls on the parks numerous rivers.
Morning mist in the rainforest canopy.

—— A FEW OF THE CHARISMATIC SPECIES OF GP ——

Rhinoceros Hornbill
Atlas Moth
Clouded Leopard (Neofelis diardi)

Green Pit Viper
Red-crowned Barbet
Bornean Orangutan

—— THE RESEARCHERS ——

Our family in the field back in 2016. Photo by Robert Suro.
Researchers in the field following an orangutan: Cheryl Knott with Herman and Ziya Hoiroh.
The crew at Cabang Panti – August 2022.

It’s a special place that many people have devoted large chunks of their life to. Thanks to everyone that has been part of the Cabang Panti family for the last 40 years!
And to all you readers, thanks for your interest and for caring about places like a remote rainforest in Borneo. It takes all of us to look after the planet that supports us.

Warmest regards,
Tim Laman

PS. If you’d like to learn more or get involved in supporting the next 40 years at Gunung Palung, please visit the GUNUNG PALUNG ORANGUTAN CONSERVATION PROGRAM or their engagement portal at SAVE WILD ORANGUTANS. There is an option to become a donor at any level, and even a $5 or $10 donation per month adds up with many people contributing, and you can be part of something special.