Since February 2019, the Indonesian Turtle Foundation (YPI) has been running a turtle conservation program on Belambangan Island, Berau Regency – East Kalimantan. If you are planning to experience the challenge of living on one of Indonesia’s outermost islands, and if you are interested in making a positive change for turtle conservation, YPI is waiting for you on Belambangan Island. For those of you who are brave enough to commit to being a volunteer, between the ages of 15 – 50, Belambangan Island will be an interesting place for you. You will work directly with YPI field officers to protect and care for turtle nests, eggs, and hatchlings. This 9.3-hectare forested island has white sand, relatively healthy coral reefs, and is uninhabited. Besides turtles, the island is also home to several other protected rare species, such as the Tambun chicken (a bird species), canary crabs, and various types of raptors.
Krisna, a resident of Berau, was the first YPI volunteer on Belambangan Island for 10 days.
What are the tasks of a volunteer? Volunteers (preferably Indonesian citizens) will engage in the following activities:
- Night patrols, alternating in 2 shifts, with tasks to help YPI field officers in:
- Measuring carapace
- Installing metal/PIT tags
- Relocating nests
- Monitoring hatcheries
- Evening patrol, 1 shift, with tasks to help YPI field officers:
- Detecting hatching nests
- Counting hatched turtle egg shells
- Rescuing hatchlings
- Cleaning the beach, done daily by volunteers. Waste includes:
- Plastic waste
- Glass debris
- Wooden waste
- Assisting field officers in maintaining camp facilities, including hatcheries, watercraft, machinery, and the camp’s buildings.
What does YPI provide for Volunteers? YPI aims to provide valuable experiences for volunteers by placing them at the heart of large activities on a small and very remote island. YPI will cover the basic needs of volunteers once they leave Maratua Island (the closest island to Belambangan, +/- 75 KM). While at Camp Belambangan, volunteers will stay in tents and eat with the staff. Upon completion of the program, volunteers will receive an official certificate of appreciation from YPI. How to reach Belambangan Island? Generally, there are connecting flights from Jakarta to Berau with a stopover in Balikpapan (East Kalimantan). Balikpapan is the first city you must visit if you are using non-airplane transportation. By airplane:
- Jakarta – Berau (Kalimarau Airport/flight): IDR 1,600,000 – 2,000,000
- Kalimarau Airport – YPI Office (Taxi): IDR 80,000
- YPI Office – Maratua Island (speedboat): IDR 200,000 (Foreigners IDR 350,000)
By non-airplane transportation:
- Surabaya – Balikpapan (sea vessel): IDR 450,000
- Balikpapan – Berau/YPI Office (taxi): IDR 450,000
- YPI Office – Maratua Island (speedboat): IDR 200,000
