Kalaweit Chania is a french national, who in 2012 won his Indonesian citizenship. Since the age of 12, Chania has dedicated his life to the gibbon ape living in Asia tropical and subtropical forests, including Sumatra, Borneo and Java . Chania to fame when he created a video that went viral, addressing the president about the haze crisis in Sumatra and Kalimantan. We caught up with him in Palangkaraya to discover the history of its Kalaweit NGOs; the largest gibbon protection program in the world.
When did you first come to Indonesia?
I left for Indonesia at the age of 18 in May 1998. The first thing I did was go to Borneo for three months to study and see how the situation deforestation was. After three months, I realized that a project like mine was required and the first program gibbon born in September 1999.
As a child in France, I always loved primates, and the first time I meet a gibbon in a zoo, he looked into my eyes so sadly. He was alone and wanted to help and understand what was wrong. I learned that gibbons are monogamous, making it difficult for zoos to carry out successfully mating programs.
I asked the zoo director if I could come for free every Wednesday when I'm not in school. I did it for five years from the age of 12. Finally, I started helping other zoos in France with their gibbon programs.
How did you raise funds to set up your Kalaweit charity in Indonesia?
When I was 16, I published a book on the behavior of gibbon. Journalists were interested because I am a 16 year old who has not been outside playing football with friends. Actress Muriel Robin called me and said, "You want to go to Asia to help gibbons, I want to help you" She funded, and to this day she still looks at the development of the organization and. we are good friends.
Tell us about the labor of love made in protecting the gibbon and other threatened animals.
Kalaweit covers . whole of Sumatra, Borneo and the Mentawai We have two sanctuaries and reserves
We help by:.
1) Giving a second chance to animals kept as pets or are victims . deforestation through rehabilitation and return them to the wild gibbons 285 are in our custody now 2) Ensure forestland for conservation. - I buy land where biodiversity is high for micro- reserves. in Sumatra, we have 281 hectares, and in Borneo, we have 20 hectares, we hope to reach 100 hectares by the end of the year. 3) Involve local people in our struggle with our television stations and radio programs.
We also help the government in protecting the reserve. I am a paramotor pilot and I fly every once a month -. I also do this to illustrate deforestation
How much is the forestland you buy for conservation purposes?
In Sumatra, it costs about Rp.15 million per hectare and Borneo around Rp.25 million per hectare.
Not all franchise owners of palm oil getting involved with conservation?
You see the big companies that own thousands of hectares of forests that are trying to do good to protect their image. Some companies will actually keep 10 percent of their concession as a sanctuary for the animals.
In Sumatra I Siamang gibbons released a reserve of 2,000 hectares belonging to a private guy in a palm oil concession. It will be very difficult for him to change his mind now as I released the animals in the forest which we accompanied with a large advertising campaign.
When you fight this industry, you must protect yourself by making you famous. I am very upset as a father to see my very sick children and people die because of the smoke and palm oil.
I never imagined the video would go viral. When I downloaded it the next morning, there were 35,000 views. Forest Minister asked me to come to Jakarta, but it just felt like they did not want what I do 'problems', no more. I really feel as if nothing will change. This year, if we have a dry season, the same thing will happen.
What is the biggest challenge you face?
The lack of law enforcement in Indonesia. There are also still many people high profile in Indonesia working for the government but still keep the animals protected in their homes - because they can and they do not care. When law enforcement does not work, you can not expect much.
You say that the forests of Indonesia will disappear in 2030. Do you see a progression from the government to stop this?
This is the biggest frustration because you feel like a witness. After check-in, forests remain, although in bad shape. My goal was to secure forestland after identification to protect animals left, but since 2000, every piece of land is converted to oil palm plantations.
The government believes that companies that have concessions for palm oil do not work outside of their borders, but in fact there are many land used for palm oil plantations outside these concessions, which are under private ownership, and destroy the forest even on peat land. There is a moratorium, but this applies only to businesses, not individuals.
With all the frustrations and difficulties you encounter, are you still optimistic that you can make a difference?
Each hectare of land and every animal saved is a victory.
I learned that the goal is less important than the process. If I know that the world will end next week, I'll still save gibbons because it's what I do. I do not want to be pessimistic because I lose the energy to keep fighting. We just have to act.
Chania Kalaweit save an orangutan
Have you found a positive response from listeners of your radio station Kalaweit Radio Palangkaraya?
Our station began in 2003 and targets young disseminating good music and funny performances. Every hour, we air messages on gibbons and forest. 70 percent of rescued animals we see are actually our listeners. In schools, children will tell their friends out of gibbons own pet and at the end they give them to us for rehabilitation.
Tell us about your show Kalaweit Wildlife Rescue.
The second season begins on Metro TV in March. The cameras follow the team save my animals throughout Sumatra, Borneo and Mentawai. It is the first TV program on the conservation plan in Indonesia. Have millions of people watching is the best way to help. On primetime French television I'm also in the middle of filming a documentary series where we travel the world trying to save the different endangered animals.
How readers can help?
The first thing is to say no to palm oil.
We have much to save forests, but we need the money to buy the land. We need € 550,000 per year to survive, which does not include money to purchase forestland. We are 100 percent funded by donations.
Thank you, Chania. Www.kalaweit.org Visit for more information on how you can help.