Friday, April 8, 2011

Miss Indonesia Joins Orangutan Forum at JISC

Press Release



Miss Indonesia 2010, Nadine Alexandra Dewi Ames appears with Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation at Jakarta International School orangutan education program.

Nadine Alexandra, who will represent Indonesia at the 2011 Miss Universe Contest in Sao Palo, Brazil, in August to September 2011, has long had a passion for the wildlife icon of her country—the orangutan. Nadine, a 20 year-old university student, has joined forces with the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOS Foundation) as a spokesperson and roving ambassador to call attention to the Borneo orangutan, which is currently on the IUCN endangered species list.  Since early childhood, Nadine has been interested in environmental issues and, as an Indonesian, sees the orangutan as one of  the most important conservation issues in her country.

On Friday, April 8, Nadine will take part in an educational presentation at the Jakarta International School, Jl Terogong Raya 33, Cilandak, with representatives of the BOSF. It will be the first in a series of appearances that Nadine will make in bringing public awareness to the plight of the endangered Borneo orangutan species.

“I am told by scientists that the orangutan is the best indicator of the health of the rainforests.  Because orangutans live in the top of the forest canopy, they can be considered the bellwether of the entire ecosystem of the rain forest. If life at the top of the canopy is healthy and thriving, so too will be life on the forest floor. Therefore, it is crucial that the orangutan be preserved if we are to have any hope of rescuing our endangered planet from the threat of Global Warming,” Nadine added.

One of Nadines primary goals is to educate young people regarding the importance of saving the Borneo orangutan, from extinction. “It is the young people who must act to make sure the orangutan doesn’t become extinct in their lifetime. The orangutan is an iconic symbol of Indonesia, similar to the panda in China, and it would be tragic to see this wonderful animal disappear,” said Nadine, prior to her appearance at the Jakarta International School where she will help educate young students on the importance of saving the species.

The BOS Foundation has, since 1991, been the world’s leading organization in rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing orangutans back to the wild. The BOS Foundation operates two orangutan reintroduction centers; one in Samboja Lestari, East Kalimantan and the other in Nyaru Menteng, Central Kalimantan. To date, the BOS Foundation has rescued and rehabilitated well over 1,000 ex-captive orangutans and will later this year begin releasing rehabilitated orangutans back to their natural habitat forests in Kalimantan.

As a spokesperson and ambassador for the BOS Foundation, Nadine plans to make as many appearances as possible at schools and events to assist in education and public awarneness regarding the endangered status of the Borneo orangutan.

“I chose to work with the BOS Foundation because they have been the most effective organization in the world in trying to save the species from extinction. I intend to use my position as  Miss Indonesia to help bring the plight of the orangutan to the attention of the world,” said Nadine. “Having been selected as Miss Indonesia was a great honor, and it is important for me to use the opportunity wisely and to do something that can have a lasting impact on the future of our planet,” she added.

The presentation will be a part of Global Issues Network (GIN) Conference, where school students—from 13 to 19 years of age—representing countries all over the world gather round to discuss environmental issues at JISC. The event will commence from 15:00 and last until 16:30 in MPR2 room.

For more information about Orangutan, special events and other details, please visit http://orangutan.or.id

(Thanks to sis Melati for the info & pics)

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