One of many concerns of Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) is to conduct quality research. In addition to that, our scientists have been working on the diverse research topics on conservation and the wildlife.
Recently, a research carried out by our scientist and also BNF’s Co-Director, Dr. Susan M. Cheyne, on gibbon conservation has been selected to receive a prestigious Zoological Society of London (ZSL) Marsh Award for Conservation Biology. The award is given by the Institute of Zoology (IoZ), a world-renowned research center, whose central focus is on four main areas of conservation sciences (behavioural and population ecology, biodiversity & macroecology, evolution & molecular ecology, people, wildlife & ecosystems, and wildlife epidemiology).e, universities in the UK, and Natural History Museum in London. The award given to Susan has proved the quality of BNF’s scientist to the world through her long-term research on primate. For the award, Susan was firstly nominated by her colleague from University College London, Prof. Helen Chaterjee to be one of the nominees of ZSL Marsh Award in Conservation Biology.
Dr. Susan has been working for gibbon conservation since 1997. She is particularly interested in gibbon behavioural ecology and conservations that will include population monitoring, habitat protection, and the good practice of rehabilitation of gibbons. Dr. Susan has also been involved in some projects in 10 countries related to that tailless type of ape family.
As for her outstanding dedication on gibbons, the Institute of Zoology has selected her to receive the award for the category of Conservation Biology. In this category, Dr. Susan is considered as a scientist that brings impactful research towards the understanding of animal species especially gibbons. A research done by Dr. Susan has helped the other experts to understand how gibbons use the forest and how their existence is affected by disturbances.
Susan personally hopes that the information that she presented through her research should be passed onto the public through outreach and educations to the public. By doing so, the work will be much more meaningful.
“I am passionate about education particularly about training the future generation of conservation biologists. I will be available for helping BNF develop more training and teaching for Indonesian undergraduates in the coming year” said Susan to BNF.
Susan also expresses her thanks to BNF that has been fully supportive of her for achieving such prestigious award.
“BNF is a leading NGO on gibbon research and conservation, this is down to the whole team who work to create the best research projects and to take the best conservation actions for gibbons (and all the wildlife)” said Susan.
Susan initiated BNF-OuTrop’s Gibbon behaviour project in 2005 and Felid Project in 2008 in the lowland forest of Borneo, Sabangau. She has carried out long-term research project on that smaller ape and mammal population monitoring in many cities of Indonesia. Throughout her work, she has also helped coordinating the volunteer programme and developing long-term wildlife monitoring projects for students and volunteers. Moreover, Susan also plays an important role at some international institutions and organizations such as the IUCN Primate Specialist Group Section on Small Apes, Zoological Society of London, Royal Geographical Society, Linnean Society, and Royal Society of Biologist.
By 12th June 2018, Susan will attend the ceremony hosted by ZSL to receive the award. She feels surprised and honoured for being selected as the awardee in the category of Conservation Biology.
Well-done, Susan!
Photo by Andrew Walmsley|BNF|CIMTROP
