Javan langurs are to be
transported back to Asia

Endangered Javan langurs and gibbons bred in Kent urgently need
your help to return to the wild and ensure the future of their
species.

The Aspinall Foundation, which runs Port Lympne and Howletts
wild animal parks is appealing to readers to contribute to its Back
To The Wild Appeal, which launches today, and aims to raise
£10,000.

Money is needed immediately to fly a group of TAF-bred primates
to the Javan Primate Rescue Centre (JPRC) opened in 2011.

The Aspinall Foundation needs to raise £10,000 to pay for
transport this summer for eight Javan langurs and a female Javan
gibbon Regina to its primate project on the island.

The female langurs are Diamond, Linseed, Tambor, Tango, Dwale
and Tequilla and the males are Mycella and Adzuki.

The cost breakdown for each animal is £1,500 for the flight to
Java, £50 for transport in the UK, £5 per day for food and £3 for
bedding.

The foundation is appealing for donations - which can be made
through text message - from families, businesses, schools and
community groups.

Javan gibbons are a fast vanishing species and the most
endangered of the gibbons.

They are also one of the great success stories at Howletts and
Port Lympne.

The two wild animal parks between them hold about half the
world’s captive population and have celebrated more than 50
births.

Gibbons are native to south-east Asia, from Assam to Indonesia.
Their future is threatened by the steady destruction of their
rainforest habitat.

Amos Courage, overseas project director said: “The Aspinall
Foundation is proving itself to be at the cutting edge of
reintroduction science as well as helping to preserve the
wilderness habitats that these individual animals are released
into.”

Jamie Robertson, deputy head primate keeper, said: “This is what
The Aspinall Foundation is all about – it’s great to be able to
release captive born animals back to the wild where they
belong.”

Wild at heart KM Readers can give the appeal a major boost
by rustling up a team to enter the annual KM Dragon Boat Race.

Every penny our brave adventurers raise will go to the Back to
Wild Appeal by taking part in this fun, adrenaline pumping
event.

To take part in the KM Dragon Boat Race you will need a crew of
11 or more people who will take part in a minimum of three races at
Mote Park, Maidstone on Sunday, July 1.

If you have a pool of more than 11 simply swap crew between
heats. To book a boat online costs £400, but teams taking part to
raise funds for the Back to the Wild Appeal can receive a special
discount code reducing the cost by £50.

Crew members must pledge to raise a minimum of £150 each. Teams
entering typically raise between £2k to £5k for their chosen good
cause.

To find out more or to book your boat online go to www.kmcharitychallenge.co.uk
Use the discount code KMDBF12.