Orangutan Conservation PhD Research

I'm Andrea DiGiorgio, and I study wild orangutans in hopes of saving this critically endangered species. In a few weeks, I'll be leaving for Indonesia, where I will live in the rainforest for a year. I will be hiring two local field assistants from the town outside of the field site - by hiring local people this project provides employment outside of logging and other industries that destroy orangutan habitat, and improves the livelihood of the surrounding commuity. Your support will help with the salary and health insurance of these assistants. 

The overall goal of my research is to understand what specific plant foods and nutrients orangutans need to survive. As orangutan habitat continues to be lost, and often concessions have to be made to logging and palm oil industries, it is critical that we understand specifically what trees and habitat types are most important for orangutan survival and reproduction. This research is not possible without a team of field assistants, which is why I need your help. 

I am currently a PhD student at Boston University. If you'd like to learn more about my research, here is an initial video of me learning to climb trees so that I can complete my research : 
http://www.bu.edu/research/articles/chasing-orangutans/

I am very grateful to get to study wild orangutans, and to be a part of their conservation, and I feel it is my responsibility to do all I can to help these apes survive and thrive. I appreciate anything you can do to help me in this effort! 

Thanks,
Andrea DiGiorgio