you [Music]
as a 20 year old I came to Borneo for
as a 20 year old I came to Borneo for the first time I had a dream that Borneo
the first time I had a dream that Borneo
the first time I had a dream that Borneo would be the richest rainforest on the
would be the richest rainforest on the
would be the richest rainforest on the planet that it would be colorful teeming
planet that it would be colorful teeming
planet that it would be colorful teeming with life extraordinary in all ways and
with life extraordinary in all ways and
with life extraordinary in all ways and it was true it was absolutely all of
it was true it was absolutely all of
it was true it was absolutely all of that but what I didn’t know as much
that but what I didn’t know as much
that but what I didn’t know as much about was the incredible logging it was
about was the incredible logging it was
about was the incredible logging it was just overwhelming it made me really
just overwhelming it made me really
just overwhelming it made me really think that if nothing else if my job
think that if nothing else if my job
think that if nothing else if my job will never make a difference I cannot
will never make a difference I cannot
will never make a difference I cannot live with not trying I would became
live with not trying I would became
live with not trying I would became determined to follow the process and see
determined to follow the process and see
determined to follow the process and see if a picture and the film can make a
if a picture and the film can make a
if a picture and the film can make a difference what is important is to try
difference what is important is to try
difference what is important is to try to affect change and I repeat that like
to affect change and I repeat that like
to affect change and I repeat that like a mantra because I think that is what
a mantra because I think that is what
a mantra because I think that is what pictures can do since then I’ve been to
pictures can do since then I’ve been to
pictures can do since then I’ve been to Borneo 35 maybe even 40 times and I’ve
Borneo 35 maybe even 40 times and I’ve
Borneo 35 maybe even 40 times and I’ve spent combined four years I would say
spent combined four years I would say
spent combined four years I would say inside the forest now I’ve just started
inside the forest now I’ve just started
inside the forest now I’ve just started I’ve only worked for 23 years I have at
I’ve only worked for 23 years I have at
I’ve only worked for 23 years I have at least 23 to go so I’m just starting up
so what I’m about to show you our two
so what I’m about to show you our two chapters the dream is chapter one it’s
chapters the dream is chapter one it’s
chapters the dream is chapter one it’s what Borneo meant to me and still means
what Borneo meant to me and still means
what Borneo meant to me and still means to me when it comes to the Borneo that I
to me when it comes to the Borneo that I
to me when it comes to the Borneo that I love that I that has become a second
love that I that has become a second
love that I that has become a second home for me and chapter two will tell
home for me and chapter two will tell
home for me and chapter two will tell you what it looks like to a greater
you what it looks like to a greater
you what it looks like to a greater extent than the dream this is one of the
extent than the dream this is one of the
extent than the dream this is one of the most spectacular places it’s not a place
most spectacular places it’s not a place
most spectacular places it’s not a place where you can bump into colorful life
where you can bump into colorful life
where you can bump into colorful life all the time it’s not like Eastern
all the time it’s not like Eastern
all the time it’s not like Eastern Africa where you see an incredible
Africa where you see an incredible
Africa where you see an incredible abundance of biomass this is the place
abundance of biomass this is the place
abundance of biomass this is the place of small miracles and it’s one of the
of small miracles and it’s one of the
of small miracles and it’s one of the most incredible places when you listen
most incredible places when you listen
most incredible places when you listen and feel the forest this is a place
and feel the forest this is a place
and feel the forest this is a place where lots of adventures explorers like
where lots of adventures explorers like
where lots of adventures explorers like Alfred Russel Wallace and the disciples
Alfred Russel Wallace and the disciples
Alfred Russel Wallace and the disciples of Linnaeus ventured in to find new
of Linnaeus ventured in to find new
of Linnaeus ventured in to find new territory new species and it’s still the
territory new species and it’s still the
territory new species and it’s still the place to go if you venture into these
place to go if you venture into these
place to go if you venture into these unknown territories in Borneo where you
unknown territories in Borneo where you
unknown territories in Borneo where you would find in each expedition a couple
would find in each expedition a couple
would find in each expedition a couple of new species at least it’s one of the
of new species at least it’s one of the
of new species at least it’s one of the places where you can sit in the middle
places where you can sit in the middle
places where you can sit in the middle of this diptych of forest and use the
of this diptych of forest and use the
of this diptych of forest and use the trick that can use in any environment to
trick that can use in any environment to
trick that can use in any environment to sit still and you let the forest move
sit still and you let the forest move
sit still and you let the forest move around you from the beginning it’s like
around you from the beginning it’s like
around you from the beginning it’s like walking into a cathedral some of the
walking into a cathedral some of the
walking into a cathedral some of the lowland rainforest I’m not a religious
lowland rainforest I’m not a religious
lowland rainforest I’m not a religious person let me begin by saying that but
person let me begin by saying that but
person let me begin by saying that but it is so religious in a way it’s so soul
it is so religious in a way it’s so soul
it is so religious in a way it’s so soul cleansing it’s like a retreat to be in
cleansing it’s like a retreat to be in
cleansing it’s like a retreat to be in this place usually I go to Boni with two
this place usually I go to Boni with two
this place usually I go to Boni with two three hundred kilos of equipment minimum
three hundred kilos of equipment minimum
three hundred kilos of equipment minimum at least one durable assistant
at least one durable assistant
at least one durable assistant but actually the longest expedition was
but actually the longest expedition was
but actually the longest expedition was in 95 96 and that resulted in a cover
in 95 96 and that resulted in a cover
in 95 96 and that resulted in a cover story for the magazine and that was 14
story for the magazine and that was 14
story for the magazine and that was 14 months in the making with 1.5 metric ton
months in the making with 1.5 metric ton
months in the making with 1.5 metric ton of equipment well this is part of the
of equipment well this is part of the
of equipment well this is part of the logistical nightmare of being a
logistical nightmare of being a
logistical nightmare of being a photographer working in places like
photographer working in places like
photographer working in places like Borneo we had two boats for this
Borneo we had two boats for this
Borneo we had two boats for this expedition this trunk here this is a box
expedition this trunk here this is a box
expedition this trunk here this is a box this is a sea cam underwater housing for
this is a sea cam underwater housing for
this is a sea cam underwater housing for a film camera that we used to try to
a film camera that we used to try to
a film camera that we used to try to visualize the hidden realm inside the
visualize the hidden realm inside the
visualize the hidden realm inside the waterways and creeks and rivers in
waterways and creeks and rivers in
waterways and creeks and rivers in Borneo so we brought underwater housings
Borneo so we brought underwater housings
Borneo so we brought underwater housings for a super 16 camera heavy and very
for a super 16 camera heavy and very
for a super 16 camera heavy and very very expensive remember that and we had
very expensive remember that and we had
very expensive remember that and we had you know every scuba diving thing we
you know every scuba diving thing we
you know every scuba diving thing we needed to that we carried out into the
needed to that we carried out into the
needed to that we carried out into the forest to be able to dive in the
forest to be able to dive in the
forest to be able to dive in the waterways I think we used about 12
waterways I think we used about 12
waterways I think we used about 12 seconds of it in the film and then my
seconds of it in the film and then my
seconds of it in the film and then my wife she’s more she’s you know more
wife she’s more she’s you know more
wife she’s more she’s you know more economically oriented she said Matias is
economically oriented she said Matias is
economically oriented she said Matias is this very smart no possibly not I’ve
this very smart no possibly not I’ve
this very smart no possibly not I’ve only crashed maybe two or three cameras
only crashed maybe two or three cameras
only crashed maybe two or three cameras over the years and a few flash units
over the years and a few flash units
over the years and a few flash units that go up in smoke have you ever
that go up in smoke have you ever
that go up in smoke have you ever experienced that when when a flash all
experienced that when when a flash all
experienced that when when a flash all of a sudden says and you have this
of a sudden says and you have this
of a sudden says and you have this little cloud of smoke coming out it’s
little cloud of smoke coming out it’s
little cloud of smoke coming out it’s very disappointing and then we have the
very disappointing and then we have the
very disappointing and then we have the leeches this is normal this is everyday
leeches this is normal this is everyday
leeches this is normal this is everyday especially when it’s raining and it’s
especially when it’s raining and it’s
especially when it’s raining and it’s raining every day over the years I have
raining every day over the years I have
raining every day over the years I have tried to concentrate on this on the
tried to concentrate on this on the
tried to concentrate on this on the biodiversity the incredible diversity of
biodiversity the incredible diversity of
biodiversity the incredible diversity of Borneo and I’ve tried to show this in a
Borneo and I’ve tried to show this in a
Borneo and I’ve tried to show this in a positive way and I have lectured so many
positive way and I have lectured so many
positive way and I have lectured so many times about it I’ve made books films
times about it I’ve made books films
times about it I’ve made books films articles all the time focusing on things
articles all the time focusing on things
articles all the time focusing on things that I love things that are so
that I love things that are so
that I love things that are so interesting and some things that are
interesting and some things that are
interesting and some things that are photograph doesn’t have a name even or
photograph doesn’t have a name even or
photograph doesn’t have a name even or their new species or scientists are not
their new species or scientists are not
their new species or scientists are not sure
sure
sure it is that I photograph this is a lizard
it is that I photograph this is a lizard
it is that I photograph this is a lizard that we know when you talk about the
that we know when you talk about the
that we know when you talk about the environment you talk about climate
environment you talk about climate
environment you talk about climate change you talk about the loss of
change you talk about the loss of
change you talk about the loss of biodiversity you talk about pandemics or
biodiversity you talk about pandemics or
biodiversity you talk about pandemics or you talk about just any of the big
you talk about just any of the big
you talk about just any of the big issues it’s hard for especially young
issues it’s hard for especially young
issues it’s hard for especially young people to relate to it’s hard for all of
people to relate to it’s hard for all of
people to relate to it’s hard for all of us to relate to really what is it what
us to relate to really what is it what
us to relate to really what is it what what what does it have to do with me so
what what does it have to do with me so
what what does it have to do with me so what I’ve tried to do in Borneo for
what I’ve tried to do in Borneo for
what I’ve tried to do in Borneo for example is to find ambassadors that
example is to find ambassadors that
example is to find ambassadors that people possibly can relate to or it’s
people possibly can relate to or it’s
people possibly can relate to or it’s not related to at least be interested in
not related to at least be interested in
not related to at least be interested in as a ticket of an understanding what we
as a ticket of an understanding what we
as a ticket of an understanding what we care about what we feel strongly for we
care about what we feel strongly for we
care about what we feel strongly for we want to keep and cherish know more about
want to keep and cherish know more about
want to keep and cherish know more about so all of these things what was that was
so all of these things what was that was
so all of these things what was that was the reason for me going to Borneo again
the reason for me going to Borneo again
the reason for me going to Borneo again and again and again the challenge to
and again and again the challenge to
and again and again the challenge to find the pygmy elephants here’s a
find the pygmy elephants here’s a
find the pygmy elephants here’s a picture where you can actually see my
picture where you can actually see my
picture where you can actually see my wife that’s Monica she’s not only my
wife that’s Monica she’s not only my
wife that’s Monica she’s not only my wife she’s also my my partner in crimes
wife she’s also my my partner in crimes
wife she’s also my my partner in crimes here she in crime she is also a
here she in crime she is also a
here she in crime she is also a photographer and I’m pretty film
photographer and I’m pretty film
photographer and I’m pretty film producer and this is me and this is a
producer and this is me and this is a
producer and this is me and this is a day at work and we really like the view
day at work and we really like the view
day at work and we really like the view from our office visit before we had kids
from our office visit before we had kids
from our office visit before we had kids now we have two boys so now we only
now we have two boys so now we only
now we have two boys so now we only climb to this level this is lunchtime
climb to this level this is lunchtime
climb to this level this is lunchtime the husband-and-wife teams about 210
the husband-and-wife teams about 210
the husband-and-wife teams about 210 feet up in a fig tree well it’s actually
feet up in a fig tree well it’s actually
feet up in a fig tree well it’s actually a fig that has sort of encapsulated a
a fig that has sort of encapsulated a
a fig that has sort of encapsulated a big dipped oracle tree and this is
big dipped oracle tree and this is
big dipped oracle tree and this is another blind this is me about 150 feet
another blind this is me about 150 feet
another blind this is me about 150 feet up in a tree camouflaged with camouflage
up in a tree camouflaged with camouflage
up in a tree camouflaged with camouflage nets tarps and waiting for something to
nets tarps and waiting for something to
nets tarps and waiting for something to come by
come by
come by usually strategically positioned in
usually strategically positioned in
usually strategically positioned in front of trees that were fruit
front of trees that were fruit
front of trees that were fruit eventually not you know if you bought if
eventually not you know if you bought if
eventually not you know if you bought if you build the blind when it’s fruiting
you build the blind when it’s fruiting
you build the blind when it’s fruiting it’s too late so you have to build
it’s too late so you have to build
it’s too late so you have to build or the fruit ripens otherwise birds and
or the fruit ripens otherwise birds and
or the fruit ripens otherwise birds and animals of all sorts will be possibly
animals of all sorts will be possibly
animals of all sorts will be possibly afraid of you while you build your blind
afraid of you while you build your blind
afraid of you while you build your blind so you have to calculate them building
so you have to calculate them building
so you have to calculate them building it a few weeks before the fruits are
it a few weeks before the fruits are
it a few weeks before the fruits are ready to eat and then then it might work
ready to eat and then then it might work
ready to eat and then then it might work might and then you can wait for three
might and then you can wait for three
might and then you can wait for three and a half weeks to get a picture of a
and a half weeks to get a picture of a
and a half weeks to get a picture of a rhinoceros hornbill with a fig fruit in
rhinoceros hornbill with a fig fruit in
rhinoceros hornbill with a fig fruit in its beak or you can get the whip snake
its beak or you can get the whip snake
its beak or you can get the whip snake and this is my favorite I love this name
and this is my favorite I love this name
and this is my favorite I love this name what it does in every forward motion it
what it does in every forward motion it
what it does in every forward motion it imitates the I should say the movement
imitates the I should say the movement
imitates the I should say the movement of a wind stroke Liana so it will go
of a wind stroke Liana so it will go
of a wind stroke Liana so it will go like this just very carefully and if you
like this just very carefully and if you
like this just very carefully and if you have this lizard here it will go like
have this lizard here it will go like
have this lizard here it will go like this and that bat you will take it it’s
this and that bat you will take it it’s
this and that bat you will take it it’s very very smart strategy so I do the
very very smart strategy so I do the
very very smart strategy so I do the same thing while when coming close to
same thing while when coming close to
same thing while when coming close to the snake this is the largest poisonous
the snake this is the largest poisonous
the snake this is the largest poisonous snake in the world this is in danum
snake in the world this is in danum
snake in the world this is in danum valley in born here one of my favorite
valley in born here one of my favorite
valley in born here one of my favorite spots and i’ll show you how big this
spots and i’ll show you how big this
spots and i’ll show you how big this snake is too it’s about this long it’s
snake is too it’s about this long it’s
snake is too it’s about this long it’s nice isn’t it nice and big
nice isn’t it nice and big
nice isn’t it nice and big you know when it stands up with its hood
you know when it stands up with its hood
you know when it stands up with its hood flared it’s my size because it can raise
flared it’s my size because it can raise
flared it’s my size because it can raise 1/3 of its body length and Here I am
1/3 of its body length and Here I am
1/3 of its body length and Here I am crawling up to this snake and I am happy
crawling up to this snake and I am happy
crawling up to this snake and I am happy because I’ve found it finally and you
because I’ve found it finally and you
because I’ve found it finally and you can see that this is me and the camera
can see that this is me and the camera
can see that this is me and the camera and I have a lot of debris in the way
and I have a lot of debris in the way
and I have a lot of debris in the way but which which I like I like pictures
but which which I like I like pictures
but which which I like I like pictures to be as you can see you always have
to be as you can see you always have
to be as you can see you always have some brand sticking in I sort of like
some brand sticking in I sort of like
some brand sticking in I sort of like that grittiness about photography and my
that grittiness about photography and my
that grittiness about photography and my assistant lush Magnus he crawls around
assistant lush Magnus he crawls around
assistant lush Magnus he crawls around very very carefully
very very carefully
very very carefully he’s got cords and he’s got flashes and
he’s got cords and he’s got flashes and
he’s got cords and he’s got flashes and he’s got an extra camera and it takes
he’s got an extra camera and it takes
he’s got an extra camera and it takes this behind-the-scenes shot but the
this behind-the-scenes shot but the
this behind-the-scenes shot but the snake didn’t really like that so the
snake didn’t really like that so the
snake didn’t really like that so the snake opened up like this hood up a
snake opened up like this hood up a
snake opened up like this hood up a little bit and then you can see my leg
little bit and then you can see my leg
little bit and then you can see my leg here perhaps and my blue sock and a shoe
here perhaps and my blue sock and a shoe
here perhaps and my blue sock and a shoe behind the tree can you see that it went
behind the tree can you see that it went
behind the tree can you see that it went straight you know just passed me and
straight you know just passed me and
straight you know just passed me and went into a small creek and I said love
went into a small creek and I said love
went into a small creek and I said love – God we we can’t miss this chance this
– God we we can’t miss this chance this
– God we we can’t miss this chance this is so amazing that we can that we can
is so amazing that we can that we can
is so amazing that we can that we can get this snake you know it’s it’s this
get this snake you know it’s it’s this
get this snake you know it’s it’s this is one of the most elusive and hard
is one of the most elusive and hard
is one of the most elusive and hard snakes to photograph in the world
snakes to photograph in the world
snakes to photograph in the world so he understood the pressure and I
so he understood the pressure and I
so he understood the pressure and I understood the pressure but instead of
understood the pressure but instead of
understood the pressure but instead of running after the snake which you know
running after the snake which you know
running after the snake which you know might be a thing to do I don’t know what
might be a thing to do I don’t know what
might be a thing to do I don’t know what you would do but I didn’t run after the
you would do but I didn’t run after the
you would do but I didn’t run after the snake because what happens if you do it
snake because what happens if you do it
snake because what happens if you do it would just be stressed it will swing
would just be stressed it will swing
would just be stressed it will swing faster and it might even turn on you and
faster and it might even turn on you and
faster and it might even turn on you and try to strike you it would just get
try to strike you it would just get
try to strike you it would just get stressed so what I did is that I ran
stressed so what I did is that I ran
stressed so what I did is that I ran around it and I put myself in the
around it and I put myself in the
around it and I put myself in the position where I would sort of intercept
position where I would sort of intercept
position where I would sort of intercept the snake and have the snake swim
the snake and have the snake swim
the snake and have the snake swim towards me in the water so I could take
towards me in the water so I could take
towards me in the water so I could take this picture and at that time I felt now
this picture and at that time I felt now
this picture and at that time I felt now this is divine this is super I work
this is divine this is super I work
this is divine this is super I work ember the exactly this shot when I took
ember the exactly this shot when I took
ember the exactly this shot when I took this shot it was like this saved the day
this shot it was like this saved the day
this shot it was like this saved the day and the month of the year it was I was
and the month of the year it was I was
and the month of the year it was I was so happy it’s not a phenomenal picture
so happy it’s not a phenomenal picture
so happy it’s not a phenomenal picture but given that this is such a very very
but given that this is such a very very
but given that this is such a very very reclusive and hard take the photograph I
reclusive and hard take the photograph I
reclusive and hard take the photograph I was so happy but then it sold me again
was so happy but then it sold me again
was so happy but then it sold me again rush Magnus came after with all the gear
rush Magnus came after with all the gear
rush Magnus came after with all the gear and the snake saw me and Ella pits or
and the snake saw me and Ella pits or
and the snake saw me and Ella pits or these this kind of snakes they are very
these this kind of snakes they are very
these this kind of snakes they are very very active have you ever thought that
very active have you ever thought that
very active have you ever thought that when you look at snakes like
when you look at snakes like
when you look at snakes like rattlesnakes or you look at even you
rattlesnakes or you look at even you
rattlesnakes or you look at even you know crocodiles or sharks you can’t
know crocodiles or sharks you can’t
know crocodiles or sharks you can’t really see what they’re thinking if they
really see what they’re thinking if they
really see what they’re thinking if they think they’re just pretty blank not much
think they’re just pretty blank not much
think they’re just pretty blank not much happen nothing but not this guy he looks
happen nothing but not this guy he looks
happen nothing but not this guy he looks at you and he evaluates what you’re
at you and he evaluates what you’re
at you and he evaluates what you’re gonna do he slide back and forth like
gonna do he slide back and forth like
gonna do he slide back and forth like this and you can see that it’s acting
this and you can see that it’s acting
this and you can see that it’s acting he’s active evaluating your every moment
he’s active evaluating your every moment
he’s active evaluating your every moment and movement which is very very cool so
and movement which is very very cool so
and movement which is very very cool so anyway he’d saw me and it put itself
anyway he’d saw me and it put itself
anyway he’d saw me and it put itself sort of in its ceasefire position right
sort of in its ceasefire position right
sort of in its ceasefire position right in front of me
in front of me
in front of me Josh Magnus came and he got up caught up
Josh Magnus came and he got up caught up
Josh Magnus came and he got up caught up with us and he took this picture so you
with us and he took this picture so you
with us and he took this picture so you see the snake is sort of lying there
see the snake is sort of lying there
see the snake is sort of lying there haha there are two of you guys again I
haha there are two of you guys again I
haha there are two of you guys again I don’t know if I like this and I’m there
don’t know if I like this and I’m there
don’t know if I like this and I’m there I’m taking pictures a lot of small
I’m taking pictures a lot of small
I’m taking pictures a lot of small mistakes this behind-the-scenes picture
mistakes this behind-the-scenes picture
mistakes this behind-the-scenes picture then all of a sudden the snake just
then all of a sudden the snake just
then all of a sudden the snake just feels that no I’m sick of you guys I
feels that no I’m sick of you guys I
feels that no I’m sick of you guys I don’t want you and I want to pass you
don’t want you and I want to pass you
don’t want you and I want to pass you because we were sort of blocking the
because we were sort of blocking the
because we were sort of blocking the route downstream a bit so what it did
route downstream a bit so what it did
route downstream a bit so what it did was that it stood up a little bit not
was that it stood up a little bit not
was that it stood up a little bit not all the way up but maybe to a few feet
all the way up but maybe to a few feet
all the way up but maybe to a few feet up like this open its mouth and started
up like this open its mouth and started
up like this open its mouth and started to hiss very strange and I stood up you
to hiss very strange and I stood up you
to hiss very strange and I stood up you might have done too and then I backed
might have done too and then I backed
might have done too and then I backed into the water Disputes the stream
into the water Disputes the stream
into the water Disputes the stream behind me with the camera sort of a
behind me with the camera sort of a
behind me with the camera sort of a shield in front of my legs with a
shield in front of my legs with a
shield in front of my legs with a wide-angle flash on the camera to take
wide-angle flash on the camera to take
wide-angle flash on the camera to take this picture
this picture
this picture and to me the relevance of taking
and to me the relevance of taking
and to me the relevance of taking pictures of silver leaf monkeys pygmy
pictures of silver leaf monkeys pygmy
pictures of silver leaf monkeys pygmy elephants of the trees the flowers is
elephants of the trees the flowers is
elephants of the trees the flowers is that they become ambassadors even though
that they become ambassadors even though
that they become ambassadors even though it’s a few years ago I took this picture
it’s a few years ago I took this picture
it’s a few years ago I took this picture I still get mails every week at least
I still get mails every week at least
I still get mails every week at least about this photograph this is hard to
about this photograph this is hard to
about this photograph this is hard to beat and this is a bearded pig and a
beat and this is a bearded pig and a
beat and this is a bearded pig and a female on top of that look at the snout
female on top of that look at the snout
female on top of that look at the snout and this is an indicator species in
and this is an indicator species in
and this is an indicator species in Borneo they are so vulnerable to change
Borneo they are so vulnerable to change
Borneo they are so vulnerable to change and what is happening right now is that
and what is happening right now is that
and what is happening right now is that the ecosystem is like a house of cards
the ecosystem is like a house of cards
the ecosystem is like a house of cards where we have pulled out too many cards
where we have pulled out too many cards
where we have pulled out too many cards so the system collapses so bearded pigs
so the system collapses so bearded pigs
so the system collapses so bearded pigs are not as common these days and this is
are not as common these days and this is
are not as common these days and this is another snake that I love this is a pit
another snake that I love this is a pit
another snake that I love this is a pit viper that I photographed quite recently
viper that I photographed quite recently
viper that I photographed quite recently I don’t know if you guys like snakes but
I don’t know if you guys like snakes but
I don’t know if you guys like snakes but there’s something about snakes that is
there’s something about snakes that is
there’s something about snakes that is they’re so misunderstood I think and
they’re so misunderstood I think and
they’re so misunderstood I think and then we have orangutans
then we have orangutans
then we have orangutans I’ve spent four and a half months in the
I’ve spent four and a half months in the
I’ve spent four and a half months in the trees just working with orangutans
trees just working with orangutans
trees just working with orangutans trying to get footage and film these are
trying to get footage and film these are
trying to get footage and film these are one of the animals that suffer the most
one of the animals that suffer the most
one of the animals that suffer the most now we’ll come back to that yeah man of
now we’ll come back to that yeah man of
now we’ll come back to that yeah man of the forest orangutans and they’re very
the forest orangutans and they’re very
the forest orangutans and they’re very intelligent they have this enormous
intelligent they have this enormous
intelligent they have this enormous memory especially for when it comes to
memory especially for when it comes to
memory especially for when it comes to fruiting trees and where to find them
fruiting trees and where to find them
fruiting trees and where to find them and they make reconnaissance trips to
and they make reconnaissance trips to
and they make reconnaissance trips to different trees so they know exactly
different trees so they know exactly
different trees so they know exactly that well three years from now this
that well three years from now this
that well three years from now this durian tree will fruit so some
durian tree will fruit so some
durian tree will fruit so some scientists think that they actually know
scientists think that they actually know
scientists think that they actually know and can have this sense of both timing
and can have this sense of both timing
and can have this sense of both timing and place which is quite phenomenal now
and place which is quite phenomenal now
and place which is quite phenomenal now this is chapter 2 the reality because
this is chapter 2 the reality because
this is chapter 2 the reality because the dream is not there anymore that is
the dream is not there anymore that is
the dream is not there anymore that is what you just have seen and to me this
what you just have seen and to me this
what you just have seen and to me this is the Borneo that I love and that’s
is the Borneo that I love and that’s
is the Borneo that I love and that’s become a second home but this is not
become a second home but this is not
become a second home but this is not what it looks like in most places these
what it looks like in most places these
what it looks like in most places these days this is what it looks like this is
days this is what it looks like this is
days this is what it looks like this is the Borneo that I went to 1988 and this
the Borneo that I went to 1988 and this
the Borneo that I went to 1988 and this is the Borneo that I’ve worked in so
is the Borneo that I’ve worked in so
is the Borneo that I’ve worked in so much
much
much and this strangest thing is that as a
and this strangest thing is that as a
and this strangest thing is that as a photographer you’re out there to try to
photographer you’re out there to try to
photographer you’re out there to try to show the realms the encapsulated realms
show the realms the encapsulated realms
show the realms the encapsulated realms that are heaven like but to come to
that are heaven like but to come to
that are heaven like but to come to those places you travel through
those places you travel through
those places you travel through purgatory you travel through hell to
purgatory you travel through hell to
purgatory you travel through hell to find encapsulated heavens so in this
find encapsulated heavens so in this
find encapsulated heavens so in this story now published in the November
story now published in the November
story now published in the November issue of National Geographic magazine we
issue of National Geographic magazine we
issue of National Geographic magazine we turn the coin and we said let’s focus on
turn the coin and we said let’s focus on
turn the coin and we said let’s focus on what’s really happening to Borneo and
what’s really happening to Borneo and
what’s really happening to Borneo and this is what it looks like and to me
this is what it looks like and to me
this is what it looks like and to me this is like a very very nasty nightmare
this is like a very very nasty nightmare
this is like a very very nasty nightmare this is like something out of Lord of
this is like something out of Lord of
this is like something out of Lord of the Rings you know it can’t be true but
the Rings you know it can’t be true but
the Rings you know it can’t be true but this is what it looks like in so many
this is what it looks like in so many
this is what it looks like in so many areas and it’s quite depressing of
areas and it’s quite depressing of
areas and it’s quite depressing of course this is the third largest island
course this is the third largest island
course this is the third largest island in the world
in the world
in the world it used to be covered with dense
it used to be covered with dense
it used to be covered with dense rainforest peat swamp forests but at
rainforest peat swamp forests but at
rainforest peat swamp forests but at this rate that it has been leveled now
this rate that it has been leveled now
this rate that it has been leveled now since the 70s it’s one of the worst
since the 70s it’s one of the worst
since the 70s it’s one of the worst ecological disasters in history and this
ecological disasters in history and this
ecological disasters in history and this to me looks like something came from
to me looks like something came from
to me looks like something came from some other planet and just dropped and
some other planet and just dropped and
some other planet and just dropped and spread like cancer but this is terracing
spread like cancer but this is terracing
spread like cancer but this is terracing for all palm and I’m not you know this
for all palm and I’m not you know this
for all palm and I’m not you know this kind of environmentalist fundamentalist
kind of environmentalist fundamentalist
kind of environmentalist fundamentalist that will say save everything our
that will say save everything our
that will say save everything our species is is the cancer let’s you know
species is is the cancer let’s you know
species is is the cancer let’s you know stop evolving stop using nature I’m not
stop evolving stop using nature I’m not
stop evolving stop using nature I’m not that naive at all I have the references
that naive at all I have the references
that naive at all I have the references working in 80
working in 80
working in 80 and countries during these 23 years and
and countries during these 23 years and
and countries during these 23 years and I I know we’re six and a half billion
I I know we’re six and a half billion
I I know we’re six and a half billion people on the planet but the thing is we
people on the planet but the thing is we
people on the planet but the thing is we have to use nature sustainably I know
have to use nature sustainably I know
have to use nature sustainably I know I’m preaching to the choir here but
I’m preaching to the choir here but
I’m preaching to the choir here but that’s what we need to do this is the
that’s what we need to do this is the
that’s what we need to do this is the Bakken dam in Borneo this is a
Bakken dam in Borneo this is a
Bakken dam in Borneo this is a hydroelectric dam that is built in the
hydroelectric dam that is built in the
hydroelectric dam that is built in the middle of one of the richest ecological
middle of one of the richest ecological
middle of one of the richest ecological hotspots in Malaysia and the pilot was
hotspots in Malaysia and the pilot was
hotspots in Malaysia and the pilot was so afraid of flying over this area she
so afraid of flying over this area she
so afraid of flying over this area she said we can only take one turn because
said we can only take one turn because
said we can only take one turn because if they see it’s me I would be out of a
if they see it’s me I would be out of a
if they see it’s me I would be out of a job and I won’t be able to send my kids
job and I won’t be able to send my kids
job and I won’t be able to send my kids he wanted to send his daughter to Japan
he wanted to send his daughter to Japan
he wanted to send his daughter to Japan to study he said that I can forget about
to study he said that I can forget about
to study he said that I can forget about it so we have to just make one round
it so we have to just make one round
it so we have to just make one round around this but kun damn we couldn’t
around this but kun damn we couldn’t
around this but kun damn we couldn’t have any guides or interpreters because
have any guides or interpreters because
have any guides or interpreters because nobody wanted to take the risk to join
nobody wanted to take the risk to join
nobody wanted to take the risk to join us because there is so much corruption
us because there is so much corruption
us because there is so much corruption in some of the places we worked and most
in some of the places we worked and most
in some of the places we worked and most of the places we worked unfortunately so
of the places we worked unfortunately so
of the places we worked unfortunately so for example one of our drivers said that
for example one of our drivers said that
for example one of our drivers said that well they know where I live so they
well they know where I live so they
well they know where I live so they can’t be seen with you so we had to jump
can’t be seen with you so we had to jump
can’t be seen with you so we had to jump out of the cars and walk into the night
out of the cars and walk into the night
out of the cars and walk into the night or into the logging concessions and then
or into the logging concessions and then
or into the logging concessions and then just make some blend and try to be
just make some blend and try to be
just make some blend and try to be socially sort of become accepted by by
socially sort of become accepted by by
socially sort of become accepted by by these wonderful people I mean the
these wonderful people I mean the
these wonderful people I mean the workers are great it’s just that they
workers are great it’s just that they
workers are great it’s just that they are nervous that their bosses will then
are nervous that their bosses will then
are nervous that their bosses will then see us together so we had to hide every
see us together so we had to hide every
see us together so we had to hide every time they recommended that we’d hide the
time they recommended that we’d hide the
time they recommended that we’d hide the thing is we have a tendency to think
thing is we have a tendency to think
thing is we have a tendency to think that we cannot personally as individuals
that we cannot personally as individuals
that we cannot personally as individuals make a difference I meet that quite
make a difference I meet that quite
make a difference I meet that quite frequently that people feel that it’s up
frequently that people feel that it’s up
frequently that people feel that it’s up to somebody else what I feel is that
to somebody else what I feel is that
to somebody else what I feel is that when I see this when I get to get all of
when I see this when I get to get all of
when I see this when I get to get all of this knowledge and the references that I
this knowledge and the references that I
this knowledge and the references that I get from this I feel that that is
get from this I feel that that is
get from this I feel that that is definitely wrong
definitely wrong
definitely wrong I think we can all make a difference the
I think we can all make a difference the
I think we can all make a difference the only thing that can save places like
only thing that can save places like
only thing that can save places like Borneo I think is that we can make the
Borneo I think is that we can make the
Borneo I think is that we can make the people that live there we have to give
people that live there we have to give
people that live there we have to give them a better future a more sustainable
them a better future a more sustainable
them a better future a more sustainable future we have to try to give them
future we have to try to give them
future we have to try to give them alternatives that are good that they can
alternatives that are good that they can
alternatives that are good that they can prosper they can live in a good way in a
prosper they can live in a good way in a
prosper they can live in a good way in a sustainable way without completely
sustainable way without completely
sustainable way without completely massacring their their nature and by
massacring their their nature and by
massacring their their nature and by consuming the right things by making the
consuming the right things by making the
consuming the right things by making the right everyday choices by using your
right everyday choices by using your
right everyday choices by using your voice our voices in a democratic process
voice our voices in a democratic process
voice our voices in a democratic process if you may we can really make a
if you may we can really make a
if you may we can really make a difference
difference
difference these workers are Indonesian workers
these workers are Indonesian workers
these workers are Indonesian workers about 1 million workers came to Borneo
about 1 million workers came to Borneo
about 1 million workers came to Borneo to find a new way of life to have a good
to find a new way of life to have a good
to find a new way of life to have a good job but what happens now is that they
job but what happens now is that they
job but what happens now is that they have logged almost everything in
have logged almost everything in
have logged almost everything in Southern Cal and on which means that
Southern Cal and on which means that
Southern Cal and on which means that there is not a future for a lot of
there is not a future for a lot of
there is not a future for a lot of people safeguarding a natural realm is
people safeguarding a natural realm is
people safeguarding a natural realm is also safeguarding people’s futures we
also safeguarding people’s futures we
also safeguarding people’s futures we have to make sure we use nature and not
have to make sure we use nature and not
have to make sure we use nature and not misuse nature so this story is it is
misuse nature so this story is it is
misuse nature so this story is it is possibly the toughest I’ve done and not
possibly the toughest I’ve done and not
possibly the toughest I’ve done and not logistically not when it comes to all
logistically not when it comes to all
logistically not when it comes to all the equipment not staying in blinds and
the equipment not staying in blinds and
the equipment not staying in blinds and hides for for a long long long time but
hides for for a long long long time but
hides for for a long long long time but to be accepted by the workers and
to be accepted by the workers and
to be accepted by the workers and emotionally to be able to withstand
emotionally to be able to withstand
emotionally to be able to withstand really working not just traveling
really working not just traveling
really working not just traveling through hell to find pieces of heaven
through hell to find pieces of heaven
through hell to find pieces of heaven but to work in hell and from this point
but to work in hell and from this point
but to work in hell and from this point I really in this moment I really
I really in this moment I really
I really in this moment I really appreciate my colleagues that work in
appreciate my colleagues that work in
appreciate my colleagues that work in war-torn places photojournalists that
war-torn places photojournalists that
war-torn places photojournalists that work in with the with from one
work in with the with from one
work in with the with from one catastrophe to another to me this was as
catastrophe to another to me this was as
catastrophe to another to me this was as close as I have never ever been to that
close as I have never ever been to that
close as I have never ever been to that part and that kind of photography
part and that kind of photography
part and that kind of photography the thing is I think one of the greatest
the thing is I think one of the greatest
the thing is I think one of the greatest things that can happen to Bonilla is
things that can happen to Bonilla is
things that can happen to Bonilla is that you log the forest and then you
that you log the forest and then you
that you log the forest and then you have the forest that will come the force
have the forest that will come the force
have the forest that will come the force will come back and regrow and you will
will come back and regrow and you will
will come back and regrow and you will in that way
in that way
in that way save a tremendous biodiversity not all
save a tremendous biodiversity not all
save a tremendous biodiversity not all of it but a lot of it and then you will
of it but a lot of it and then you will
of it but a lot of it and then you will harvest it again and it will regrow and
harvest it again and it will regrow and
harvest it again and it will regrow and you will harvest it again and it will
you will harvest it again and it will
you will harvest it again and it will regrow and you will bit by bit loose
regrow and you will bit by bit loose
regrow and you will bit by bit loose biodiversity you will but you will still
biodiversity you will but you will still
biodiversity you will but you will still have an incredible biodiversity compared
have an incredible biodiversity compared
have an incredible biodiversity compared to if you burn it and plant a mono crop
to if you burn it and plant a mono crop
to if you burn it and plant a mono crop because that is the alternative so in
because that is the alternative so in
because that is the alternative so in order for this little family to have
order for this little family to have
order for this little family to have life to have a good life we have to
life to have a good life we have to
life to have a good life we have to determine in these countries Indonesia
determine in these countries Indonesia
determine in these countries Indonesia and Malaysia and Brunei needs to
and Malaysia and Brunei needs to
and Malaysia and Brunei needs to determine what to use and how to use in
determine what to use and how to use in
determine what to use and how to use in and what to leave for other industries
and what to leave for other industries
and what to leave for other industries such as tourism ecotourism pharmacology
such as tourism ecotourism pharmacology
such as tourism ecotourism pharmacology medicine this is an interesting picture
medicine this is an interesting picture
medicine this is an interesting picture it’s not a good picture but it’s an
it’s not a good picture but it’s an
it’s not a good picture but it’s an interesting picture this guy is in broad
interesting picture this guy is in broad
interesting picture this guy is in broad daylight
daylight
daylight taking out born in Ironwood out of a
taking out born in Ironwood out of a
taking out born in Ironwood out of a national park in Indonesia called gunam
national park in Indonesia called gunam
national park in Indonesia called gunam pollute the IRA wood is so heavy the
pollute the IRA wood is so heavy the
pollute the IRA wood is so heavy the density is so high so it will sink
density is so high so it will sink
density is so high so it will sink immediately like lead so if you put it
immediately like lead so if you put it
immediately like lead so if you put it in water just drops to the bottom it’s
in water just drops to the bottom it’s
in water just drops to the bottom it’s so the quality of it is incredible it’s
so the quality of it is incredible it’s
so the quality of it is incredible it’s called bel Yin
called bel Yin
called bel Yin so what they need to do is to to get it
so what they need to do is to to get it
so what they need to do is to to get it out they have to float it out with other
out they have to float it out with other
out they have to float it out with other timber this is obviously illegal 30
timber this is obviously illegal 30
timber this is obviously illegal 30 percent of this National Park has been
percent of this National Park has been
percent of this National Park has been logged illegally due to corruption and
logged illegally due to corruption and
logged illegally due to corruption and the thing is as soon as we go to a to a
the thing is as soon as we go to a to a
the thing is as soon as we go to a to a hardware store or furniture place and we
hardware store or furniture place and we
hardware store or furniture place and we say oh this looks great I’d love to buy
say oh this looks great I’d love to buy
say oh this looks great I’d love to buy this for my balcony wouldn’t it be
this for my balcony wouldn’t it be
this for my balcony wouldn’t it be really cool to have our keys in the
really cool to have our keys in the
really cool to have our keys in the nice and cute cupboard yes darling it
nice and cute cupboard yes darling it
nice and cute cupboard yes darling it looks fabulous
looks fabulous
looks fabulous please look what it’s made of and if
please look what it’s made of and if
please look what it’s made of and if it’s certified FSC Forest Stewardship
it’s certified FSC Forest Stewardship
it’s certified FSC Forest Stewardship Council certified or not otherwise we
Council certified or not otherwise we
Council certified or not otherwise we will without knowing contribute to this
will without knowing contribute to this
will without knowing contribute to this and I don’t blame him
and I don’t blame him
and I don’t blame him of course nobody can blame him really
of course nobody can blame him really
of course nobody can blame him really it’s a job he gets food on the table
it’s a job he gets food on the table
it’s a job he gets food on the table bauxite mining is another thing also a
bauxite mining is another thing also a
bauxite mining is another thing also a heavy issue
heavy issue
heavy issue Dessie Ratna sorry up up right there top
Dessie Ratna sorry up up right there top
Dessie Ratna sorry up up right there top right she is a scientist and she’s
right she is a scientist and she’s
right she is a scientist and she’s monitoring illegal concessions basically
monitoring illegal concessions basically
monitoring illegal concessions basically there are legal concessions but then
there are legal concessions but then
there are legal concessions but then they bribe people to let them grow sort
they bribe people to let them grow sort
they bribe people to let them grow sort of in all directions so they can mine
of in all directions so they can mine
of in all directions so they can mine more and she’s going around with the GPS
more and she’s going around with the GPS
more and she’s going around with the GPS to monitor what’s illegal and what’s not
to monitor what’s illegal and what’s not
to monitor what’s illegal and what’s not a lot of these people receive death
a lot of these people receive death
a lot of these people receive death threats
threats
threats some people even disappear because it’s
some people even disappear because it’s
some people even disappear because it’s a lot of money in this
a lot of money in this
a lot of money in this and this is the oil palm so here we go
and this is the oil palm so here we go
and this is the oil palm so here we go we have lowland forest here and peat
we have lowland forest here and peat
we have lowland forest here and peat swamp and then this is all palm and when
swamp and then this is all palm and when
swamp and then this is all palm and when you fly over it it looks green I’ve met
you fly over it it looks green I’ve met
you fly over it it looks green I’ve met a lot of tourists a lot of visitors that
a lot of tourists a lot of visitors that
a lot of tourists a lot of visitors that say isn’t it beautiful in green here it
say isn’t it beautiful in green here it
say isn’t it beautiful in green here it might be beautiful but it’s not a jungle
might be beautiful but it’s not a jungle
might be beautiful but it’s not a jungle and it goes on and on and on and what
and it goes on and on and on and what
and it goes on and on and on and what needs to be done is to find ways to
needs to be done is to find ways to
needs to be done is to find ways to obviously be able to grow palm oil but
obviously be able to grow palm oil but
obviously be able to grow palm oil but in a sustainable way so this is one of
in a sustainable way so this is one of
in a sustainable way so this is one of the major issues right now in that part
the major issues right now in that part
the major issues right now in that part of the world but when we import eco fuel
of the world but when we import eco fuel
of the world but when we import eco fuel partly made from oil palm we are also
partly made from oil palm we are also
partly made from oil palm we are also contributing to this so we have to ask
contributing to this so we have to ask
contributing to this so we have to ask for the right product if we’re all you
for the right product if we’re all you
for the right product if we’re all you know allergic to nuts we would
know allergic to nuts we would
know allergic to nuts we would definitely look you know at the package
definitely look you know at the package
definitely look you know at the package of the product we’re buying so we won’t
of the product we’re buying so we won’t
of the product we’re buying so we won’t suffocate one nice day but when it comes
suffocate one nice day but when it comes
suffocate one nice day but when it comes to environmental products and the
to environmental products and the
to environmental products and the environment and sustainability I don’t
environment and sustainability I don’t
environment and sustainability I don’t think we really look it’s hard to be a
think we really look it’s hard to be a
think we really look it’s hard to be a consumer what can I buy what can I do in
consumer what can I buy what can I do in
consumer what can I buy what can I do in my life without screwing up a place
my life without screwing up a place
my life without screwing up a place somewhere it’s not easy but but I think
somewhere it’s not easy but but I think
somewhere it’s not easy but but I think we have to start a process where I think
we have to start a process where I think
we have to start a process where I think we already start the process where we
we already start the process where we
we already start the process where we care and what we think we can make a
care and what we think we can make a
care and what we think we can make a difference and six and a half billion
difference and six and a half billion
difference and six and a half billion people we are bound to be able to make a
people we are bound to be able to make a
people we are bound to be able to make a difference both politically and as
difference both politically and as
difference both politically and as consumers this is a farmer harvesting
consumers this is a farmer harvesting
consumers this is a farmer harvesting all palm fruits this is another great
all palm fruits this is another great
all palm fruits this is another great guide these are pretty heavy and spiny
guide these are pretty heavy and spiny
guide these are pretty heavy and spiny fruits it’s a hard hard work to harvest
fruits it’s a hard hard work to harvest
fruits it’s a hard hard work to harvest them but it’s very profitable not for
them but it’s very profitable not for
them but it’s very profitable not for them but for the owner of the plantation
them but for the owner of the plantation
them but for the owner of the plantation this guy is very fit and I remember when
this guy is very fit and I remember when
this guy is very fit and I remember when I came to born here first the first
I came to born here first the first
I came to born here first the first years when I looked almost like this I
years when I looked almost like this I
years when I looked almost like this I don’t know what happened to me
there are so many species that’s
there are so many species that’s obviously suffer from this we can’t even
obviously suffer from this we can’t even
obviously suffer from this we can’t even count them I mean there’s numerous
count them I mean there’s numerous
count them I mean there’s numerous species but one that we get attached to
species but one that we get attached to
species but one that we get attached to because of their intelligence and
because of their intelligence and
because of their intelligence and because they’re both funny and sweet and
because they’re both funny and sweet and
because they’re both funny and sweet and fascinating obviously or the orangutans
fascinating obviously or the orangutans
fascinating obviously or the orangutans and these orangutans get caught you know
and these orangutans get caught you know
and these orangutans get caught you know when you log huge areas and you have
when you log huge areas and you have
when you log huge areas and you have sometimes then island so forest in the
sometimes then island so forest in the
sometimes then island so forest in the middle of these huge areas lots of
middle of these huge areas lots of
middle of these huge areas lots of animals get caught a lot of them burn or
animals get caught a lot of them burn or
animals get caught a lot of them burn or just you know go up in smoke but those
just you know go up in smoke but those
just you know go up in smoke but those are survivable then end up in these on
are survivable then end up in these on
are survivable then end up in these on these islands and what happens then is
these islands and what happens then is
these islands and what happens then is that female orangutan with babies they
that female orangutan with babies they
that female orangutan with babies they will then venture out into these
will then venture out into these
will then venture out into these wastelands or into these plantations
wastelands or into these plantations
wastelands or into these plantations when they run out of food and then the
when they run out of food and then the
when they run out of food and then the mothers are usually killed because
mothers are usually killed because
mothers are usually killed because plantation workers or you know logging
plantation workers or you know logging
plantation workers or you know logging people will then find them and kill the
people will then find them and kill the
people will then find them and kill the mother and try to take the baby because
mother and try to take the baby because
mother and try to take the baby because you can sell baby orangutans and this is
you can sell baby orangutans and this is
you can sell baby orangutans and this is illegal but it’s also understandable you
illegal but it’s also understandable you
illegal but it’s also understandable you can you can actually earn a lot of money
can you can actually earn a lot of money
can you can actually earn a lot of money when they Club the mother or hit her
when they Club the mother or hit her
when they Club the mother or hit her word or you know slay her with a machete
word or you know slay her with a machete
word or you know slay her with a machete or shoot most of the babies are died too
or shoot most of the babies are died too
or shoot most of the babies are died too a lot of them that are captured and then
a lot of them that are captured and then
a lot of them that are captured and then kept as pets contract human diseases and
kept as pets contract human diseases and
kept as pets contract human diseases and infections so there are projects in
infections so there are projects in
infections so there are projects in Borneo and in Sumatra where also you can
Borneo and in Sumatra where also you can
Borneo and in Sumatra where also you can find rank towns where they save
find rank towns where they save
find rank towns where they save orangutans and they create orphanages so
orangutans and they create orphanages so
orangutans and they create orphanages so part of my assignment most recent
part of my assignment most recent
part of my assignment most recent assignment was try to to visualize this
assignment was try to to visualize this
assignment was try to to visualize this when we are small human beings from one
when we are small human beings from one
when we are small human beings from one from from one year to three we have a
from from one year to three we have a
from from one year to three we have a certain way of we have a certain concept
certain way of we have a certain concept
certain way of we have a certain concept of life baby we see things to remember
of life baby we see things to remember
of life baby we see things to remember things in a special way orangutan
things in a special way orangutan
things in a special way orangutan they are more mature their brains can
they are more mature their brains can
they are more mature their brains can handle information and memory and
handle information and memory and
handle information and memory and emotions better actually than we can in
emotions better actually than we can in
emotions better actually than we can in that age between those years which is
that age between those years which is
that age between those years which is both frightening and fascinating and
both frightening and fascinating and
both frightening and fascinating and Center which means that baby orangutans
Center which means that baby orangutans
Center which means that baby orangutans that witness there when they can see
that witness there when they can see
that witness there when they can see their mother being killed in front of
their mother being killed in front of
their mother being killed in front of them remembers this and becomes
them remembers this and becomes
them remembers this and becomes completely traumatized by they have this
completely traumatized by they have this
completely traumatized by they have this strong memory of this so it takes them
strong memory of this so it takes them
strong memory of this so it takes them time to trust people this is a male that
time to trust people this is a male that
time to trust people this is a male that is put to to Anissa ties to so they can
is put to to Anissa ties to so they can
is put to to Anissa ties to so they can treat him against some diseases that he
treat him against some diseases that he
treat him against some diseases that he has contracted in captivity illegal
has contracted in captivity illegal
has contracted in captivity illegal captivity this male was so afraid of the
captivity this male was so afraid of the
captivity this male was so afraid of the male veterinarian so this female
male veterinarian so this female
male veterinarian so this female babysitter they called him she has to
babysitter they called him she has to
babysitter they called him she has to comfort him by holding his hand and and
comfort him by holding his hand and and
comfort him by holding his hand and and caressing him gently so that this
caressing him gently so that this
caressing him gently so that this veterinarian can work and it it just
veterinarian can work and it it just
veterinarian can work and it it just takes time for them to trust men
takes time for them to trust men
takes time for them to trust men especially females women it’s much
especially females women it’s much
especially females women it’s much easier but even then from the beginning
easier but even then from the beginning
easier but even then from the beginning it’s hard and when people tell me you
it’s hard and when people tell me you
it’s hard and when people tell me you know a lot of people tell me animals
know a lot of people tell me animals
know a lot of people tell me animals don’t have a soul you know to me it’s
don’t have a soul you know to me it’s
don’t have a soul you know to me it’s like saying the Holocaust didn’t exist
like saying the Holocaust didn’t exist
like saying the Holocaust didn’t exist or it’s like saying Borneo is fine
or it’s like saying Borneo is fine
or it’s like saying Borneo is fine there’s no logging in Borneo it’s like
there’s no logging in Borneo it’s like
there’s no logging in Borneo it’s like saying the glaciers aren’t melting some
saying the glaciers aren’t melting some
saying the glaciers aren’t melting some things are just so stupid and it gets to
things are just so stupid and it gets to
things are just so stupid and it gets to me here we have a baby orangutan and
me here we have a baby orangutan and
me here we have a baby orangutan and look at the next frame there’s just
look at the next frame there’s just
look at the next frame there’s just certain certain moments where you know
certain certain moments where you know
certain certain moments where you know you just know that they feel so much
you just know that they feel so much
you just know that they feel so much that we know that we can’t explain it’s
that we know that we can’t explain it’s
that we know that we can’t explain it’s like looking at whales like orchids
like looking at whales like orchids
like looking at whales like orchids dolphins or larger whales we just don’t
dolphins or larger whales we just don’t
dolphins or larger whales we just don’t know what they think what their concept
know what they think what their concept
know what they think what their concept of life is we don’t understand that
of life is we don’t understand that
of life is we don’t understand that doesn’t mean that they don’t think of
doesn’t mean that they don’t think of
doesn’t mean that they don’t think of course again I’m pre
course again I’m pre
course again I’m pre to the choir but it you know it first I
to the choir but it you know it first I
to the choir but it you know it first I get so frustrated sometimes with these
get so frustrated sometimes with these
get so frustrated sometimes with these thing this these babies are taking their
thing this these babies are taking their
thing this these babies are taking their going to bed but instead but instead of
going to bed but instead but instead of
going to bed but instead but instead of taking them one by one they have so many
taking them one by one they have so many
taking them one by one they have so many in this place they have 500 orphaned
in this place they have 500 orphaned
in this place they have 500 orphaned orangutans 500 without a mother 500 that
orangutans 500 without a mother 500 that
orangutans 500 without a mother 500 that needs to be taught how to become an
needs to be taught how to become an
needs to be taught how to become an orangutan again they don’t know how to
orangutan again they don’t know how to
orangutan again they don’t know how to climb really they don’t know what to
climb really they don’t know what to
climb really they don’t know what to what to eat they don’t know what to be
what to eat they don’t know what to be
what to eat they don’t know what to be afraid of they don’t know better that a
afraid of they don’t know better that a
afraid of they don’t know better that a snake they should stay away from a snake
snake they should stay away from a snake
snake they should stay away from a snake so the babysitter’s need to teach the
so the babysitter’s need to teach the
so the babysitter’s need to teach the orangutans us how to become Randy tails
orangutans us how to become Randy tails
orangutans us how to become Randy tails and that is a paradox I think that we
and that is a paradox I think that we
and that is a paradox I think that we representing the worst carnivore the
representing the worst carnivore the
representing the worst carnivore the worst predator the worst enemy will them
worst predator the worst enemy will them
worst predator the worst enemy will them be the ones that help them but that is
be the ones that help them but that is
be the ones that help them but that is the wonderful thing about us is that we
the wonderful thing about us is that we
the wonderful thing about us is that we can set things right
can set things right
can set things right we can set things right if we want to
we can set things right if we want to
we can set things right if we want to but we have to want to I will never
but we have to want to I will never
but we have to want to I will never forget this woman to the left she was
forget this woman to the left she was
forget this woman to the left she was very very sweet very forthcoming and
very very sweet very forthcoming and
very very sweet very forthcoming and very she just loved the orangutans and
very she just loved the orangutans and
very she just loved the orangutans and it’s so cute because she is in love with
it’s so cute because she is in love with
it’s so cute because she is in love with this range and I’m sure but the
this range and I’m sure but the
this range and I’m sure but the orangutan is even more in love with her
orangutan is even more in love with her
orangutan is even more in love with her and she said look at this he loves when
and she said look at this he loves when
and she said look at this he loves when I do this to him I do it every day
I do this to him I do it every day
I do this to him I do it every day and then she started to tickle him you
and then she started to tickle him you
and then she started to tickle him you know in the face as you can see he’s got
know in the face as you can see he’s got
know in the face as you can see he’s got this strange huge tooth everything that
this strange huge tooth everything that
this strange huge tooth everything that he looks so funny
he looks so funny
he looks so funny and and she laughed as much as he did
and and she laughed as much as he did
and and she laughed as much as he did but then it’s so cool because right
but then it’s so cool because right
but then it’s so cool because right after this picture was taken he looks at
after this picture was taken he looks at
after this picture was taken he looks at his rang attend friends like look we
his rang attend friends like look we
his rang attend friends like look we have the special relationship she’s my
have the special relationship she’s my
have the special relationship she’s my girl you know look at this
it’s like you know we have a thing here
it’s like you know we have a thing here going and then but look when he looks
going and then but look when he looks
going and then but look when he looks back at her with love you know when you
back at her with love you know when you
back at her with love you know when you work with wild animals wild orangutans
work with wild animals wild orangutans
work with wild animals wild orangutans you obviously never get this kind of
you obviously never get this kind of
you obviously never get this kind of relationship of course their while they
relationship of course their while they
relationship of course their while they stay away from you they can be curious
stay away from you they can be curious
stay away from you they can be curious sometimes but they choose to stay away
sometimes but they choose to stay away
sometimes but they choose to stay away which is wise but as soon as you get
which is wise but as soon as you get
which is wise but as soon as you get this kind of relationship which is to
this kind of relationship which is to
this kind of relationship which is to begin with not good but at the same time
begin with not good but at the same time
begin with not good but at the same time it is it is very emotional I think a lot
it is it is very emotional I think a lot
it is it is very emotional I think a lot of people having met dolphins or
of people having met dolphins or
of people having met dolphins or orangutans or gorillas or you know
orangutans or gorillas or you know
orangutans or gorillas or you know whatever you can for a moment touch with
whatever you can for a moment touch with
whatever you can for a moment touch with your hands or with your heart and get
your hands or with your heart and get
your hands or with your heart and get really close to that could be a memory
really close to that could be a memory
really close to that could be a memory for life they can change you I would
for life they can change you I would
for life they can change you I would like them to be wild I would like them
like them to be wild I would like them
like them to be wild I would like them to stay away from me and I cherish the
to stay away from me and I cherish the
to stay away from me and I cherish the moments when I’ve been covered up behind
moments when I’ve been covered up behind
moments when I’ve been covered up behind all these things just waiting for the
all these things just waiting for the
all these things just waiting for the wild orangutans and they have given me
wild orangutans and they have given me
wild orangutans and they have given me gifts from the forest when they come to
gifts from the forest when they come to
gifts from the forest when they come to me as wild individuals and not to me but
me as wild individuals and not to me but
me as wild individuals and not to me but they exposed themselves so I can take
they exposed themselves so I can take
they exposed themselves so I can take pictures and film them this is not the
pictures and film them this is not the
pictures and film them this is not the way it should be even though it’s
way it should be even though it’s
way it should be even though it’s charming but this is necessary and again
charming but this is necessary and again
charming but this is necessary and again this is a way for us to try to set
this is a way for us to try to set
this is a way for us to try to set things right and a lot of people can now
things right and a lot of people can now
things right and a lot of people can now adopt these young primates and give them
adopt these young primates and give them
adopt these young primates and give them a better life this is again something to
a better life this is again something to
a better life this is again something to ponder we’re six and a half billion
ponder we’re six and a half billion
ponder we’re six and a half billion people on the planet why should we care
people on the planet why should we care
people on the planet why should we care about narang eaten for god sakes two
about narang eaten for god sakes two
about narang eaten for god sakes two children permitted died from malaria
children permitted died from malaria
children permitted died from malaria does it matter if Borneo is wiped out
does it matter if Borneo is wiped out
does it matter if Borneo is wiped out and all its wildlife does it really
and all its wildlife does it really
and all its wildlife does it really matter if all the glaciers melt
matter if all the glaciers melt
matter if all the glaciers melt does it matter at all if we pollute the
does it matter at all if we pollute the
does it matter at all if we pollute the oceans I think yes because it’s the
oceans I think yes because it’s the
oceans I think yes because it’s the diagnosis
diagnosis
diagnosis it’s crystal clear that something is
it’s crystal clear that something is
it’s crystal clear that something is wrong
wrong
wrong we’re handling our planet in a way that
we’re handling our planet in a way that
we’re handling our planet in a way that is not wise my countryman carl linnaeus
is not wise my countryman carl linnaeus
is not wise my countryman carl linnaeus he’d the guy who invented the system of
he’d the guy who invented the system of
he’d the guy who invented the system of taxonomy said 250 years ago that
taxonomy said 250 years ago that
taxonomy said 250 years ago that everything is connected it’s pretty
everything is connected it’s pretty
everything is connected it’s pretty smart nobody has said anything smarter
smart nobody has said anything smarter
smart nobody has said anything smarter for 250 years
for 250 years
for 250 years I mean it’s really smart and that we
I mean it’s really smart and that we
I mean it’s really smart and that we need to understand we need to be able to
need to understand we need to be able to
need to understand we need to be able to relate to these issues we need to
relate to these issues we need to
relate to these issues we need to understand the importance of our daily
understand the importance of our daily
understand the importance of our daily choices and what we do what we make our
choices and what we do what we make our
choices and what we do what we make our lives so when we lose the Ronnie times
lives so when we lose the Ronnie times
lives so when we lose the Ronnie times when we can lose a number we will lose
when we can lose a number we will lose
when we can lose a number we will lose number of species but it’s like a pilot
number of species but it’s like a pilot
number of species but it’s like a pilot told me once if you lose some parts of a
told me once if you lose some parts of a
told me once if you lose some parts of a plane in the making me there you know
plane in the making me there you know
plane in the making me there you know you fly this thing
you fly this thing
you fly this thing and all of a sudden you hear sound and
and all of a sudden you hear sound and
and all of a sudden you hear sound and you say oh that’s something on the
you say oh that’s something on the
you say oh that’s something on the waiting what’s what’s that it just fell
waiting what’s what’s that it just fell
waiting what’s what’s that it just fell off
off
off oh we still fight it didn’t really
oh we still fight it didn’t really
oh we still fight it didn’t really matter I think this seems ok they have
matter I think this seems ok they have
matter I think this seems ok they have Roger Roger
Roger Roger
Roger Roger this is Freddy what do you say yes this
this is Freddy what do you say yes this
this is Freddy what do you say yes this is fine no problem ok Oh something is
is fine no problem ok Oh something is
is fine no problem ok Oh something is burning right here it is this crucial is
burning right here it is this crucial is
burning right here it is this crucial is this important thing no no no no it will
this important thing no no no no it will
this important thing no no no no it will be ok in short well we’re still flying
be ok in short well we’re still flying
be ok in short well we’re still flying it works well but eventually as we look
it works well but eventually as we look
it works well but eventually as we look up as we lose cards in this house of
up as we lose cards in this house of
up as we lose cards in this house of cards the plane will crash and that’s
cards the plane will crash and that’s
cards the plane will crash and that’s what we’re seeing these are some of our
what we’re seeing these are some of our
what we’re seeing these are some of our cards that we have presented that I have
cards that we have presented that I have
cards that we have presented that I have tried to show you in this house of cards
tried to show you in this house of cards
tried to show you in this house of cards I just wish that when my kids I have two
I just wish that when my kids I have two
I just wish that when my kids I have two boys one is three year old three years
boys one is three year old three years
boys one is three year old three years old his name is aina and one is seven
old his name is aina and one is seven
old his name is aina and one is seven years old and Scott two blond boys with
years old and Scott two blond boys with
years old and Scott two blond boys with blue eyes but when they grow up or
blue eyes but when they grow up or
blue eyes but when they grow up or they’re fifteen or twenty or twenty-five
they’re fifteen or twenty or twenty-five
they’re fifteen or twenty or twenty-five and they go with their friends or
and they go with their friends or
and they go with their friends or girlfriends or whatever
girlfriends or whatever
girlfriends or whatever ooh Borneo or to Alaska or they go to
ooh Borneo or to Alaska or they go to
ooh Borneo or to Alaska or they go to Iceland or they go to the Great Barrier
Iceland or they go to the Great Barrier
Iceland or they go to the Great Barrier Reef and they want to take this giant
Reef and they want to take this giant
Reef and they want to take this giant stride out into this incredibly diverse
stride out into this incredibly diverse
stride out into this incredibly diverse and colorful realm it it should be there
and colorful realm it it should be there
and colorful realm it it should be there for them I want them to be able to sit
for them I want them to be able to sit
for them I want them to be able to sit in a tree I don’t know if they want to I
in a tree I don’t know if they want to I
in a tree I don’t know if they want to I wanted to be able to sit in a tree in
wanted to be able to sit in a tree in
wanted to be able to sit in a tree in Borneo and listen to the Gibbons I’m
Borneo and listen to the Gibbons I’m
Borneo and listen to the Gibbons I’m afraid that they will not be able to
afraid that they will not be able to
afraid that they will not be able to that’s what I’m afraid of and if nothing
that’s what I’m afraid of and if nothing
that’s what I’m afraid of and if nothing else if we if we can’t find one other
else if we if we can’t find one other
else if we if we can’t find one other driving force to affect change
driving force to affect change
driving force to affect change think of children and grandchildren and
think of children and grandchildren and
think of children and grandchildren and their children what is the legacy what
their children what is the legacy what
their children what is the legacy what do we want to leave for them
do we want to leave for them
now I want to end with a few pictures of
now I want to end with a few pictures of my friends the pen on this is the one of
my friends the pen on this is the one of
my friends the pen on this is the one of the people’s truest – the oldest of
the people’s truest – the oldest of
the people’s truest – the oldest of human lifestyles hunter-gatherers in in
human lifestyles hunter-gatherers in in
human lifestyles hunter-gatherers in in the more desolate parts of Borneo still
the more desolate parts of Borneo still
the more desolate parts of Borneo still pretty desolate but they’re marked with
pretty desolate but they’re marked with
pretty desolate but they’re marked with sadness because they’re losing their
sadness because they’re losing their
sadness because they’re losing their realm surprise surprise
realm surprise surprise
realm surprise surprise demand tabara I’m working on a
demand tabara I’m working on a
demand tabara I’m working on a documentary on a man called the bottom
documentary on a man called the bottom
documentary on a man called the bottom tabara told me a story that was so
tabara told me a story that was so
tabara told me a story that was so strong while making poison darts like
strong while making poison darts like
strong while making poison darts like this he’s drying them here they use a
this he’s drying them here they use a
this he’s drying them here they use a poison called dodgem it’s sap from a
poison called dodgem it’s sap from a
poison called dodgem it’s sap from a tree that’s very very powerful and
tree that’s very very powerful and
tree that’s very very powerful and potent as a venom he said that my
potent as a venom he said that my
potent as a venom he said that my grandfather showed my father that Todd
grandfather showed my father that Todd
grandfather showed my father that Todd Jim tree that it’s essential of course
Jim tree that it’s essential of course
Jim tree that it’s essential of course for their entire life I mean that’s how
for their entire life I mean that’s how
for their entire life I mean that’s how they hunt and get their food and my
they hunt and get their food and my
they hunt and get their food and my father showed me the tree when I was
father showed me the tree when I was
father showed me the tree when I was ready for it and I showed my children
ready for it and I showed my children
ready for it and I showed my children the tree and then after that the
the tree and then after that the
the tree and then after that the machines arrived and the tree is not
machines arrived and the tree is not
machines arrived and the tree is not there anymore
there anymore
there anymore the thing is the orangutans they have
the thing is the orangutans they have
the thing is the orangutans they have advocates fighting for them but when it
advocates fighting for them but when it
advocates fighting for them but when it comes to the Penan they not very
comes to the Penan they not very
comes to the Penan they not very successful I think I’m a sort of a
successful I think I’m a sort of a
successful I think I’m a sort of a realistic optimist in a way I think but
realistic optimist in a way I think but
realistic optimist in a way I think but I’m not very optimistic when it comes to
I’m not very optimistic when it comes to
I’m not very optimistic when it comes to the pen and I think they would lose
the pen and I think they would lose
the pen and I think they would lose their culture and their way of life no
their culture and their way of life no
their culture and their way of life no doubt and if they would be happy to do
doubt and if they would be happy to do
doubt and if they would be happy to do so that would be fine if they were
so that would be fine if they were
so that would be fine if they were saying you know yeah I am so sick and
saying you know yeah I am so sick and
saying you know yeah I am so sick and tired of eating this sago porridge it’s
tired of eating this sago porridge it’s
tired of eating this sago porridge it’s like wallpaper glue fine but the thing
like wallpaper glue fine but the thing
like wallpaper glue fine but the thing is some of these people don’t they want
is some of these people don’t they want
is some of these people don’t they want to have the only thing they want is to
to have the only thing they want is to
to have the only thing they want is to have a patch of land where they belong
have a patch of land where they belong
have a patch of land where they belong have we seen it before yes we have seen
have we seen it before yes we have seen
have we seen it before yes we have seen it before but it’s strangely sad how
it before but it’s strangely sad how
it before but it’s strangely sad how history has a tendency to repeat itself
history has a tendency to repeat itself
history has a tendency to repeat itself this is my friend when he’s going for a
this is my friend when he’s going for a
this is my friend when he’s going for a walk to his
walk to his
walk to his neighbouring tribesmen the people that
neighbouring tribesmen the people that
neighbouring tribesmen the people that live in other nomadic settlements he
live in other nomadic settlements he
live in other nomadic settlements he used to be able to walk in darkness the
used to be able to walk in darkness the
used to be able to walk in darkness the people that walked in darkness now they
people that walked in darkness now they
people that walked in darkness now they say that the sunlight give them diseases
say that the sunlight give them diseases
say that the sunlight give them diseases and they die it’s not them they don’t
and they die it’s not them they don’t
and they die it’s not them they don’t get diseases from light they get
get diseases from light they get
get diseases from light they get diseases from from outside of course
diseases from from outside of course
diseases from from outside of course from new people coming in so to me this
from new people coming in so to me this
from new people coming in so to me this picture is very telling this is a little
picture is very telling this is a little
picture is very telling this is a little group of nomadic Penan that travels on
group of nomadic Penan that travels on
group of nomadic Penan that travels on the roads made by loggers now this is
the roads made by loggers now this is
the roads made by loggers now this is the Borneo I want to give to my sons
the Borneo I want to give to my sons
the Borneo I want to give to my sons this is the Borneo that I want you to be
this is the Borneo that I want you to be
this is the Borneo that I want you to be able to see go to and enjoy but in order
able to see go to and enjoy but in order
able to see go to and enjoy but in order for us to save Borneo we need to give
for us to save Borneo we need to give
for us to save Borneo we need to give the people in Borneo a bright future we
the people in Borneo a bright future we
the people in Borneo a bright future we need to demand products that are
need to demand products that are
need to demand products that are sustainable and we need to care thank
sustainable and we need to care thank
sustainable and we need to care thank [Applause]
”
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