Women at Work: Lynn Bloomfield

Posted on 22 December, 2015

It’s estimated that within just 10 years, the orangutan will become extinct in the wild.

Kaleen resident Lynn Bloomfield is one of many volunteers desperately trying to change that statistic.

Outside of her day job at the Department of Innovation, Lynn dedicates her time to The Orangutan Project, a not-for-profit, non-partisan organisation that works towards the protection of orangutans in Indonesia.

As part of her role, Lynn regularly travels to local schools and works behind stalls at markets and events to educate people on the “beautiful” great apes that are now on the brink of extinction.

“The Sumatran and Bornean Orangutans’ rainforest habitats are dropping by thousands each year because of deforestation and clearing of the land for pulp paper and palm oil plantations, with the remaining forest degraded by drought and fires,” says Lynn.

“What we try to do is look at saving the rainforest where they live, and set up wildlife protection units, which is what we fund. The units will go out and protect the rainforest and prevent illegal logging – that’s a big thing for Sumatra.”

Lynn Bloomfield at one of the Orangutan Project’s stalls.

Founded by Leif Cocks in 1998, The Orangutan Project has so far raised over $8 million for orangutan conservation.

Donations from the public, funds from community events, orphan orangutan ‘adoptions’ and grants from various sources are used to support orangutan care centres, natural forest rehabilitation, forest patrols to eliminate illegal logging and protect released animals, and local community awareness initiatives. There are currently around 150 volunteers in Canberra alone.

“We are all volunteers, so all money raised goes towards the project,” says Lynn.

“We are always looking for more volunteers, it’s something that can be done flexibly, so it’s ideal even for busy people.”

Lynn says she initially decided to volunteer when she visited one of The Orangutan project’s stalls about three years ago.

“I think it’s their nature, they’re so close to humans you can’t help but want to look after them,” she says.

In May Lynn will travel to Sumatra for an eight day trek to meet the creatures she has been campaigning for in the flesh.

“I am going with [founder] Leif and a company called Orangutan Odyssies, who work closely with The Orangutan Project,” she says.

“I’m really excited about it – slightly terrified as it’s in the middle of the jungle – but it’s going to be an absolutely amazing experience.”

For more information on The Orangutan Project, visit their website.