Rare primate spotted in Sri Lanka

Horton Plains slender loris spotted in Sri Lanka (image: ZSL)

One of the world’s rarest primates, the Horton Plains slender loris, has been captured on camera for the first time in over 60 years.

Thought to be extinct, the nocturnal mammal was spotted by scientists from the Zoological Society of London and a team of Sri Lankan researchers whilst on a recent night-time survey.

Recorded in the wild only a handful of times since the 1930s, the slender loris has evaded experts for decades. The dramatic decline in numbers is thought to be caused by deforestation and destruction of its natural habitat to make way for tea plantations in Sri Lanka and southern India.

Roughly 5 – 10 inches (12 – 25 cm) in length, the slender loris is characterised by its short limbs, thick fur and large, saucer-like eyes.

Find out more about visiting Sri Lanka and Responsible Travel in the Indian Subcontinent, or call 01993 838 335 to speak with one of our country specialists.

Audley’s tiger initiative pays off

Audley raises money for TOFT in support of India's wildlife reserves

Audley has received a message of thanks from one of its foremost wildlife charities.

TOFT (Travel Operators For Tigers) aims to drive a more responsible and sustainable approach to tourism in India’s wildlife reserves by supporting conservation and local community programmes, along with a range of different initiatives.

As an international tour operator member of TOFT, Audley is dedicated to helping support responsible travel within India’s protected parks. One initiative which has proven to be particularly successful is Audley’s contribution of £15 for each person who books and travels with them to an Indian wildlife reserve where tigers are present. This scheme has raised an impressive £2,745 so far, and this figure is continuing to grow.

To read more about our commitment to responsible travel, or to discover how you could book a tailor-made trip to the wildlife reserves of India, visit the website at www.audleytravel.com or call 01993 838 350.

‘Orangutan Rescue’ on Sky TV

The Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre in Sepilok, Malaysian Borneo.

If you’re lucky enough to be a Sky subscriber you might like to know Orangutan Rescue premieres tonight and highlights the plight of these magnificent but very much endangered animals.

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Trains, planes and busy buses in India

Locals enjoy a bus ride in rural India

With so many incredible places to see and so many miles between them, travelling around India, especially through the more off-the-beaten-track places, can be a challenging (yet surprisingly rewarding) experience.

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Use your iPhone to help save the mountain gorillas

gorillaapp.com, the website where you can get the new iPhone gorilla app.

If you have an iPhone you can now download “iGorilla”, the first app dedicated to supporting the plight of Africa’s endangered mountain gorilla.

The app allows uses of iPhones and iPads to follow the daily lives of gorillas in Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, through reports, photgraphs and videos.

It costs $4 (about £3), most of which goes towards the conservation of the gorillas.

To find out more visit www.gorillaapp.com

Singapore’s new ‘eco-friendly’ airport lounge opens

Singapore is a popular stopover destination.

As I’m sure you’ll agree spending time in an airport these days is something to be endured rather than enjoyed, but thanks to the new “green” premium lounge in at least one, this no longer needs to be the case.

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Audley clients report for BBC Radio 4′s “Traveller’s Tree”

Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town

Two of our clients, Mr and Mrs Reeves, were featured on Radio 4’s “Traveller’s Tree” programme this week after they were given sound recording equipment to take on their trip to Cape Town and asked to record some of their experiences.

This week’s episode was all about South Africa and features the Reeves on their Audley holiday where they visited Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens in Cape Town and learned about the work carried out by Uthando.

This non-profit organisation supports 25 grass roots community projects in the townships of Cape Town. This unique Responsible Tourism initiative introduces visitors to some of the innovative and inspirational ways in which these communities are handling the social problems that confront them. The projects they support range from the care of children and the elderly through to prisoner rehabilitation, urban agriculture and the development of the performing arts in the townships.

• You can listen to the episode on the BBC’s iPlayer (Mr and Mrs Reeves are on from about 11.50 mins to about 17.20 mins).
• Find out more about Uthando by visiting the charities page of our African Responsible Travel section.
• Find out more about Audley in South Africa.

BBC’s Panorama Reports a New Threat to Borneo’s Rainforests

Male orang-utan at Semenggok Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Borneo

Tonight at 8.30pm the BBC’s Panorama programme will report on the destruction of  Borneo’s pristine rainforests in order to grow palm oil crops, which in turn, is used in products we buy like biscuits and toiletries.

The bottom line is: the rainforests being destroyed are home to some of the last and greatest wildlife havens in Southeast Asia and species like the orang-utan are now threatened more than ever.

Audley efforts to stem Borneo’s deforestation
Here at Audley our Southeast Asia team will be raising funds through various events and initiatives to help the World Land Trust (WLT) continue with land purchases in the lower Kinabatangan River basin.

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Hot Dog Sale in aid of the World Land Trust

Kate and Dan, two of the Indian Subcontinent team, at the barbecue!

Yesterday the Indian Subcontinent team continued their fund-raising efforts, this time concentrating on their second chosen charity, the World Land Trust.

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Indian Subcontinent team car wash for charity

Frankie and Joe, two of our Indian Subcontinent specialists, busy washing cars!

There have been lots of fund raising efforts going in the office recently from quizes to barbecues and cake baking to raise money for the different charities that Audley supports as part of the ‘Audley Charity Portfolio’. Each department supports a chosen charity applicable to the countries that they cover. Find out more about Audley’s Responsible Travel policy.

Last week the Indian Subcontinent team organized a car wash in aid of their chosen charity CINI (Child in Need Institute) which works to break down the cycle of poverty, malnutrition and ill health. It focuses on the most fundamental issues facing poor women and children in India, bringing about sustainable improvements in nutrition, health, education and protection from exploitation.

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