ever wondered how aop got started?

President Leif Cocks tell us how...

"I was working with the big cats at Perth Zoo when Charlie Broomfield, who had been the orangutan keeper for the last 20 years, retired. Soon after, I was asked to go and work on the Primate Section to take his place. I started working with the orangutans and then it was discovered that not only did I like orangutans, but also that they liked me, so I was able to enter the enclosure with them and do things that others keepers could not. I continued to be their keeper for 12 years. Although I don't look after them directly now they are still in my area of care. Now AOP Projects Coordinator Kylie Bullo is in charge of caring for them on a daily basis, however I still see them regularly when Kylie and I have orangutan contact sessions.

The old Australian chapter of Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) was closing down, when President of OFI, Birute Galdikas asked if I would take over the chapter. After consideration I said I would not want to however, I agreed to start an orangutan organisation in Australia that would help her good work as well as others.

The underlying philosophy of the AOP being; no criticism of fellow orangutan organisations, building partnerships between organisations and funds to be distributed according to scientifically determined conservation priorities. I gathered a small group of friends that had the skills that I lacked and we started."

The Australian Orangutan Project in 2005 turned 7 years old and has over 3000 members, adopters & friends!