25 Jan, 2021
THE MAGIC OF SEPAN SPRING
ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION
Our Post-Release Monitoring (PRM) team from Camp Lesik is surrounded by the beautiful, natural scenery of the Kehje Sewen Forest in East Kalimantan. Not too far from camp is a natural spring known as the Sepan Spring, where animals such as deer and wild boar regularly visit to take a drink.
Getting to Sepan Spring from Camp Lesik takes about three hours on foot. The trip involves crossing the river several times at different locations, with water depths ranging from calf-deep to belly-deep. This takes physical and mental toughness to cross the strong river current safely. After such an exhausting trip, we certainly need time to rest and eat and will often grill fish caught from the river for lunch before continuing on our journey.
Sepan Spring is regularly visited by various different forest creatures, thus we have to approach the area with caution to avoid startling any animals. After stealthily and slowly moving into the area, we can then indulge in observing the tranquil beauty of the Kehje Sewen Forest and its wide breadth of diverse wildlife.
Based on our observations, the hours between 3 and 5 p.m. are when Sepan Spring is more frequently visited by forest animals. We suspect that this time of the day is when animals have finished foraging and need to hydrate after a busy day of activity. On some days, we have been lucky enough to see wild animals like deer, muntjac, or wild boar drinking from the spring all together at the same time.
The natural views around Sepan Spring are quite captivating. When the wind blows through the wide-open grasslands, the scene becomes even more beautiful and calming. Different animals often visit the area at the same time, which can create a mesmerising atmosphere that feels like it belongs in a fairy tale rather than real life. This, too, is a sight to behold and those who have witnessed it can never forget its splendour.
The beauty of Sepan Spring and the magical moments experienced there inspire us to keep working hard and remain dedicated to protecting nature. If we fail to safeguard the forest and the environment, places like Sepan Spring may cease to exist. To preserve the wonder of Sepan Spring and all of the Kehje Sewen Forest, we must work together to protect the environment - for animals and mankind alike.
Text by: PRM Team at Camp Lesik, Kehje Sewen Forest, East Kalimantan