The Kukang Cup and Friends from Afar

This week we had two very exciting events happen in our small village.  The first was the kick-off of our Loris Football Tournament and the second was the arrival of some VIPs from England.  Never a dull moment!

On Sunday the tournament for the junior football teams from the village began.  Football is taken very seriously around here and though they are young players, they want to win!  I was amazed by how intensely some of these teams played against each other.  I’m sure many of them walked away with scratches, bumps and bruises!  Keep in mind that these are important rivalry games because all the teams come from Cipaganti.  So imagine playing your school’s biggest rival team in any sport.  Of course you want to win!  The adult tournament kicks off next week and I’m sure there will be even more blood, bruises, and scrapes.

Junior Team Ciburuy.

Junior Team Pamegatan.

Any guesses as to who the VIPs might be in our second exciting event for the week?  If you’re a fan of our Facebook page then you probably already know!  We’re lucky enough to be visited by Dr. Anna Nekaris, Dr. Vincent Nijman, Annie Fiorentino, and Peter Roberts.   Doctors Nekaris and Nijman visit the field station a few times each year to check on our study animals, discuss our goals, promote conservation locally and with law enforcement officials, and to have fun!  This year the big fun will be during our Loris Pride Days (June 13-16) where we will have a parade, football tournament, kite-flying tournament and official closing trophy ceremony.  We are all eager for it to begin!

Peter, Annie, and Dr. Nekaris arrive in Cipaganti.

Annie is a wonderful writer and journalist from the UK who is accompanying Dr. Nekaris to document her time in Cipaganti and help promote the loris love.  Some of our newsletter readers will already be familiar with Annie's work.  Peter is our new PhD candidate and will be doing population surveys of civets and taking a closer look at the trade for luxury coffee beans (e.g. coffee that’s been eaten and pooped out by a civet!).

Stay tuned next week for a look at our amazing Loris Pride Days!