The Orangutan Information Centre (OIC) is based in Medan, North Sumatra, and dedicated to the protection of forest and wildlife conservation, as well as sustainable agriculture. The organization helps to restore degraded forests, responds to incidents of human-orangutan conflict, conducts patrols, teaches awareness, and offers training for the community.

April 21, 2026

While Dr. Shafkat Khan is on a working trip to Indonesia, he is sending updates to us here at the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium about his adventures and conservation work. He is visiting the Orangutan Information Centre, or the OIC, which is the Zoo’s partner in Sumatra.

Dr. Khan is getting a closer look at forest restoration and patrol work, and working to develop further collaboration between the Zoo and the OIC. One of the restoration areas that the Zoo is supporting is called Selamanya Hutan.

You can check out some of the photos he’s sending posted in the photo gallery below. One of the photos shows Rio Ardi, the OIC’s Restoration and Research Manager, showing Dr. Khan the seedlings they plant for forest work.

He will be sending updates as his trip continues, so keep checking back for more information and photos.

April 27, 2026

As part of his visit, Dr. Khan is collaborating with the OIC’s Sinan Serhadli to co-develop and co-lead a conservation planning workshop.

The OIC’s leadership and managers participated in the workshop to identify conservation goals in the three conservation landscapes in which OIC works in Sumatra. The hope is to put in place stronger, outcome-oriented action plans for the OIC’s team and ensure the two species of Orangutans’ habitats are conserved more effectively.

Check out Dr. Khan’s photos from the workshop in the photo gallery!