Ferrero, Chester Zoo & Hutan’s UNESCO Biodiversity Programme

The Kinabatangan Biosphere Reserve, located in Sabah on the island of Borneo, follows the Kinabatangan River, one of Malaysia’s longest waterways.

The Reserve links with Borneo’s mountains, headwaters and wetland, making it a Ramsar site of international importance.

Ferrero UK, Chester Zoo and Hutan have announced details on a three year Biodiversity Research Forest programme in the Kinabatangan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, focusing on bioacoustics, ecosystem and soil health and iconic species monitoring.

Collecting conservation data

Led by Hutan, a wildlife research and conservation organisation working in the region since 1998, the programme employs cutting-edge methods through to 2028.

Scientists are using thermal drones, bioacoustic recorders and camera traps to monitor key species such as the Bornean elephant and Bornean orangutan due to these being essential indicators of a healthy ecosystem.

Soil invertebrates, birds and frogs are also being monitored.

By using these cutting-edge technologies, Hutan, Ferrero and Chester Zoo aim to build a clear picture of how the wider landscape is functioning, as well as identify where/what conservation methods are needed to have the biggest positive impact.

The Kinabatangan reserve is being chosen due to its “mosaic landscape” that blends local communities' agricultural land with native forest-rich wildlife.

“The Kinabatangan has a blended landscape where agricultural land sits alongside native forest rich in wildlife and exceptional biodiversity,” says Amanda Shia, Scientific Officer, Hutan.

“At Hutan, our mission is to ensure that people and nature can thrive together in balance. 

“With the support from Ferrero, Chester Zoo and other partners, the monitoring we are doing is helping us see what we have never been able to see before, building a much more accurate picture of where wildlife are and how management plans can benefit them across this mosaic landscape.”

Within the first year, researchers deployed 30 camera traps and confirmed 15 key pieces within the reserve, including Bornean orangutans and elephants, using a corridor that links two fragments of forest.

The scientists used thermal drones above the forest canopy to identify orangutans directly.

The data collected can aid conservationists in informing and refining biodiversity and ecosystem management across the reserve. 

This includes evaluating how animals respond to existing landscape management strategies such wildlife corridors, orangutan bridges and buffer zones. 

The results are set to be discussed and presented to local stakeholders, including palm oil plantation managers, allowing for wildlife needs to be taken into account.

Supporting sustainable palm oil

The biodiversity programme is part of Ferrero UK and Chester Zoo’s partnership to support the growth and use of sustainable palm oil, conservation, education and consumer awareness.

The partnership is moving into a field of wildlife monitoring and applied research, linking with Ferrero’s sustainability approach.

"Ferrero's approach to sustainable palm oil has never been only about what we source. It is about the landscapes where palm oil is grown, the communities who depend on them and the wildlife they support,” says Paola Nogales, Responsible Sourcing Manager, Ferrero.  

“Our long-standing partnership with Chester Zoo has been central to that approach, from raising public awareness about the importance of sustainable palm oil through to supporting the education team to deliver teaching materials to inspire and inform the next generation on this vital topic. 

“The Biodiversity Research Forest programme is the next step in our work together, generating research that can help inform how palm oil landscapes are managed, with the view to hopefully help drive wider landscape transformation beyond our own sourcing regions. 

“Long-term strategic partnerships with experts are what allow us to go beyond our own supply chain and help contribute to the wider industry.”

Within the Kinabatangan reserve, Ferrero is also supporting TRAILS.

This research programme, coordinated by CIRAD and delivered with Hutan and Melangking Oil Palm Plantations, investigates how palm oil plantations can incorporate native forest species to restore biodiversity.

Sustainable supply chains

This project links with Ferrero’s broader sustainability targets.

Ferrero demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable supply chains by prioritising traceability, responsible sourcing and long-term partnerships with suppliers.

The company carefully manages the sourcing of key raw materials, including cocoa, hazelnuts, dairy products and palm oil, ensuring that suppliers adhere to high ethical, environmental and social standards. 

“Palm oil is often misunderstood, but when it is sourced sustainably, it can be a highly efficient crop with an important role to play,” says Kirsten Pullen, Chief Conservation Officer and Deputy CEO at Chester Zoo.

“The challenge is ensuring it is produced in a way that protects nature and supports communities. 

“Effective wildlife management in landscapes like the Kinabatangan depends on long term collaboration between conservation organisations, researchers and industry. 

“Our partnership with Ferrero UK reflects exactly that. Through the Biodiversity Research Forest, we are generating vital new insights into how wildlife is using these complex landscapes and how they can be better managed. 

“This kind of robust, on-the-ground science is essential to improving conservation outcomes. 

“We are proud to be working with Ferrero and Hutan to help drive that progress and support the transition to sustainable palm oil at scale.” 

Through its “sacco conosciuto” (“knowing what’s in the bag”) approach, Ferrero maintains visibility over ingredients throughout the supply chain and uses advanced traceability systems to track raw materials back to their origins. 

Palm oil represents a particularly important focus area, as unsustainable production can contribute to deforestation, biodiversity loss and social challenges. 

To address these risks, Ferrero sources 100% RSPO-certified palm oil, has been a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) since 2005 and was ranked second out of 285 companies in the 2024 WWF Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard. 

The company also works with a limited number of trusted suppliers and monitors its palm oil supply chain using satellite technology to support a deforestation-free and exploitation-free sourcing model.