THE IMPORTANCE OF CONSERVING ORANGUTAN HABITAT
Orangutan Day is celebrated every year on August 19th!
Orangutan Day is observed annually on 19 August and we are thrilled to mark this important day yet again in 2023! This Orangutan Day reminds us just how precious this primate species is and why we must work together to protect orangutans for future generations.
This is a momentous day, especially for those living Indonesia, as Orangutan Day falls two days after Indonesia's Independence Day, which is celebrated on 17 August annually. These two special days are not only close in date, but also in meaning: that is, that all natural beings - human or animal - deserve true freedom.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), together with both the East and Central Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agencies (BKSDA), and the Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation, have released a total of 515 orangutans since 2012 at sites across Central and East Kalimantan in the Bukit Baka Bukit Raya National Park, the Bukit Batikap Protection Forest, and the Kehje Sewen Ecosystem Restoration Concession. From these released individuals, 34 babies have been born in the wild. This proves that the hard work these agencies undertake is not in vain, and this certainly deserves to be recognised and celebrated!
Read also: A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION: TEN MORE ORANGUTANS FREED!
Despite these triumphs, there are still about 400 orangutans in our care at the Nyaru Menteng and Samboja Lestari rehabilitation centres, awaiting their chance to be released into a natural habitat. We cannot carry out this important work without the help of all stakeholders, including the Government of Indonesia, local and international partners, and local communities. You can help, by supporting orangutan release candidates on their journey home to the wild. For more information, click here! → DONATE.