The orangutan's rainforest habitat is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. 80% of the orangutan's rainforests has been decimated in the past 20 years. Much of what remains is degraded by drought, forest fires and illegal logging. This destruction is also inflicting a massive amount of suffering on a species that is 97% genetically identical to humans, intelligent as a 5 to 6 year old child and is self-aware. Tragically, extinction in the wild is likely for both Sumatran and Bornean orangutans if we do not take immediate action.

Donations are important to The Orangutan Project because the funds help to provide ongoing support for a wide range of projects, including habitat protection, rehabilitation projects and orphan care centres.

For example:

• Funded a community campaign to save the Tripa Swamp in Aceh which consists of 61,803 hectares and has among the highest densities of orangutans anywhere in the world.
• Started the Wildlife Projection Units in Sumatra Indonesia to patrol 250,000 hectares.
• Achieved the first successful prosecution against injuring an orangutan.

Key Areas of Expenditure

The organization provides technical and financial assistance directly to conservation projects and orangutan rescue and rehabilitation centres. This includes much needed resources for the day-to-day care needs, the reintroduction of orphaned orangutans and the locating and securing of release sites. Presently there are over 2,000 orphaned orangutans living in care centres in Borneo and Sumatra.