The aim of the week is to raise awareness of the plight of orangutans and also of how you and I can help this wonderful animals, far away as they are.
What are the threats to orangutans?
Their habitat is being destroyed by our demand for palm oil, not aided by the expanding bio-fuel market. Orangutans and most of the biodiversity supported by tropical rainforests cannot co-exist with oil palm plantations. Illegal logging, forest fires and illegal mining are also destroying the rainforest. Fires kill and orphand displace many orangutans; they are caused by the dry debris from logging, the use of fire by palm oil companies and the El Nino effect which has caused longer than usual dry seasons.
How is the Orangutan Foundation making a difference to orangutans?
Habitat Protection and Re-Forestation If the forests are not safe, neither are the orangutans. The Foundation supports the training, equipping and deployment of fire-fighting teams in areas of critical orangutan habitat. The use of guard posts and patrols to protect a wildlife reserve and national park have been very effective. Over 150 hectares of degraded former forestland have been restored.
Translocating and releasing orangutans Orangutans found isolated in remnant patches of forests or in oil palm plantations need rescuing. Many are released in the wild. A veterinary clinic can provide care.
Education and awareness To encourage children to have a greater interest in the natural world and help them to understand the importance of looking after it.
Capacity building and sustainable livelihoods It helps to develop the capacity of Indonesians to play a role in the conservation of the orangutan. The work of the charity also encourages sustainable practices and livelihoods that generate an income without destroying the forests.
Memberships support this work, and you'll find there are a number of different memberships available, mostly for one year but also for lifetime. They start at £12 for Juniors, Students and Senior Citizens, and Family memberships and Individual Memberships are also available. There's lifetime memberships for Corporate and Individuals, too.