Tiny Orangutan Baby and Mother Rescued from Destroyed Rainforest

With #WorldWildlifeDay around the corner, for the next few days we wanted to focus some attention on the realities of the wildlife in our project areas. Especially how fragile they have become, and what we can all do collectively to bring hope back! Orangutans are often considered the gardeners of the forest, not only is it their rightful home, they a play a vital role in maintaining the health of the whole rainforest ecosystem. They have a special bond which must be sustained. Habitat destruction as a result of forest fires and deforestation, threaten both this precious rainforest and its inhabitants. It has become so catastrophic, that orangutans are now Critically Endangered. The knock-on effects of this can leave the species extremely vulnerable as in Kalimantan alone, on average, 2,256 orangutans are hunted or killed every year because of conflict or consumption and their babies often end up in the wildlife trade as a by-product of these killings. Since 2009, IAR Indonesia and the BKSDA have rescued over 250 orangutans. From tiny, vulnerable babies to young infant orangutans found kept as pets. These rescues are important in saving this fragile species, but it's vital that any conservation programmes are carried out in conjunction with education activities. We have ongoing projects to help educate local communities on orangutan conservation and raising awareness that it is illegal to kill, capture or keep an orangutan as a pet. This project has resulted in thousands of new trees being planted by communities to restore precious orangutan habitat. Together, with your generous donations, we can all make a difference in protecting wildlife, and save a species from extinction! Thank you.