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Orang-utans have lived in the forests of South East Asia for over a million years. Yet, due to the action of mankind, their immediate future is extremely uncertain. Infant orang-utans sound remarkably like human babies. In fact, orang-utan even means “person of the forest” in Indonesian. They are one of our closest cousins, made all the more endearing by their shaggy red hair. But they face huge threats – the most serious of which is habitat loss. Indonesia has the second highest rate of deforestation in the world. In around a decade’s time only 2% of its forests could remain if we don't act now. Protecting their habitat is the only way to secure a future for them in the wild.

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Categories

  • Animals Animals
  • Environment/Conservation Environment/​Conservation
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other

    Situation

    Not long ago, the biggest danger facing orang-utans was being trapped for the illegal animal trade. This issue has fortunately been addressed, but it has been eclipsed by a much larger threat – their forest home is being destroyed around them. Isolated in small, unviable fragments of forest, orang-utans have little chance of survival. Indonesia has the second highest rate of deforestation in the world. Vast swathes of forest are being razed to make way for palm oil plantations. In around a decade’s time just 2% of its forests could remain. The government recognises this and is working with us to protect the country’s natural riches. The only way to save these gentle animals is to protect their habitat. By doing so, we save ourselves. Almost half of the medications in the world originated from tropical forests – many more are yet to be discovered. Plus, the destruction of Indonesia’s dense rainforests increases the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Fauna & Flora International has been working tirelessly in West Kalimantan, the Indonesian side of Borneo, to protect the orang-utan and save hundreds of thousands of hectares of rainforest. To accomplish this, we have: • Worked with logging companies to develop more sustainable means of managing rainforest timber. The companies are being taken through FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification and zoning is being put in place to include areas of zero-logging and reduced impact. • Engaged with the Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil to help them identify critical habitat for orang- utans and better manage and protect forests in their estates. • Worked with indigenous communities to develop special patrol wardens in and around two key habitats (Danau Sentarum and Gunung Palung National Parks) for orang-utan protection and monitoring. The wardens have successfully confiscated orang-utans and illegally logged timber. • Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the district nature conservation department and other agencies to improve law enforcement related to orang-utan poaching and illegal wildlife trade throughout the Ketapang District in Borneo. • Issued green grants through our local partner organisations in Borneo to help communities protect their forests. Some communities use these funds to plant sandalwood trees. Oil from the trees is harvested sustainably, providing income for the villagers and habitat for wildlife. • Organised community events alongside our partner organisations in Indonesia to raise the environmental consciousness of rural and urban people in Borneo. As a result of these efforts, forest crimes such as illegal poaching, logging and farming have now fallen by 90% in one of Borneo’s most important orang-utan areas. We believe we are successful because we work with people, not against them. We help local residents and corporations accomplish their goals in ways that are less harmful to the environment. This has always been a hallmark of Fauna & Flora International. Please help us continue our important work in Borneo and other places around the world where species are struggling. There is so much more to do. Please support Fauna & Flora International today and be part of our crucial work to save endangered landscapes and species across the globe.

    Solution

    100%
    Categories

  • Animals Animals
  • Environment/Conservation Environment/​Conservation
  • Beneficiaries

    • Children (3-18) Children (3-18)
    • Older People Older People
    • Women & Girls Women & Girls
    • Young People (18-30) Young People (18-30)
    • Other Other