August 19
International Orangutan Day
International Orangutan Day was set for August 19 to honor the most famous victim of the palm oil industry. This event is to help encourage the public to take action to protect this amazing species.
Due to the loss of natural habitat caused by deforestation and palm oil plantations in Southeast Asia, orangutans are now one of the most endangered animals in the world. The International Day of the Orangutan aims to raise awareness about the challenges orangutans face in the wild. Orangutans are only found in the forests of Borneo and Sumatra, and all three species (Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli) are critically endangered. The Tapanuli orangutans are the most endangered, with less than 800 individuals remaining. Deforestation is the main threat to orangutans, as they spend most of their time in trees and cannot survive without forests. The biggest threat to their survival is human activities, including deforestation, illegal hunting, and wildlife trafficking. Organizations like Orangutan Outreach work tirelessly to help orangutans and collaborate with other organizations in Indonesia, such as the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme, International Animal Rescue Indonesia, Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation, and Borneo Nature Foundation. To celebrate the International Day of the Orangutan, people can learn more about orangutans, contribute to their conservation efforts through donations, adopt an orangutan online, and raise awareness online by sharing information and ideas with friends and family. Orangutans need our help, and it is important to spread awareness about the issues they face due to deforestation.