Habitat loss is a massive threat to the future of the orangutan. Orangutans are often slaughtered as forest is cleared. Orangutan infants become orphans or victims of the illegal pet trade. The species has been pushed to the brink of extinction.
Meet Win Gayo, he's a Critically Endangered Sumatran orangutan that was rescued in North Sumatra, Indonesia. He is a victim of habitat loss - one of the most majestic wild animals that live in the the world's forest, reduced to living in a small cage. Captured when his habitat was razed to the ground, he was eventually rescued and brought to our partner’s rehabilitation centre.
Despite his size Win Gayo is a gentle giant. You can see him here sharing his food with Citrawan, an orphan infant, in the neighbouring cage at the care centre. Win Gayo is approximately 95kg (210lbs). Did you know that desipite being many times stronger than a human, with teeth the size of a tiger, there is no record of an orangutan ever killing a human?
Win Gayo was rescued and has been cared for at our care centre. Win Gayo is magnificent. He’s powerful, virile and super smart. When Win Gayo was first released into the forest he returned to the care centre and entered the food storage building. Not only did he unlock the door to get in, he locked it behind him to keep the staff out so he could enjoy the smorgasboard of fruits and vegetables! His story would be funny if it weren't so tragic. Because Win Gayo should be wild. He should be freely covering vast tracts of jungle every day, building strong, nightly nests and siring the robust, healthy generation of orangutans we now so desperately need.
Thanks to our Supporters, Win Gayo is now free, where he belongs. But tragically there are many more displaced and captive orangutans waiting for your help.
Join our existing donors and make a real difference. Most of our work is made possible by our individual donors who make a small monthly contribution. We have a strategy to ensure orphans and displaced orangutans are returned to the wild where they belong. We have a plan to ensure the survival of the orangutan in the wild in protected, patrolled forests. We need your help to enable us to put our plan in action.
Summary of Achievements in 2019/20
Saving the orangutan also saves Critically Endangered Sumatran tigers, Critically Endangered Sumatran elephants and many other endangered species. It also saves the forest and supports local and indigenous communities.
Saving the orangutan also saves Critically Endangered Sumatran tigers, Critically Endangered Sumatran elephants and many other endangered species. It also saves the forest and supports local and indigenous communities.
By undertaking this multi-faceted approach to conservation, we aim to increase the number of wild orangutans under The Orangutan Project’s permanent protection to 8,000, to ensure sufficient numbers of each orangutan species survive indefinitely.
Orangutan conservation is a complex issue that requires support and funding in multiple areas to be successful. The type and level of each strategy is determined by the needs of the particular ecosystem. The Orangutan Project recognises and understands that orangutan conservation must be supported at the grassroots level and involve local communities. We support a wide range of critical projects that address the holistic problem facing remaining fragmented orangutan populations - including fighting deforestation and habitat loss at the highest level. As a highly trusted organisation, The Orangutan Project partners with many orangutan conservation projects operating on the ground in Borneo and Sumatra.
The vision of The Orangutan Project is that: All orangutans will live in their natural habitat in secure and viable populations.
The mission of The Orangutan Project is: To ensure the survival of all orangutan species in their natural habitat and promote the welfare of all orangutans.
