International Orangutan Day 2025
International Orangutan Day 2025

International Orangutan Day 2025

Family Volunteering in Borneo

Family Volunteering in Borneo

6 Nights from $1,182.00

Travel with your family to Borneo, and see how you can aid orangutan conservation whilst meeting indigenous tribes-people on this exciting wildlife safari!

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Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary

12 - 26 Nights from $1,614.00

Help to rehabilitate the largest number of rescued orangutans in the world by volunteering at this orangutan sanctuary – made famous by the TV show Orangutan Jungle School!

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Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project

Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project

12 - 26 Nights from $2,019.00

Work on enrichment for 112 orangutans and 72 sun bears at the world-renowned Samboja Lestari Rescue Centre

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The Great Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Project

The Great Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Project

11 Nights from $1,951.00

Help to restore Borneo’s rainforest and provide a safe home for wild orangutans and pygmy elephants.

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The Great Orangutan Project

The Great Orangutan Project

7 - 28 Nights from $1,074.00

Volunteer with orangutans on this award-winning orangutan project at Matang Wildlife Centre in beautiful Borneo!

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Samboja Lestari Volunteer Project Review: Our Father-Daughter Orangutan Adventure

Samboja Lestari Volunteer Project Review: Our Father-Daughter Orangutan Adventure

Discover how a dad and his teenage daughter connected while volunteering with orangutans in Borneo. Read their inspiring journey at Samboja Lestari!

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Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project Rescues Two Baby Orangutans

Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project Rescues Two Baby Orangutans

Borneo’s wildlife heroes step in to save baby orangutans Esa and Indri, tiny survivors of captivity now beginning their healing journey at Samboja Lestari. 

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Watch Six Orangutans Take Their First Steps of Freedom

Watch Six Orangutans Take Their First Steps of Freedom

After more than 20 hours of travelling by land and water, six orangutans were released into their new wild home, fittingly on Earth Day! Watch Sie-Sie, Mikhayla, Bugis, Uli, Siti, and Mori step into freedom in today's blog. 

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Posted by Georgia Wilson on 7th Aug 2025 6 mins

What is International Orangutan Day?

International Orangutan Day, celebrated on August 19th every year, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about critically endangered orangutans, the threats they face, and how we can help. In 2025, the message is louder than ever: save the orangutans, save the rainforest, save the planet.

 

Why does International Orangutan Day matter?

In short, International Orangutan Day matters because orangutans matter.

Known as "gardeners of the forest", orangutans disperse seeds across large areas, prune trees, open up canopy gaps, and they are an "umbrella species," meaning conservation efforts aimed at them benefit a wide range of wildlife.

By now, most people are aware of the challenges orangutans face, but this awareness day is a chance to bring these issues to the forefront of our minds again and to remind ourselves that we all have a part to play in helping protect them.

International Orangutan Day is important as it brings people together to learn, raise awareness, celebrate and take action!

International Orangutan Day 2025 Infographic

Download and share our infographic: International Orangutan Day 2025 Infographic

 

Threats facing orangutans in the wild

Sadly, all three species of orangutans are listed on the IUCN Red List as critically endangered. Current estimates show fewer than 119,500 orangutans remain in the wild:

  • Bornean orangutan: ~104,700
  • Sumatran orangutan: ~13,846
  • Tapanuli orangutan: ~800

Some of the most urgent threats include:

Habitat loss: The main driver of the rapid decline of all three orangutan species is habitat loss. Palm oil plantations are the leading cause of rainforest destruction, along with logging, mining, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

Habitat Destruction

Human conflict: With their habitat fragmented and shrinking at a concerning rate, orangutans move closer to villages, where they're often killed as pests. Babies are usually captured for the illegal pet trade after the mother is killed.

Climate change: Adding to the pressure, climate change is altering forest habitats. Changing temperatures and rainfall patterns can lead to prolonged droughts, increasing the risk of forest fires or extreme flooding, which can cause soil erosion and damage to tree roots. 

Find out how you can help reduce these impacts below! 

 

Recent orangutan conservation success stories

While August 19th is a day to raise awareness of the very real threats listed above, International Orangutan Day is also a day to celebrate the amazing strides made in orangutan conservation. Here's what's hit the headlines recently:

A MAJOR WILDLIFE SMUGGLING BUST THANKS TO A BABY ORANGUTAN

Authorities in Thailand uncovered a smuggling ring in early 2025, all triggered by a truck hauling a baby orangutan. The young orangutan, found in poor condition, tipped off investigators to a broader criminal network operating in the Chumphon Province. A raid following this discovery led to the seizure of over 17 trafficked animals, including endangered gibbons, tamarins, and red pandas. All animals were confiscated and relocated to rescue centres. 

BOSF 2025 RESCUES, RELEASES & RESTORATIONS - SO FAR!

Baby Orangutan Rescued by Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation

In April, the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF) released six rehabilitated orangutans into East Kalimantan’s Kehje Sewen Forest, marking a major milestone as the animals took their first steps back into the wild. This year has also seen the rescue of three baby orangutans, including Esa and Indri, who arrived at the Samboja Lestari just last month. Meanwhile, on the habitat restoration front, BOSF and Land Life are on track to restore 270 hectares of degraded land by the end of August, building on the 90 hectares already recovered earlier this year through Assisted Natural Regeneration (ANR).

25 YEARS OF SUPPORT IN SABAH

Orangutan Appeal UK celebrated 25 years of impactful conservation work with the Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre in Sabah, Malaysia. Over the decades, the charity has contributed more than RM 14 million to fund veterinary care, infrastructure upgrades, research, and education. This milestone underscores the value of consistent international support in enabling long-term success for orangutan rescue and reintegration efforts.

 

How you can help orangutans in 2025

Not all hope is lost, and great strides have been made in orangutan conservation, but there’s always more we can do, whether it’s from home or out in the field!

1. CHOOSE CERTIFIED PRODUCTS - LOOK FOR THE LOGO

According to WWF, palm oil is found in around 50% of all packaged products in the UK, from food to cosmetics. While avoiding palm oil entirely can be challenging, you can still make a difference by choosing products that carry the RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) label. Look out for other sustainability labels too, like FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) when purchasing wood or paper products, and the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal on products such as chocolate, coffee and fruit. 

Logos of Sustainable Products - RSPO Palm Oil, FSC Wood and Paper, Rainforest Alliance Food

2. SUPPORT ORANGUTAN CHARITIES

Support trusted groups by donating, following their social media, engaging and sharing their content, and fundraising all go a long way to support the cause. NGOs like:

  • Orangutan Foundation International (OFI)
  • Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation (BOSF)
  • Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP)

3. SOURCE & SHARE INFORMATION

Take the time to learn more about orangutans and spread awareness. Why not share our infographic and keep orangutan conservation in conversation! #InternationalOrangutanDay

4. ADOPT AN ORANGUTAN

Symbolically adopting an orangutan helps fund medical care, rescue operations, and habitat restoration - these can make great gifts for the orangutan lovers in your life.

5. VOLUNTEER!

If you're looking to be more hands-on in your contribution, why not volunteer with orangutans? It’s holidaying with a difference, one that lets you support vital conservation work while experiencing the rainforest up close.

Volunteer at Samboja Lestari on a Boat Delivering Enrichment to Orangutans

In a sanctuary setting: On the Samboja Lestari Orangutan Volunteer Project and at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Sanctuary, volunteers help further the BOSF mission of rehabilitating and releasing as many rescued orangutans as possible. As a volunteer, you'll create engaging enrichment, build platforms, reforest degraded areas and experience life in Indonesian Borneo, making a tangible difference to orangutan conservation efforts. In Malaysian Borneo, you can help care for rescued orangutans, along with a myriad of fascinating forest animals, on The Great Orangutan Project. Here, you'll work to improve husbandry and enclosure standards, create meaningful enrichment, prepare food and explore your stunning forest surroundings.

Out in the field: Volunteer out in the forests of Sabah on The Great Orangutan and Pygmy Elephant Project, where you'll help reforest vital habitat zones like the renowned 'Corridor of Life'. You'll take part in wildlife observation and monitoring as you trek through the jungle in search of orangutans, pygmy elephants, and other incredible species. You'll also have the unique opportunity to spend time with the 'Orang Sungai', gaining insight into their culture and how they coexist with the surrounding wildlife. 

Not sure where to start? Check out our guide: Which Orangutan Project Is Right For Me?

 

Join the mission

International Orangutan Day with The Great Projects Graphic

International Orangutan Day 2025 is more than just a date on the calendar; it’s a wake-up call. Orangutans are teetering on the edge of extinction, and the choices we make today will decide their future. Whether it's choosing certified sustainable products, donating to trusted conservation organisations, adopting an orangutan, or volunteering on the ground, every action counts!

Don’t just scroll past another headline, because extinction is forever, but action is now.

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