Save the Orangutan

Save the Orangutan Save the Orangutan helps Borneo's critically endangered orangutan and the rainforest.

Sura’s coping mechanism 💚Studies have shown that orangutans that are separated from their mothers too early often grow u...
14/06/2026

Sura’s coping mechanism 💚

Studies have shown that orangutans that are separated from their mothers too early often grow up to be less social, less dominant, and more vulnerable to stress. Some may also develop unusual coping behaviours, which we often see during rehabilitation. Male orangutan Sura displays clear signs of this.

Sura was found in a logging area and was held by a local resident before he was eventually handed over to rehabilitation. Many years have passed since then, but he still exhibits one unusual behaviour.

When humans call for him, Sura often covers his face, appearing to avoid eye contact. This may reflect increased alertness or a survival strategy formed during distress at a young age. His body may have healed, but the memories remain.

Mema hugs herself to regulate emotional discomfort 🥹In primates, self-directed behaviours like hugging are displacement ...
11/06/2026

Mema hugs herself to regulate emotional discomfort 🥹

In primates, self-directed behaviours like hugging are displacement activities linked to anxiety and stress regulation.

10 years ago, Mema, also known as Hope, was confiscated from a villager who claimed to have found her in a burned peat area. There were indications she had been taken violently from her mother. To this day, she often wraps her arms tightly around herself during moments of uncertainty.

This behaviour helps restore a sense of calm during unpredictable situations – a coping mechanism frequently seen in orangutans who have been separated from their mothers during crucial stages of development and dependence on comfort and protection.

When we talk about mental health, we usually think about humans – in trauma, grief, depression or healing. But orangutan...
09/06/2026

When we talk about mental health, we usually think about humans – in trauma, grief, depression or healing. But orangutans can experience these things too.

Orangutan infants at the rehabilitation centres have lost their mothers at a critical age, and it leaves emotional scars.

At the centres, caretakers step in to recreate aspects of the maternal role to help re-establish a sense of safety for young orangutans.

Emotional recovery directly supports behavioural development, preparing rehabilitant orangutans both psychologically and physically for eventual release.

Their mental scars may be invisible, but they are real🧡

Read more: https://savetheorangutan.org/2026/06/09/orangutans-need-mental-healing-too/

Happy World Environment Day🌿Our world's environment and biodiversity are under enormous pressure. That's why this day is...
05/06/2026

Happy World Environment Day🌿

Our world's environment and biodiversity are under enormous pressure. That's why this day is so incredibly important. It gives us an opportunity to be reminded of the value of nature.

When nature is destroyed, thousands of species lose their habitats, people lose their livelihoods and climate change worsens. That's why it's important to make a difference for nature worldwide and at all levels. Both at home in the household and with politicians.

At Save the Orangutan, we work every day to make a difference through projects that protect and restore the rainforest. Let's take care of our planet together🌏

https://savetheorangutan.org/programs/rainforest-protection/

04/06/2026

Baimah is a playful orangutan🧡

In the forest school, she learns about the skills needed to survive in the rainforest. Through this swinging game between the tree branches, she learns about her own body weight and which branches she can trust.

One day she will get to test these skills in the wild, but until then she needs support. You can follow Baimah on her journey back to the rainforest and contribute to her rehabilitation by adopting her through our Danish and Swedish adoption programmes.

Get to know Baimah and adopt her here:
https://redorangutangen.dk/adopter-en-orangutang/baimah/
https://savetheorangutan.se/baimah/

Look at the glow up!🌟For many rescued orangutans, it can take months or even years to recover from their past.When they ...
02/06/2026

Look at the glow up!🌟

For many rescued orangutans, it can take months or even years to recover from their past.

When they first arrive at rehabilitation centres, their condition often reflects a long time away from their natural rainforest habitat. But with rehabilitation, consistent care and patience, the healing begins to show.

Looking at these photos, which moment touches you more – the rescue moment or the progress after?

26/05/2026

Many of the orangutans at the rehabilitation centers have experienced loss.

These infants have lost their mothers and the security they experienced in their rainforest homes. Some have been kept as pets, smuggled or have had other traumatising experiences. This takes its toll on the soul and affects the orangutans' mental state.

Rehabilitation is therefore not only about supporting the orangutans in their development, but also about giving them the space, care and stability they need so that they can feel safe again.

For the next month, we will focus every week on the mental health of orangutans, how their challenges are expressed, and how they are helped.

Follow along for more🧡

Major forest fires expected to hit Borneo this year 🔥An unusually strong version of the climate phenomenon El Niño is o...
24/05/2026

Major forest fires expected to hit Borneo this year 🔥

An unusually strong version of the climate phenomenon El Niño is on the horizon, and experts predict that the Borneo rainforest will be hit by forest fires this year.

This could have major consequences for both people and animals: orangutan habitats could be cleared and deadly smoke can cause respiratory diseases.

That is why we and our Indonesian partners are monitoring the situation extremely closely. Firefighters are patrolling more often, being trained and given new equipment. We are doing everything we can to be prepared so that the consequences are reduced.

Read more here: https://savetheorangutan.org/2026/05/21/el-nino-smolders-fire-threatens-orangutan-forests/

Photo from Borneo 2016, post-super El Niño.

22/05/2026

Day One vs One Day.
In 2000, the area around Samboja Lestari rehabilitation centre was nothing more than vast stretches of grassland.
Today, the same landscape has grown into a thriving secondary forest, once again filled with wildlife and diverse plant life.
This proves that restoring the forest really does make a difference.
We have the power to transform and make our planet better. Worth remembering today on International Day for Biological Diversity.

Help us plant new trees: https://savetheorangutan.org.uk/save-the-rainforest-of-borneo/

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