The Orangutan Conservancy

08/20/2026

Today is International Orangutan Day.

All three species are critically endangered. All three live almost entirely in the canopy.

August 19 also falls in the dry season across their habitat, right as drained peatland starts to burn. Peat fires don’t behave like forest fires. They creep underground and smoulder for weeks, and the smoke rises into the one layer of forest an orangutan can’t leave.
So we spend the day on the season around it. Our partners are out running patrols, positioning pumps, blocking drainage canals, training local crews.

08/14/2026

Seven years after being returned to the forests of northern Sumatra from a rehabilitation facility, a female orangutan rescued from traffickers has been found nurturing a baby in the wild, giving new encouragement that reintroduced apes can establish breeding populations. “From victim of illegal w...

05/15/2026

Orangutans can only be found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, and The Orangutan Conservancy is dedicated to protecting these endangered apes throughout their range.

Through research, education, and partnerships, The Orangutan Conservancy supports the long-term survival of orangutans and protection of their forest habitats. The organization also hosts the annual Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Group (OVAG) Workshop, which provides a rare opportunity for veterinary teams on the front line of orangutan conservation to hone skills, share data, and discuss emerging issues and ideas.

Learn more: https://orangutan.com/project/

05/15/2026

Today is , and the numbers tell a stark story.

Orangutans have lost over 80% of their habitat in just two decades. But here's what else the numbers say: conservation works. 🌿

05/11/2026

Every summer in Borneo and Sumatra, dry season means fire season. For wild orangutans, that's the most dangerous time of year.

The Orangutan Conservancy has launched our 2026 Emergency Firefighting Fund to put community fire teams on the front lines before conditions become catastrophic. Our goal: $50,000 in annual reoccurring donations to pay wages, supply gear, and keep patrols running through peak fire season.

These aren't contractors. They're local community members who know these forests, and who risk their health every day to protect them.

Help us get there: https://orangutan.com/the-2026-fire-crisis-a-race-against-time-for-indonesias-orangutans/

Even a small gift makes a real difference when it's deployed on the ground.

📷: Bernat Ripoll Capilla/Borneo Nature Foundation

04/04/2026

Turns out, in Santa Clarita of all places, there's one of the largest populations of these long-armed primates in the United States.

Less than 10 miles off the 14 Freeway, down a bumpy dirt road, the Gibbon Conservation Center takes up about 5 acres of land speckled with trees.

✍️ Robert Garrova
📸 Robert Garrova / LAist

03/25/2026

03/03/2026

March 3rd is World Wildlife Day! On this day we aim to raise awareness about the importance of conserving animals and their habitats. For OC, that means standing up for orangutans and the future of their rainforest homes.

We recognize the vital role wildlife plays in healthy ecosystems. Protecting orangutans means protecting biodiversity, forests, and the balance of our planet.

12/02/2025

Your contribution goes twice as far this year! This Giving Tuesday, every donation received is matched up to $4,000 USD thanks to a generous donor to support orangutan conservation!

You can donate at: https://orangutan.com/how-to-help/