Babies and young orangutans are are targeted by poachers.  They are highly sought after commodities for the exotic “pet trade “or for “edutainment”, due to their vulnerability and ability to be easily trained.  To capture the young apes, mother orangutans are killed by the poachers.

     
    Orangutan exploited for “edutainment”           For commercial gain in illegal wildlife trade

Mother orangutans are very protective of their offspring and will protect their young against any threat until their death.  In the wild, young orangutans stay with their mother until the age of about 6 years old, learning the skills of survival.   The large number of baby orangutans poached for the illegal pet trade each year means that many adults are killed in the process.  However, the death rate of the baby orangutans captured for the illegal wildlife trade is also high, from causes such as tranquilizer overdoses, malnourished, illness, trauma or bad handling. 

Orangutans are peaceful and intelligent animals; they are not suitable as pets.  Orangutans should live in the forest like they have always been thousands years ago.  Sadly the forest is no longer safe for them.  Human encroachment to exploit the forest for economic development has robbed orangutans of their home and lives. 

Today orangutans are threatened with extinction if nothing is done to stop the decimation of the forest and the illegal wildlife trade.  Many of the habitat forests have disappeared to make way for palm oil plantations or for hardwood logging.  Please ensure that the products you buy or consume do not directly or indirectly contribute to forest destruction which harm the orangutans. You can help wild animals by simply changing your shopping habit.

Three young orangutans, Unyil, Jackson and Bonny are now being given shelter at our rescue centre.  Having witnessed their mothers' tragic death in the hands of the poachers, they have now ended up in captivity.  Please help provide for their food, veterinary care and upkeep.  These orangutans will be rehabilitated and sent back to Borneo for eventual release into the wild when the situation permits.

By sponsoring or adopting these orangutans you will help to provide their current needs.  Please help them from as little as £8 a  month, or whatever amount you can afford. 

They now need your help, click here to donate >>>