7 ways you can help protect endangered orangutans

The Jungle Book’s King of the Swingers, Louie, might have sung about wanting to be more like you-ooo-ooh, but he really wasn’t that far off. Orangutans (a name which literally translates from Malay to, ‘Man of the Forest’) have more in common with us than you might think. In fact, these great apes share almost a whopping 97% of our genetic make-up.

There are two species of orangutan on our glorious planet; the Bornean and Sumatran orangutan. Both famous for their striking red fur, they spend much of their lives way up in the treetops; making nests and feasting on wild fruits.

But sadly, both species of orangutan are now classified as endangered. This means that our ginger cousins now face an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Why?

Two words: habitat loss.  Oh yes, deforestation has a heck of a lot to answer for, with much of the rainforest disappearing to make way for oil palm and other agricultural plantations.

And while much of the orangutans’ rainforest home in Borneo is technically protected by the Indonesian, Malaysian and Brunei governments, illegal logging and uncontrolled burning (as a result of the Palm Oil industry) still poses huge threats to their habitat.

According to the Orangutan Foundation, it has been warned that by  2080, if current trends continue, the Bornean orangutan will lose 70-80% of its forest habitat. And as these forests fall, so does the population of orangutans. Heartbreaking.

So, what can we do?

1. Shop smart – look for sustainable palm oil

Palm oil is in everything—from biscuits and shampoo to peanut butter. The problem? Unsustainable palm oil plantations are wiping out orangutan habitats. But not all palm oil is bad. Look for RSPO-certified (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) products or brands that use sustainable sources. Apps like Giki can help you check on the go. Here’s a handy guide to going Palm Oil free.

2. Eat less meat

Large-scale farming—especially for cattle grazing and soy production (most of which is used for animal feed, not tofu or soy milk!)—contributes to deforestation worldwide. Cutting down on meat, even a few days a week, helps reduce demand for land clearing and protects habitats.

3. Reduce, reuse, recycle!

Deforestation isn’t just about palm oil—it’s also driven by demand for paper, wood, and packaging. Cut back on waste by choosing recycled or FSC-certified paper and being mindful of what you throw away. Buy recycled products where possible, you’ll be doing your bit to conserve the world’s precious fuels and resources. Nice one.

4. Support a charitable organisation

There are plenty of amazing conservation organisations out there, whether it’s WWF, Orangutan Foundation or Sumatran Orangutan Society. If you’re truly passionate about protecting orangutans, there’s a lot you can do to show it! Give them a cheeky like on Facebook, make a small donation, buy a t-shirt for your brother on his birthday or even ‘adopt’ an orangutan at Christmas. A small gesture can go a long way, y’know!

5. Start a fundraiser!

Want to inspire change yourself? It’s a piece of cake… literally! The Rickshaw gang did just that. We decided to raise awareness of endangered orangutans for Orangutan Awareness Week by setting up a Just Giving page & raising dosh though a ginger-themed bake sale- with all money going to Orangutan Foundation.

Sound like a challenge? Whether you want to run a marathon (yeesh!), climb a volcano (yikes!) or get your bake on (yum!), simply get in touch with the lovely folks at Orangutan Foundation for your own fundraising kit!

6. Join a volunteer programme

If all the above just isn’t enough, and you fancy getting your hands dirty, there a plenty of amazing volunteer opportunities across Borneo and Sumatra- just make sure you do your research and opt for one that puts conservation before profit! And remember, any project worth its salt won’t allow direct contact with orangutans.

I was lucky enough to join a fantastic project in an area of restored rainforest in East Kalimantan, Borneo. It was blimmin’ hard work, but an amazing feeling to be part of a group of passionate folk, mucking in together to make the world a better place for great apes!

7. Tell your mates

We all love setting the world to rights down the pub with our mates. So why not chew the fat about something truly meaningful? It might sound trivial, but sharing those articles on Facebook, telling your friends and family about the threats faced by orangutans, and sharing these simple actions can make a real impact.

Power to the people!

Nip over to Borneo’s southern state, Sarawak, and not only will you be treated to Mangroves, Monkeys & Fireflies, but you can visit the Semenggoh Nature Reserve, home to Borneo’s most famous resident, the Orangutan! You can also take a wildlife cruise on the Santubong and spend the night in a tree house in the jungle- cool!

If you’re up for a walk on the wild side, our Swinging with the Apes experience will take you deep into the heart of Bukit Lawang, on a  mission to spot the Sumatran orangutan. You’ll head out to explore Gunung Leuser National Park where you’ll hike through the jungle, wobble across wooden bridges and end up in the perfect spot to see semi-wild orangutans.