International Orangutan Day: How Orangutans Keep Ecosystems Thriving

As we celebrate International Orangutan Day, it’s important to understand just how crucial these incredible beings are to the world’s rainforests—and how you can help ensure their future.

Orangutans are the “Gardeners of the Forest”

Orangutans are known as the “gardeners of the forest.” They spend most of their lives in the trees, swinging from branch to branch, and their diet consists mainly of fruit. As they move through the forest, they eat a variety of fruits and later disperse the seeds far and wide through their droppings. This natural process helps to maintain the diversity of the forest, as seeds are spread across large areas, giving rise to new plants and trees.

Orangutans are “Ecosystem Engineers”

Orangutans shape the rainforest in ways that benefit thousands of other species. A diverse forest is more resilient to changes and threats, such as disease, climate change, and natural disasters. With many plant species growing together, the loss of one does not lead to the collapse of the entire ecosystem. In this way, orangutans help maintain the delicate balance of life in the rainforest, supporting a web of interconnected species that rely on one another for survival.

Orangutans are a “Keystone Species”

The presence of orangutans is a sign of a healthy, functioning rainforest. They are a keystone species, meaning their presence has a disproportionate impact on the environment compared to other species. Healthy rainforests are crucial for the planet. They act as the Earth’s lungs, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They also regulate the global climate, support the water cycle, and provide a home to countless species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The health of these rainforests, and by extension our planet, is closely linked to the survival of orangutans.

How You Can Help

This International Orangutan Day, we are asking for your help to protect these magnificent creatures and their rainforest homes. Our goal is to raise £5,000, which could restore three hectares of degraded rainforest with native seedlings. By contributing to this effort, you can play a direct role in protecting wild orangutans and the health of their habitats.

Your donation could help plant trees, restore damaged areas of the forest, and support conservation projects that protect orangutans from threats such as logging and urban development. Every pound you give will go towards creating a safer, more vibrant environment where orangutans and other species can continue to thrive.

Donate today and stand with us in safeguarding the future of orangutans and their rainforest homes. 

Let’s work together to create a world where orangutans continue to inspire awe and wonder in the hearts of all who encounter them. This International Orangutan Day, your contribution can help ensure that wild orangutans remain a part of our world for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference.