World Wildlife Day 2021

Today is World Wildlife Day 2021, and this year’s theme is “Forests and Livelihoods: Sustaining People and Planet”. This theme has been chosen by the UN as a chance to highlight the vital role of forests and forest species (like orangutans) in sustaining the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people around the world – especially indigenous people or those who live locally to forests.

For the SOS team, it’s an especially significant theme as it also encourages the celebration of conservation models which consider humans and their wellbeing alongside the protection of forests and forest wildlife.

Led by our Conservation Director, Koen, we are currently working on our conservation strategy for 2021 onwards. While we have always championed projects which involve communities, the links between forests and people will be even more central to our new plans. Forest loss continues in some parts of Sumatra and is driven by factors including food insecurity, so we know that analysing this and working to improve it is vital if we are to ensure a long-term future for wild orangutans.