The first World Orangutan Day is happening on August 19, when an international group of animal rescue charities are asking people to get involved in the rescue and protection of this endangered species.
The Sumatran orangutan population declined by over 50% in the years from 1992 to 2000, and the Bornean orangutan population fell by nearly 43% in the decade from 1996 to 2006. Since those two research studies were completed deforestation rates have become higher, which means the actual rate of population decrease is likely to have become even worse.
The World Orangutan Day website has lots of ideas on how you can get involved in actions for the day, including:
- Signing one of their various petitions
- Telling your local store that you are concerned about the products they stock containing palm oil
- Take a photo of yourself holding a card that says "I LOVE Orangutans!" and post to their wall
- Share some of the orangutan digital postcards on their website
- Join their Facebook page to connect with fellow orangutan activists
- Make a donation to one of the orangutan charities involved
Want to donate or fundraise for a UK orangutan charity? Check out the following fabulous orangutan rescue charities on Charity Choice:
As always, remember we don't take any money out of your donation (note: the card processing fee is charged by your bank and Worldpay, and you can choose to pay this separately to your donation), so you can be sure 100% of what you give goes directly to your charity.
Please consider making a donation on August 19, and help the people working in these charities continue their great work in orangutan rescue and conservation. Ook!