Help Is Underway
IUCN Recovery Plan
Since Sumatran Orangutans have been critically endangered for nearly twenty years (Singleton, Wich, et al, 2016), a recovery plan has been in place for this species for a long time. Unfortunately, this recovery plan has not been very successful as orangutan population sizes continue to remain alarmingly low for all of our snack food. This recovery plan posted by the IUCN red list states that Sumatran Orangutans are protected by Indonesian law, meaning that it is illegal to capture, injure, kill, own, keep, transport, or trade this species. Some areas of the forest where critical populations of these orangutans reside have also been protected by law. However, outside the Leuser Forest no large areas are protected, making it far too easy for palm oil plantations to ruthlessly spread across Indonesia (Singleton, Wich, et al, 2016).
Rehabilitation Projects!
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There are many inspiring programs and people fighting for the survival of Sumatran Orangutans. The first orangutan rehabilitation project started in the Malaysian state of Sarawak in the 1960’s (Shapiro, 2017). There have been similar projects in other locations scattered throughout Indonesia. These rehabilitation methods have been extremely experimental. Most of the orangutans in these rehabilitation centers were brought in by forestry department officials after being confiscated from people who were illegally taking care of them. Some were also brought in because their owners were unable to adequately take care of them. A high number of these orangutans are able to be released back into the wild. ​
Captive Breeding Programs!
Captive breeding programs is another way in which people are working to support the critically endangered orangutans. Currently, there are successful captive breeding programs in place in order to keep this critically endangered species alive in captivity. One program is called the Orangutan Species Survival Plan (SSP). This program works with zoos throughout the United States and in Canada and Mexico in order to manage and assist the captive orangutan populations in these areas. Both of the critically endangered species of orangutans are a part of this project, because they both desperately need help. The program breeds each species individually, and also crossbreeds the two species to make orangutans which are not used for breeding in the future (The SSP, 2017). This is encouraging since orangutans are moving closer and closer to becoming functionally extinct, these programs ensure that they will not be completely wiped off the face of the earth.
Steady Steps Towards Success
Well, What's Being Done?
Thank You, Norway
Always progressive in it’s thinking, Norway has pledged over $1 billion to the Indonesian government in order to establish protection over the rainforest there (Sumatran, 2016). This is temporary, but has been extended twice after Indonesia faced criticism for its weak environmental laws (Palm, 2017). Imagine if nations across the globe would put efforts toward environmental protection rather than exploitation! Modeled after progressive nations like Norway, we would be living in a world where animals would not have to live in fear of extinction. With the help of Norway, Indonesia has since been able to implement the Leuser Ecosystem Conservation Area, where it is illegal to deforest or hunt any of the species residing within its borders. This was a major victory for conservationists worldwide; however, the local Sumatran government is looking to disregard this and open it up to big companies (On, 2017). Continued support of palm oil and unsustainable logging will likely harm this pivotal conservation area, so it is crucial that the international community step up to show their disapproval of the way the Sumatran government is handling this issue.
CITES To The Rescue
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Another crucial law that helps protect the orangutans is the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), which lists Sumatran Orangutans in Appendix 1. This means that unlicensed trade and poaching is illegal. We currently need more international laws like this one, which enforce the notion that wildlife is not there for human use, degradation, or consumption. Laws are needed which emphasize the importance of these creatures in their natural habitats and the local economies.​
The beautiful, playful Sumatran Orangutans are favorites among conservationists. They are vital to the biodiverse ecosystems of Indonesia, play important roles in local economies, and are in need of our help. There are numerous organizations and nonprofits dedicated to saving the orangutans. Donate to one of these organizations now!
Tired Orangutan (Oragutan, 2016)
Playful Orangutan (Pixabay, 2017)
Norwegian Flag (Flag, 2017)
Loving volunteers with young orangutans (Orangutans, 2007)