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At the turn of the last century around 315,000 orangutans existed in the wild. In the 15 years since 1987, orangutan numbers have declined by more than half from 45,000 – 60,000 to between 15,000-24,000. It is estimated that 80% of all orangutan habitat has been destroyed through both legal and illegal logging. Many projects are working to save orangutans. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association's Species Survival Plans are special programs designed by a team of zoo and wildlife professionals to help orangutans, and many other endangered species. The SSP outline breeding plans, work to increase public awareness and education, help conduct research, and in some cases, organize programs to reintroduce captive-bred wildlife into secure habitats. There are a handful of rehabilitation sites, such as Tanjung Puting National Park, in Borneo. They help return orangutans to the wild after confiscation from smugglers or private owners. National parks and reserves on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo work to save orangutans and many other species. Field studies, such as the work conducted by Birute Galdikas in Borneo, help to increase knowledge about these creatures and help insure their survival. Oraganization and individuals occasionally give donations. In Des Moines, Iowa, on August 21, 2006, Great Ape Trust announced that the Des Moines-based scientific research facility will provide $22,000 dollars for conservation efforts of orangutans in Indonesia and bonobos in Africa. |
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A major organization that is a major supporter and volunteer of orangutan conservation efforts is the Orangutan Foundation International (ORCP). The ORCP has enabled Dr. Galdikas, a very serious conservationist, to collect over 150,000 hours of obervations of wild orangutans documenting their life histories over three generations. Dozens of new insights into orangutan behavior, ecology and intelligence has emerged from work conducted by the ORCP. The ORCP has served as a base of support to Indonesian and foreign students who conduct field research on orangutans, gibbons, monkeys, and other animals and phenomena. Dr. Galdikas and her staff would assist the local forestry department by confiscating orangutans from government officials who kept them as pets. Using diplomacy and reason, she was able to convince officials and others to release the orangutan to |
| her care so they could be returned to the wild. Since 1971, over 200 orangutans have undergone rehabilitation. With the permission of the Indonesian authorities, the ORCP conducted patrols of the Park and assisted the nature conservation authorities in protecting the Park from poachers and illegal loggers. Now the Forestry Department has upgraded the Indonesian Nature Conservation Agency whose job it is to protect the Park. Even though many national parks have been raped of its trees, causing much life to cease, aside from orangutans, there are still hope. Even if the last orangutan does die, conservation will continue in hopes of saving the forest so other endagered animals may survive. To see other organizations click here. |