International Orangutan Day
International Orangutan Day is celebrated every year on August 19th. The event aims to inspire people to take action to protect these amazing animals in the wild.
There are only approximately 50,000 to 65,000 orangutans left in the wild, with approximately 2,000 to 3,000 orangutans being killed annually.[1] Along with this, orangutans have lost over 80% of their natural habitat over the last 20 years, with an estimated one-third of the wild population dying during the fires of 1997-98.[1]
Some of the ways you can help orangutans on this day are:
- Spread awareness about orangutan conservation by sharing facts, stories, and pictures of orangutans on social media using the hashtag #International OrangutanDay.
- Learn more about the threats to orangutans and their habitat.
- Avoid products that contain palm oil.