By Vicki Elcoate | Acting Director, SOS
Every Sumatran orangutan counts when the population is dwindling and habitat is fast disappearing. Our expert team in Sumatra has rescued and relocated 47 orangutans since it was set up in 2010.
The most recent rescue in mid June was of a 12 year old female, which had become stranded in a rubber plantation in Aceh Tamiang without enough to eat. The area had been severed from the rainforest so she was not able to return on her own, and there was a risk of conflict with local human populations. Our Human Orangutan Conflict Response Unit moved in quickly, sedated the orangutan and carried out a health check. Once satisfied she was fit enough, they returned her to the rainforest.
If an orangutan isn't able to be returned to the wild directly they will be taken to the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program, where they are cared for until they are able to be relocated. This includes many babies whose mothers have been killed. Wild born orphans which have been through the rehab system now form a significant part of the wild orangutan population in both Sumatra and Borneo.
Forest loss is the biggest cause of orangutans being displaced and the rate of loss is not expected to decrease in the near future. SOS is determined to fight for every orangutan's right to live in the wild.
Please support SOS on Global Giving's bonus day - July 16th. Your donation will be matched up to 40%. Matching begins at 9am EDT and ends at 11.59 EDT so if you can give between those times it will be a HUGE help. Thank you.
By L Chua | Intern
By Helen Buckland | Director
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