Reconnecting Orangutans and Their Rainforest Homes

For an orangutan, a road is not simply an inconvenience - it is a barrier that can cut them off from food, mates, and the vast expanse of forest they need to survive. In fragmented landscapes, isolation is one of the quietest threats to a species' long-term survival.

Thanks to your support, our partners are rebuilding those connections. Working in collaboration with TaHuKah and the PakPak Bharat Government, new canopy bridges have been installed across the West Toba and Batang Toru ecosystems, and the results have come quickly. Eight different species have now used these bridges a combined 145 times. Langurs and macaques were first to adopt them, followed by other arboreal species making confident use of the new routes.

Orangutans haven't crossed yet - but rangers have observed nests in the trees nearby. They are watching. In time, they will follow. We’ve already seen an orangutan exploring and interacting with the bridge, hopefully we’ll be able to share news of their first crossing soon.

This is especially significant in the Batang Toru ecosystem, the only place on Earth where the Tapanuli orangutan is found. With fewer than 800 individuals remaining, it is the most endangered great ape on the planet. Every connection we restore in this landscape is a step towards preventing extinction.

WATCH - Gibbons use the canopy bridge for the first time

Installing these bridges demands patience, technical skill, and sustained effort from our frontline teams. It also requires the specialist rope and climbing equipment that your donations fund directly.

Our aim is a connected forest - one where no orangutan is stranded in an ever-shrinking habitat too small to sustain them. With your continued help, we are steadily stitching together these fragmented forests, allowing wildlife to roam freely through the landscape.

None of this work would be possible without you, our dedicated and compassionate supporters. Together, we can make a difference for wild orangutans and the rainforests they call home.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us.