International Orangutan Day

Categories:: Animal
Tags:: Awareness Conservation Wildlife
Where:: International
Date change rule:: Every August 19
Holiday emoji:: 🦧

International Orangutan Day on August 19 galvanizes global support for these incredible ‘forest people.’ Learn about their critical role in rainforest ecosystems and the urgent need for conservation. Take action by supporting sustainable practices, donating to reputable organizations, and spreading awareness to protect their endangered habitats.

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History
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FAQs
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Expected International Orangutan Day Deals

International Orangutan Day focuses on vital fundraising and awareness campaigns rather than commercial deals. Leading conservation organizations like the Orangutan Foundation International and the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation will launch donation drives, foster parent programs, and educational initiatives. Corporate partners, often in sustainable palm oil or eco-friendly products, may offer donation matches or special product lines with proceeds benefiting orangutan protection. Look for opportunities to support brands committed to deforestation-free supply chains, like Lush or Patagonia, who often highlight their ethical sourcing. We will update this page with confirmed live campaigns and ways to contribute as August 19 approaches.

Platform Guide for International Orangutan Day

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #InternationalOrangutanDay. Share captivating photos or videos highlighting orangutan intelligence and their natural habitats.

X/Twitter

Mention @NatlToday and use #InternationalOrangutanDay. Post facts about orangutan conservation and retweet news from leading wildlife organizations.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #InternationalOrangutanDay. Share educational resources and participate in discussions about protecting these primates.

International Orangutan Day Hero

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas

Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas is a renowned primatologist, conservationist, and ethnographer. She is a leading authority on orangutans, having studied them in their natural habitat in Borneo for over 50 years. Her pioneering research and tireless advocacy have been instrumental in raising global awareness for orangutan conservation. She founded the Orangutan Foundation International in 1986 to further her work in protecting these endangered primates.

History of International Orangutan Day

The exact year that International Orangutan Day was established is uncertain. The day is marked, however, to save species that are on the edge of extinction. The goal of International Orangutan Day is to raise awareness about the predicament of this species, which has progressed from endangered to critically endangered. Orangutans have been around for generations and are thought to be the ancestors of gorillas. They are large apes who spend the majority of their time in trees and are only found in the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra, and the two species that live there were formerly thought to be the same.

Further research has shown that they are two distinct species that separated some 400,000 years ago. Orangutans have enormous arm lengths that reach about seven feet from tip to tip, which is impressive given that they only stand around five feet above the ground. When orangutans stand up straight, their hands are almost touching the ground. Their long arms compliment their arboreal lifestyle, letting them move from tree to tree and construct shelters from the canopy’s massive leaves. Because orangutans spend 90 % of their time in the treetops looking for food, deforestation is highly damaging to them. Orangutans are mostly herbivores, but omnivore orangutans will eat bark, insects, and even meat if it is available.

The tropical rainforest had been destroyed due to the farms’ improper management. Furthermore, the farmers consider the orangutans to be a nuisance and either kill them or burn the forest down. There have only been 20,000 survivors since 2006, but there should be more now. As a result, deforestation is the fundamental cause of such a tiny number of orangutans’ survival, and if it continues, the big apes will become extinct sooner. Raising awareness by commemorating International Orangutan Day can assist to increase the possibilities of this endangered species being rescued.

Unfortunately, humans are the greatest threat to the survival of orangutans. Deforestation, for example, encroaches on their habitat. In addition, illicit hunting claims the lives of 3,000 orangutans each year. Some wildlife specialists believe the orangutan will become extinct in the wild over the next 50 years. Though, several organizations are working to conserve orangutans. The Centre for Orangutan Protection, the Sumatran Orangutan Society, The Orangutan Project, Orangutan Outreach, and Humane Society are a few of these organizations.

International Orangutan Day timeline

1631

The Name in Print

The name for apes is first printed in Dutch by physician Jacobus Bontius in his book “Historiae naturalis et medicae Indiae Orientalis.”

1758

The First Scientific Description

In Carl Linnaeus' “Systema Naturae,” the orangutan is first scientifically described as Homo Sylvestris.

1986

The Orangutan Foundation International Founded

A non-profit committed to the conservation of wild orangutans and their rainforest habitat is founded.

1996

Two Species are Recognized

Based on the genetic study, Pongo abelii (representing the Sumatran lineage) and Pongo pygmaeus (representing the Bornean lineage) are identified.

How Businesses Can Celebrate International Orangutan Day

Local businesses can honor International Orangutan Day by raising awareness and supporting conservation. Restaurants and cafes can highlight palm oil-free menu items or promote sustainable sourcing. Retailers might feature products from brands committed to deforestation-free supply chains or donate a portion of sales to orangutan charities. Educational institutions and nature centers can host talks or exhibits about orangutan biology and habitat protection.

International Orangutan Day FAQs

When is International Orangutan Day?

International Orangutan Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, August 19, marking a crucial moment to reflect on the plight of these intelligent primates.

How many orangutans are left in the wild?

The populations of orangutans have drastically declined, with estimates suggesting fewer than 120,000 Bornean, 14,000 Sumatran, and 800 Tapanuli orangutans remaining in the wild as of recent surveys.

What are the main threats to orangutans?

The primary threats to orangutans include habitat loss due to deforestation for palm oil plantations, logging, mining, and human encroachment. Poaching and the illegal pet trade also pose significant dangers.

What does 'orangutan' mean?

The term ‘orangutan’ originates from the Malay words ‘orang hutan,’ which literally translates to ‘person of the forest,’ reflecting their human-like intelligence and arboreal lifestyle.

How to Observe International Orangutan Day

Gather more information about orangutans
You can mark International Orangutan Day by learning everything there is to know about orangutans, including their habitat, behavior, lifespan, and more. You can also go to your local zoo to see and observe orangutans.
Donate to an orangutan rescue organization
If you care about orangutans, you'll want to do everything you can to ensure their survival. A simple donation can go a long way toward making this possible. You can help keep orangutans alive and out of extinction by generously supporting an orangutan rescue organization.
Create awareness online
Share your ideas and the information you've gathered with your loved ones. You can even initiate online petitions in order to help protect them. The most important thing any of us can do is raise public awareness about deforestation's risks.

5 Facts About Orangutans That Will Blow Your Mind

They were first seen in Indonesia
A hairy, crimson ape swaying from branch to branch in the beautiful green Indonesian forests was seen by the natives of Borneo and Sumatra.
Humans of the forest
We share 97% of our D.N.A. with orangutans, making them one of humanity's closest relatives.
They have a long life span
These intriguing apes have relatively long lives — they can live for 50 to 60 years in captivity and 30 to 40 years in the wild.
Their solitary behavior
Unlike other big apes such as chimps, gorillas, and bonobos, orangutans do not prefer to live in groups — a female will typically have a baby (or two), whereas males prefer to be alone.
They have a huge arm span
A male can reach seven feet from fingertip to fingertip with his arms.

Why International Orangutan Day is Important

They are interesting
Orangutans exhibit some astonishing behaviors, and discoveries are being found all the time. We can learn about their natural behavior in the wild, which will eventually lead to the adoption of conservation policies targeted at conserving orangutans and allowing them to remain happily in their natural habitat.
They are so similar to humans
Orangutans, like us, are apes. Although they are the Great Apes' closest distant relatives, there are just roughly 14 million years between us. This is a split second in evolutionary terms. When you gaze into the eyes of an orangutan, it might be even more difficult to pinpoint what it is that divides them from humans.
They are endangered
The International Union for Conservation of Nature classed orangutans as critically endangered in 2016. They are more vulnerable than ever before and rely on us to care about their safety.