Today there are only around 52,000 orangutans remaining in the wild, comprised of around 45,000 Bornean orangutans and just 7,000 Sumatran orangutans. Populations have been decimated by logging, mining and illegal hunting, with current numbers now at less than 20% of what they were mid-way through the 20th century. Some researchers have even suggested that orangutans could die out altogether in the wild by 2012 unless urgent action is taken.
As a result, a new website aimed at helping orangutans has been launched – http://www.adoptanorangutan.org.uk
The website aims to raise awareness of the plight that the orangutan species faces. An orangutan factsheet is featured, including information such as where orangutans live, how endangered they are, and what are the reasons for their population decline.
The site also features information about their current conservation status, research into orangutans and why they’re such a unique animal, along with a feature on WWF, the organisation which does so much work towards helping to protect orangutans and the earth’s other animals. The orangutan fact sheet can be seen below:
http://www.adoptanorangutan.org.uk/
Alongside this information is the ability to purchase an orangutan adoption gift pack. This can be purchased for as little as £3 per month and has become an incredibly popular gift. The gift pack includes an orangutan soft toy, a fact book, orangutan print for your wall, and a greetings card if it’s being given as a gift.
All the money raised goes directly towards helping to protect orangutans. Just £10 pays for three new trees to be planted, contributing towards restoring orangutan habitat, the decline of which is the major reason for the endangered status of orangutans.
