The Problem
In the wild, infant orangutans stay with their mothers for 7-9 years, learning the essential skills they need to survive. Sadly, many orangutans rescued from the illegal wildlife trade or habitat loss have been denied this vital training. Returning orangutans to their natural habitat is a complex process that requires expert rehabilitation, careful release, and long-term monitoring.
The Solution
Working with our partner YIARI, we support every stage of the orangutan rehabilitation journey — from rescue and expert care to rehabilitation, release, and post-release monitoring. This gives each orangutan the best possible chance of adapting to life in the forest and thriving independently.
The Impact
The ultimate measure of success is not simply that orangutans survive after release, but that they go on to raise families of their own.
To date, 10 of our rehabilitated orangutans have given birth to babies in the wild, creating a new generation in forests where orangutans populations were in decline. The first wild births were recorded in 2020, when former rescue centre residents Peni, Susi, Shila and Desi were each observed caring for newborn infants.
To date, 10 of our rehabilitated orangutans have given birth to babies in the wild, creating a new generation in forests where orangutans populations were in decline. The first wild births were recorded in 2020, when former rescue centre residents Peni, Susi, Shila and Desi were each observed caring for newborn infants.
Shila, a rehabilitated orangutan spotted after giving birth in the wild 
Susi spotted in the wild with a new baby 
Peni rehabilitated organutan spotted with new baby 
Desi previously rescued and rehabilitate spotted in the wild with a new baby 
