How Can You Help Orangutans?
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By making smart choices and being an informed consumer!  
This helps ALL wildlife around the world, including orangutans
PicturePhoto Courtesy of Emily Fryda
Do you know where your products are from?

​Sustainable Palm Oil
  • Download the free Palm Oil Scan Mobile App to find orangutan-friendly food and household products – by ensuring there is orangutan habitat, you also ensure the habitat for hundreds of other plant and animal species
    • Learn more about the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) – palm oil has a positive impact on the planet and people when grown sustainably, meaning without cutting down more forests
    • Write to companies that are not part of the RSPO asking that they become part of the program and commit to only using sustainable palm oil in their products
    • You can learn more about the issue of habitat loss and palm oil here
Wood and Paper Products 
  • Do you know where your furniture or paper was made?  Many products we use are made from parts of trees – responsible forestry can help fight climate change, protect biodiversity and support communities
  • Products with the Forest Stewardship Council logo means you’re helping the forests by reducing deforestation and protecting animal and plant species – they work with citizens, businesses, governments and NGOs under a common goal:  protecting healthy, resilient forest for all, forever
  • Choose from over millions of products with the “Check Tree” label – that means it’s certified by the Forest Stewardship Council
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
  • Simple changes in your daily lives can make a positive environmental impact
    • Use reusable bags at stores instead of plastic bags
    • Carry your own reusable cutlery, straws and to-go containers so that those plastic knives, forks, Styrofoam, and single use straws aren’t needed
    • Reduce paper usage overall – from the amount of mail you receive, to the amount of paper printed, to paper bags at the grocery store or for lunches
    • Minimize your daily waste – “Reduce” is the best practice for making an impact.  Reducing your water use, single use or throw away products, energy used, etc. are small changes that everyone can make
  • Find more helpful tips at Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | US EPA  
PicturePhoto Courtesy of Angie Selzer
​Be a conscientious observer
Ecotourism
Observing primates in their native habitats is always an amazing experience, but there are some dos and don’ts to be mindful of when traveling to avoid exploitation of the animals and their habitat
  • Avoid any attractions that advertise animal feeding, petting or selfies as they promote the animal trade
  • Avoid paying for entertainment opportunities where animals are not displaying natural behaviors (like orangutans boxing)
  • Make sure that you do not bring any food to the wildlife viewing area and do not feed any animals
  • While observing animals in the wild, your behavior should not interfere or change the behavior of the animal
  • Give animals their space!  Sufficient distance should be kept so that the animals remain undisturbed while you are viewing them.  If animals leave the area, don’t pursue
  • Think before you buy – souvenirs should not contribute to destruction of animal habitat – avoid woods, coral, ivory or other animal products
Primates in entertainment
  • The training required for orangutans to safely interact with actors for movies, TV and animal shows present challenges that may affect the orangutans the rest of their lives. 
​Know when to share
  • Share stories and messages on social media on International Orangutan Day (August 19th), Orangutan Caring Week (November), or throughout the year, so others can be aware of what they can do to help save orangutan.
  • Only share and like appropriate content featuring orangutans or other primates, and educate other pages and people on social media when inappropriate content is posted
  • You can learn more about the issues surrounding primates as pets and in social media here
​Donate
Donate or hold a fundraiser to raise funds for organizations that support the wellbeing of orangutans
  • Orangutan SSP and Orangutan SAFE
  • AZA Facilities
    • Visit a zoo to see and learn about orangutans up close and become advocates for their conservation – share what you learned with family and friends!
      • ​Find all AZA zoos with orangutans here!
    • “Adopt” an orangutan through an AZA accredited zoo
  • Center for Great Apes – the only Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries accredited organization that houses orangutans and one of a handful of accredited sanctuaries that house chimpanzees
  • In situ conservation organizations – these organizations are in native orangutan habitat 
    • See a list of organizations that work to conserve orangutans in the wild here​
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