Leuser Nature School, Sumatra

Orangutans, with their soulful eyes and gentle nature, are beloved symbols of the rainforest. But did you know, orangutans play a vital role in keeping these precious ecosystems healthy and thriving.

As we celebrate International Orangutan Day, it’s important to understand just how crucial these incredible beings are to the world’s rainforests

Orangutans are the “Gardeners of the Forest”

Orangutans are known as the “gardeners of the forest.” They spend most of their lives in the trees, swinging from branch to branch, and their diet consists mainly of fruit. As they move through the forest, they eat a variety of fruits and later disperse the seeds far and wide through their droppings. This natural process helps to maintain the diversity of the forest, as seeds are spread across large areas, giving rise to new plants and trees.

Orangutans are “Ecosystem Engineers”

Orangutans shape the rainforest in ways that benefit thousands of other species. A diverse forest is more resilient to changes and threats, such as disease, climate change, and natural disasters. With many plant species growing together, the loss of one does not lead to the collapse of the entire ecosystem. In this way, orangutans help maintain the delicate balance of life in the rainforest, supporting a web of interconnected species that rely on one another for survival.

Orangutans are a “Keystone Species”

The presence of orangutans is a sign of a healthy, functioning rainforest. They are a keystone species, meaning their presence has a disproportionate impact on the environment compared to other species. Healthy rainforests are crucial for the planet. They act as the Earth’s lungs, absorbing carbon dioxide and producing oxygen. They also regulate the global climate, support the water cycle, and provide a home to countless species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. The health of these rainforests, and by extension our planet, is closely linked to the survival of orangutans.

This International Orangutan Day, we thank you for your donations which help ensure that wild orangutans remain a part of our world for generations to come. Together, we can make a difference.