August 19 – A Day for Orangutans, A Day for Action

Imagine walking through a lush green rainforest, the air thick with the smell of wet earth. You hear the rustle of leaves high above—and there they are. A pair of wise, gentle eyes peeks through the branches. An orangutan. Watching you as if it’s trying to understand who you are… perhaps wondering if you are a friend or a threat.

Every year on August 19, the world comes together for International Orangutan Day—a day dedicated to these incredible “forest people.” But behind the celebrations lies an urgent truth: orangutans are in trouble.

Found only in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, these great apes share 97% of our DNA. They are our close cousins, capable of using tools, solving problems, and showing emotions that feel strikingly human. Yet, their homes are disappearing at an alarming rate.

The culprits? Deforestation and the rapid spread of palm oil plantations. Vast forests are cleared to make way for crops and logging, leaving orangutans stranded, hungry, and vulnerable. Many lose their lives; others are orphaned and rescued by conservation teams who work around the clock to give them a second chance.

Rescue centers in Borneo and Sumatra often care for tiny orangutan babies clinging to soft blankets instead of their mothers. Caretakers feed them, teach them to climb, and slowly prepare them for life back in the wild. It’s painstaking, emotional work—but it’s also a fight against time.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to be in the rainforest to help. Choosing products with sustainable palm oil, cutting down on paper waste, and supporting organizations that protect rainforests all make a difference. Each small choice adds up, and every tree saved means a home for an orangutan.

So, this August 19, think of those soulful eyes in the treetops. International Orangutan Day is more than awareness—it’s a promise. A promise that future generations will not have to see orangutans only in books or zoos, but in the wild, where they belong.

Saving them isn’t just about protecting a species—it’s about protecting a piece of ourselves.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store – https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share