We were delighted and surprised to receive a cheque for £40,000 raised from The Body Shop Foundation’s Sumatra Trek.

Cathy and Ashley from the Orangutan Foundation
with trekkers Helen Biggs (on the left), Zara O'Sullivan and
Nicky Starns (on the right) on Monday 13 May.

Watch a short video clip of their adventures here on YouTube.

A huge thank you The Body Shop Foundation, to all the 20 intrepid trekkers and also to their generous supporters.

As oil-palm plantations encroach upon more and more orangutan habitat, this endangered great ape’s struggle to exist will only get harder. The Orangutan Foundation continues to rescue wild orangutans, many of them young (their mothers probably killed) from oil palm plantations.

Last month we rescued a young orangutan, who we named Melan, from a plantation, she had a large wound to her head, which we are still treating (find out more and watch a video clip on our blog).

A few weeks later another young wild orangutan, named Jupe, this time in good health, was rescued, given a veterinary check and then trans-located to the Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve, Indonesian Borneo.

We also know of another two orangutans, who have been seen in an oil palm plantation, eating the oil-palm fruit. That the apes should resort to eating it is almost certainly a sign of a shortage of wild fruit, which in turn is a sign of loss of habitat due to encroachment by oil-palm plantations. Our rescue team will continue to search for the orangutans and hopefully move them to the Lamandau River Wildlife Reserve - prime orangutan habitat, which we are safeguarding with guard posts and patrols.

Please support our work, you can donate online, and follow our news.

Sign the petition at avaaz.org

"As concerned citizens we urge you to reject the plan to cut down the rainforest in Aceh, and ensure instead the local community has a voice in planning that prioritises sustainable development, and that protects this fragile ecosystem and the animals that live there. Indonesia’s majestic forests are a global treasure, and we also call on you to immediately extend and strengthen the logging moratorium that expires in May to protect the rain forests."

http://www.avaaz.org/en/the_plan_to_kill_orangutans_n/?cuDhtab

Experience firsthand what your support helps us to achieve on an Orangutan Conservation Tour in Indonesian Borneo, led by Foundation Director Ashley Leiman.

One of last year's participants said the highlight was "seeing so many orangutans and having such a knowledgeable and fantastic guide (Ashley Leiman)...One of the all-time best. At least FIVE stars!!!"

There are still opportunities for a select few to go behind the scenes of orangutan conservation in Tanjung Puting National Park – the best place in the world to see wild orangutans. This tour gives you access to exclusive orangutan habitat with virtually guaranteed sightings.

You will spend time on private river boats, exploring the small waterways that connect the forest, looking out for proboscis monkeys, kingfishers and monitor lizards as well as numerous birds and butterflies. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the key role the forest plays in securing the orangutans' future.

By joining this tour you will be will given the privilege of seeing these gentle creatures in the wild whilst helping in the fight against their extinction. Don't miss this wonderful and unique opportunity.

Group 1: 9 June - 18 June
Group 2: 15 September - 24 September

Please contact Steppes Discovery for more information.