OUR MISSION
For over 30 years, the Orangutan Foundation has been working to save the critically endangered orangutan and their tropical forest habitat. Founded in 1990, we have a unique and diverse approach to orangutan conservation.
Our core mission is to save orangutans by protecting their tropical forest habitat, working with local communities and promoting research and education.
However, our approach goes beyond that of purely protecting orangutans. It recognizes that orangutans are essential to their habitat, which is unique in its rich biodiversity and is crucial for local communities, who are as dependent on the forest as the orangutans.
“Conservation is more than protecting a species, it is about saving nature which includes us, 'the fifth great ape'. The efforts of all of us to prevent climate change will be seen as a defining moment in history, for humanity's sake and for the health of the whole planet. Tropical forests can play a significant role in guarding against climate change”.
Ashley Leiman OBE, Founder & Director/Trustee
We play an active role in international and local networks to promote the conservation of orangutans and their habitats. The Foundation are part of the Asian Species Action Partnership (ASAP), are on the Executive Committee of UNEP’s Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP). Find out more about our partners.
Our operations in Indonesia
We are the only UK and European-based orangutan conservation NGO licensed to operate in Indonesia.
All our programmes are conducted in collaboration with regional representatives of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry from Tanjung Puting National Park and BKSDA.
