Here at Orangutan Foundation, we are looking forward to a productive 2025, including the celebration of our 35th anniversary. But first, let us look back on what we were able to achieve in 2024 due to the generosity of our friends, donors and members, and the support of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry.
FOR ORANGUTANS
Labetty gave birth to Lego!
1 orphaned orangutan re-introduced into the wild after seven years of learning
6 orphaned orangutans cared for in the soft-release programme
In June, we welcomed a wild birth when Labetty gave birth to Lego! The pair are doing well, with Lego already spotted climbing on his own at just six-months-old.
Labetty (right) with infant Lego (left)
With one orangutan’s arrival came another’s departure, as November saw ten-year-old Boy ‘graduate’ the soft-release programme, starting his new chapter in the protected Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. After seven years of learning, we are confident he has all the skills necessary for his independent life in the wild.
Other orangutans in the soft-release programme are also progressing well, with Adib and Mona nearing readiness for release. Logos has moved to Camp Rasak and has made his first nest. Sinta, although young, is very confident, and has already stayed overnight in the forest rather than coming back to her enclosure. Meanwhile, Timtom continues to be a source of amusement to all and is yet to make a successful nest - one may hope!
Video: Three-year-old Sinta building a nest
FOR FORESTS
Approximately 550,000 acres of critical rainforest habitat protected
Over 5,000 orangutans safe-guarded through the habitat protection programme
Over 40 hectares of degraded rainforest restored using 43,500 tree saplings
Two forest fires extinguished
Boreholes (wells) built to reduce the spread of fire and aid firefighting
In 2024, approximately 550,000 acres of critical rainforest habitat were protected through guard posts and patrols. With over 5,000 orangutans in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve and Tanjung Puting National Park, your donations have helped protect this critically endangered species through the prevention of illegal activities.
Guard post staff on a river patrol in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve
Reforestation was also continued in over 40 hectares of degraded rainforest habitat, with 43,500 saplings grown in our nurseries being planted out. This includes 3,000 saplings used in the maintenance of previously reforested areas to ensure viable growth.
Meydina (Reforestation Manager) with tree-saplings growing in a nursery
Fortunately, the dry season was not as arid as expected, with only two forest fires needing to be extinguished in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve. Staff also built wells - namely ‘boreholes’ - to encourage the growth of wetter, fire-resistant vegetation, and to provide water sources for firefighting in fire-prone forest areas.
BIODIVERSITY
White-bearded gibbon released into the wild after one-year in care
Six newly-identified bird species spotted in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve
Family of rare clouded leopards observed on camera traps
The excitement does not end with orangutans! In February, Hepto the white-bearded gibbon was released into Lamandau Wildlife Reserve after one-year in care. Hepto was suffering from hepatitis at the time of his rescue from life as an illegal pet, but has made a full recovery and now has a second chance at life in the wild.
Meanwhile, Endut, another white-bearded gibbon, is exploring the forest around his enclosure. With confidence, we hope that he too can be returned to the wild.
Endut
This year we were excited to observe six recently-identified bird species in Lamandau Wildlife Reserve, bringing the Foundation’s bird identification list to 75 species! Meanwhile, in Tanjung Puting National Park, camera traps recorded a rare family of clouded leopards. Before these cameras, the presence of this tree-dwelling species was previously unknown!
Family of rare clouded leopards caught on camera trap
PEOPLE
Sustainable livelihoods provided for locals in reforestation and habitat protection programmes
Collaborative workshops held to improve local conservation management
Community engagement with secondary schools in Indonesia and UK
Providing sustainable incomes has always been key for the Orangutan Foundation. In 2024, a total of 201 community residents were involved in our conservation programmes.
In the reforestation programme, women’s groups hand-crafted biodegradable eco-bags for nursery seedlings to grow in. The collection of these seedlings and planting-out of the resulting saplings was done by local women and men respectively. Our guard post staff in the habitat protection programme are also recruited from local villages.
Woman from local village weaving eco-bag out of Nipa plant.
Additionally, with the Arcus Foundation, we deliver workshops for local stakeholders that share conservation best management practices (BMPs). In collaboration with BKSDA and KPHP (local management unit of production forests), two multi-stakeholder workshops were held to develop local management of biodiversity and synergy.
In 2024, we continued to work with schools in both Indonesia and the UK, giving talks to secondary-school students on the importance of orangutan conservation. It is wonderful to inspire and be inspired by a new generation of conservationists.
RESEARCH
Regular population monitoring of endangered Proboscis monkey
Population monitoring survey of Tomistoma crocodile
The Landscape Conservation Programme (LCP) undertook surveys of orangutans and wildlife within private sector concessions
Human-orangutan conflict mitigation workshops with local villages
Camera Trap & Plant Identification workshop held for local stakeholders
Biodiversity population monitoring surveys were continued in Tanjung Puting National Park in 2024. This included regular Proboscis monkey monitoring along the Sekonyer river, a conservation priority area for this endangered species endemic to Borneo. Tomistoma crocodiles were also monitored here, with results indicating a higher population density to the previous year!
Group of Proboscis Monkeys by Ian Wood
With over 80% of orangutans outside of protected habitat, it is also important that we find ways of protecting these populations. The LCP programme undertook seven research surveys within forestry and oil-palm concessions to provide further insight.
LCP programme conducting a survey
Additionally, Orangutan Foundation staff presented at two biodiversity conferences. This included sharing research at the Asian Primate Symposium and the International Conference on Biodiversity. Research grants were also awarded to four Indonesian PhD students.
Workshop with stakeholders on managing orangutan populations in oil-palm concessions
FUNDRAISING
Exceeded targets in all three major fundraising campaigns!
Together with your generous donations, we have exceeded our target goals for all three of our annual fundraising campaigns!
Orangutan in forest by Andrea Molyneaux
THANK YOU!
To all our friends, donors and supporters, we thank you for your continued interest and support of the work of Orangutan Foundation.
By becoming a member, you will receive our bi-annual newsletters full of more in-depth information and stories from the field. We hope you will join us for another year of progress and critical work together.
