The event started off as Orangutan Awareness Week but as with so many other species, it’s clear that raising awareness just isn’t enough.

We need to care enough to take action and save these amazing animals and their rainforest homes.

Rainforests matter

Rainforests and ecosystems are essential to all our health and wellbeing and they need to be sustainably managed so that they can continue to help us all stay well.   They help moderate the climate, they are critical to maintain water quality and for erosion control.   They are known for their biodiversity.  It’s important that people know that rainforests matter for ALL our wellbeing.

The Orangutan Caring Week 2020:

The theme this year is:  Protecting Biodiversity for a healthy planet”

And how appropriate that theme is.  Covid-19 has really raised awareness of how all our health and wellbeing is interlinked. 

COVID-19 hasn’t yet been observed in great apes, but scientific evidence shows that they are susceptible to diseases transmitted by humans.  And scientists fear that the virus could jump to gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, who share 97 to 99% of their DNA with people.

The orangutans are also facing habitat loss, habitat degradation, illegal hunting, and an illegal pet trade.

Every precaution is being taken to protect the orangutans and staff at rescue and rehabilitation centres.  Unfortunately, this means that expenses are rising as centres have to buy in food, gowns, gloves and testing.   More orangutans are coming into the centres who need to be cared for.

The climate crisis and mass extinction threatening thousands of animals and plants mean that the need for action is clear.

Orangutans have lived in harmony with nature for millions of years.  And now, because of human activity, their populations have plummeted by over 50% over the past 60 years.  Their habitat has been reduced by 55% in the last 20 years alone.

We must protect wildlife habitats.

Some of the newest disease – Ebola, SARS, Covd-19 – have come about when humans have crossed the natural barriers between people and animal populations.  We must give critically endangered species their right to safe, thriving habitats, where they can be unbothered by people. 

Save orangutans and we are making changes to perhaps protect all life on earth. 

5 ways to help:

1. Learn about the issues
2. Take action for orangutans.  Do something to help.
3. Spread the word
4. Donate
5. Take a look at orangutan conservation charities to see how you can help.

 Action is needed to save the orangutan and their rainforest home.

 If ever there was a time to care, that time is now!

#OrangutanCaringWeek   #OCW

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