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Orangutans and the rainforest

Every orangutan is a precious guardian of the rainforest. By protecting them, we ensure future generations inherit a thriving home.

Umbrella species

Orangutans are considered an ‘umbrella species’, meaning that protecting also helps to protect countless other species that share their habitat. They require large areas of healthy rainforest to survive, so conserving orangutan habitat safeguards forests for thousands of other plants and animals, from tiny insects to hornbills, clouded leopards and even critically endangered tree species. By focusing conservation efforts on orangutans, we protect entire ecosystems, ensuring biodiversity is preserved and ecological balance remains intact.

Beryl in a tree

Gardeners of the forest

Orangutans play a crucial role in forest regeneration through seed dispersal. They eat a variety of fruit and travel long distances across the rainforest canopy, spreading seeds in their droppings as they go. For some large-seeded plant species, orangutans are among the most important dispersers, helping ensure these trees can thrive and maintain the diversity of the forest. Without orangutans, the structure and ecological balance of these forests would be significantly affected.

Beryl eating berries

Forest architects

As they move through the canopy, orangutans bend and break branches to make nests. This constant activity helps shape the structure of the forest, creating openings that allow sunlight to reach plants on the forest floor. These gaps encourage growth of new vegetation and help to create habitats for other animals. Their daily journey through the treetops helps maintain the rainforest’s dynamic architecture and biodiversity.

Tombi in a nest

Masters of the canopy

Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals in the world and are extraordinarily agile canopy specialists. With arms twice as long as their bodies and flexible hips that rotate nearly 180° they are able to navigate the forest with precision and grace. They know the paths between fruiting trees, seasonal rhythms and locations of water sources held within leaves or tree cavities. Their intimate knowledge of the rainforest canopy is a testament to millions of years of evolution, making them true masters of their arboreal world.

Malim in a tree

Nature’s healers

The daily movements of orangutans help keep the rainforest healthy and in return, the rainforest helps orangutans too. These intelligent apes are known to use certain plants as natural medicine, carefully selecting leaves and bark with antibacterial or anti-inflammatory properties to soothe aches and treat wounds. Meanwhile, the forests they sustain are powerful climate protectors, storing vast amounts of carbon and producing oxygen that supports life across the planet.

Beryl eating leaves

Protecting orangutans means protecting one of nature’s most remarkable mutual healing relationships - the rainforest nurtures them and in return they nurture the rainforest.

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