Today is International Orangutan Day! Did you know the name “orangutan” literally translates in English to “person of the forest,” coming from the Malay and Bahasa Indonesian orang (person) and hutan (forest)? A well-deserved name considering 98% of our human DNA is identical to that of an Orangutan! All the more reason to celebrate and protect our perceived cousins of the forest.

So, you might be asking yourself, why do these creatures have their own day? Well, August 19th of every year is meant to help encourage people to take action in protecting and preserving this amazing species in the wild. Orangutans are constantly threatened by the destruction of their rainforest habitat, due mainly to encroaching palm oil plantations, illegal logging, fires, poaching, and, in the case of the Tapanuli, a dam.

That's why we are taking this day to love, praise, and highlight our friend the Orangutan. See some videos below of our favorite friends with these lovely creatures!

Wild Kratts - Orangutan Approved

A mother orangutan teaches Chris and Martin how to make their own natural medicine.

I'm an Orangutan | I'M AN ANIMAL

Do you know what Orangutan means? Find out in “I'm an Orangutan!”

For more information on International Orangutan Day, and more importantly what you can do to help these magnificent creatures, visit Orangutan Outreach.

Orangutan Outreach’s mission is to protect orangutans in their native forests of Borneo and Sumatra while providing care for orphaned and displaced orangutans until they can be returned to their natural environment. If they cannot be released, we will do everything in our power to ensure they have a life of dignity and the best possible long-term care. We seek to raise funds and promote public awareness of orangutan conservation issues by collaborating with partner organizations around the world.