That’s what the Bukit Tigapuluh (BTP) sanctuary is for more than 200 orangutans, rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.

These orangutans that have come into care, often young due to the nature of the illegal wildlife trade and demand for infant orangutans have learned the skills they need to survive in the wild, such as nest building, foraging, and socialisng, at the BTP Jungle School we partnered with Frankfurt Zoological Society to build.

We worked together on the master planning of, behavioural enrichment, enclosure designs, conflict mitigation, and so much more.

Since 2006 we have supported and partnered with Frankfurt Zoological Society, not only contributing to this Jungle School, but also the release program, the establishment of wildlife patrols, and education programs for local communities and schools.

Habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation of land for oil palm and rubber trees, human-wildlife conflict and the illegal wildlife trade have pushed all three species of orangutans to the brink of extinction, so Frankfurt Zoological Society’s work makes a huge difference to the species.

It also protects many other animals that seek refuge in the Bukit Tigapuluh rainforest, such as Sumatran Elephants and Sumatran Tigers.

Excitingly, as well as providing a protected wild home in a historic range for the orangutans, BTP is now also a safe haven for more than 20 orangutan infants that have been born in the wild, a conservation triumph for the survival of the species.

Learn more about Sumatran Orangutans.

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