What is The orangutan project

The orangutan project (TOP) was founded in 1998 to protect the families of orangutans and prevent their extinction . Leif Cocks has dedicated more than 25 years of his life and career to the care and protection of these animals, helping to repopulate and recreate different colonies of orangutans in the world.

A non-profit organization therefore that supports many related projects, including the fight against deforestation and against the loss of important habitats for these and other living beings.

The mission of The orangutan project

Ensuring the survival of Orangutan species in Borneo and the island of Sumatra, this is one of the important missions that the association is carrying out.

On the site of the same name, on the dedicated European page, you can read the missions that went well in 2015/2016 and numbers that bode well: 3 cases won against deforestation, recovery of thousands of hectares, hundreds of hectares put under protection, 3, 500 protected orangutans - which to date have risen to around 8, 000 - a hundred experts and rangers who dedicate themselves to these animals.

Furthermore, of the approximately 200 cared for and saved orangutans, a good 70% have been reintegrated into their wild environment and many of these successfully. There is no lack of development projects, hundreds of courses for schools and communities that involve as many students.

From orangutans to tigers, rhinos and elephants

Given the success of this project and its mutual benefits, two other important projects have been founded : the International Elephant Project and the International Tiger Project, two projects dedicated to elephants and tigers.

Wildlife Asia, a connected project, is also involved in pursuing the protection of rhinos, another highly threatened species.

The successful project of the orangutans, followed by those of the Sumatran tiger and the elephants, follows two main strategic lines: first, the securing of the land that hosts the orangutans through the purchase of the same and binding agreements with possible owners ; secondly, rescue, care and rehabilitation and therefore the release of animals in bad order to ensure their procreation and safety in their own habitat.

These projects are also loved by local populations, as they aim to ensure and promote social equality and equal employment opportunities for all.