The Orangutan Conservancy
Dedicated to the conservation of orangutan and their rain forest homes
Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The orangutan population is at an all-time low. This is due to oil palm plantations, logging, illegal hunting, and the illegal pet trade. We work to fight against all of those current threats to orangutans in order to give them a fighting chance for survival in the 21st Century. Today it is estimated that 27,000 species are extinguished every year in the world’s rainforests – or 74 species a day. Orangutans are found only in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. The population of wild orangutans has declined by more than half in the last 50 years, and approximately 80% of their natural habitat has been lost in the last half century. Current research suggests that there are perhaps only 50,000 – 65,000 left in the wild. The Orangutan Conservancy works to protect orangutans in their natural environment, and if we can help this great ape to survive for the future, many other native species, including plants and insects, will also be here for generations to come.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Orangutan Kutai Project (OKP)
The Orangutan Kutai Project focuses on the range of orangutans because ranging offers a good overview of their habitat needs, social lives, energy management, flexibilities, and limits. Effective protection depends on designing programs to suit their needs, preferences, flexibilities, and limitations.
The project is directed by Dr. Anne Russon, an Orangutan Conservancy board member and researcher with 23 years of experience studying orangutan behavior in Bornean forests, and operates in the field with a team of six local field assistants, a manager (Purwo Kuncoro) and a counterpart from the Kutai National Park authority.
The Orangutan Conservancy has a unique relationship with the Orangutan Kutai Project. Our main partnership is through the OC Wild Adoption Program which offers the virtual adoption of the orangutans currently ranging in the research area of OKP. Revenue from this program is split between the Orangutan Conservancy and the Orangutan Kutai Project, with ~80% going directly to the Orangutan Kutai Project. The ~20% retained by OC is used for administrative purposes to keep the program running.
OC's Orangutan Veterinary Advisory Workshop (OVAG)
The OC/OVAG Workshop is held annually for veterinarians and managers working at various reintroduction centers in Indonesia & Malaysia. The workshops are in their ninth year and are directed by Steve Unwin and Raffaella Commitante.
Conservation Project Funding
Every year the Orangutan Conservancy grants funding requests from various ongoing orangutan conservation projects in Southeast Asia. OC prioritizes funding for various wildlife research programs in Indonesia that support and coordinate orangutan conservation in addition to providing (when needed) emergency funding to help protect critical habitats of the orangutan, including efforts to control forest fires where important populations exist or supporting other emergency activities. The two main areas we focus on are orangutan rescue, rehabilitation, and release centers (ex. Sintang Orangutan Center) and research projects related to orangutans and their rainforest homes (ex. Advancing Research on Palm Oil Sustainability and Orangutan Conservation with HUTAN).
The Orangutan Conservancy proudly funds proposals focusing on:
> Conservation-useful Science
>Sanctuaries and Rehabilitation Centers
>Emergency Appeals
Where we work
External reviews
Photos
Our results
How does this organization measure their results? It's a hard question but an important one.
Evaluation documents
Download evaluation reportsNumber of conservation actions at site(s)
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Increasing
Number of research studies conducted
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Number of research studies funded
This metric is no longer tracked.Totals By Year
Type of Metric
Output - describing our activities and reach
Direction of Success
Holding steady
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Our ultimate goal is all about saving the remaining wild orangutans in Indonesia and Malaysia. With the orangutan population at an all-time low, our work is needed more than ever before. Also, supporting rescue and rehabilitation efforts, while also helping projects that are securing or reclaiming rainforest areas, is another main focus of our work. We are also very focused on keeping the public aware of the situation on the ground in Asia, so that they can do their part to help orangutans and the rainforest.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Supporting numerous projects that help with orangutan rescue, release and research in the wilds. Joining forces with forward-thinking projects and organizations that are making pragmatic advances in orangutan survival. Having an active website and online presence to relay news, views and perspectives on the current state of affairs in regard to orangutan conservation.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
The Orangutan Conservancy is recognized as one of the world's longest-running orangutan projects. Our team is led by some of the top orangutan experts and conservationists in the world. We have long and successful relationships with many of the most recognized conservation organizations across the globe. Through active fundraising and public awareness campaigns we continue to do the work that must be done to save the amazing orangutans in the 21st Century.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
We have supported numerous programs for over a decade. Our research has been published. We have continued to expand orangutan awareness across the globe through ongoing campaigns. We haven't been able to slow the loss of wild orangutans, yet, but we will continue in this battle as long as there is a need.
How we listen
Seeking feedback from people served makes programs more responsive and effective. Here’s how this organization is listening.
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How is your organization using feedback from the people you serve?
To identify and remedy poor client service experiences, To make fundamental changes to our programs and/or operations, To inform the development of new programs/projects
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Which of the following feedback practices does your organization routinely carry out?
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What challenges does the organization face when collecting feedback?
We don't have any major challenges to collecting feedback
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
The Orangutan Conservancy
Board of directorsas of 06/26/2022
Rafaella Commitante
Juanita Kempe
No Affiliation
Anne Russon
Glendon College
Rob Shumaker
The Indianapolis Zoo
Barbara Shaw
No Affiliation
Raffaella Commitante
No Affiliation
Norm Rosen
PASA
Betty Dunbar
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes