19/08/2025
It’s International Orangutan Day when we join the global campaign to raise awareness of these critically endangered animals.
Orangutans face enormous threats in the wild. They’re hunted for the pet trade and are losing their habitat at a rapid pace due to the demand for palm oil.
But here at DZC we’re helping in the fightback against their extinction.
We work alongside Sintang Orangutan Center in Indonesia, which specialises in the rescue, rehabilitation and release of these charismatic great apes. Thanks to our contributions, we’ve already been able to fund a second Forest School, where rescued orangutans can learn basic survival skills, such as climbing, foraging for food and nest building, before they’re released into protected wild forests.
Our sponsorship, which is raised through general zoo visits, purchases of experiences and keeper days and donations, also continues to fund the operational costs of the Forest School, including the provision of food, vitamins and medicines, as well as monitoring equipment and electricity costs.
If you’re visiting us this week, don’t forget it’s our orangutan focus week, when our education team will be leading activities and crafts at the orangutan habitat every day until Sunday. You can also hear more about this magnificent species during our daily 12.45pm Presenter-led talk throughout the summer holiday.
