WIRRAL businesses are being urged to think less about inflation and more about deforestation this month to help save two of the world’s most threatened species from extinction.
The 2015 Go Orange campaign – run by Chester Zoo – is asking businesses across the borough to organise orange-themed fundraising activities throughout October – all to raise funds to support Bornean and Sumatran orangutan conservation efforts in the wild.
Three-year-old Sumatran orangutan, Tuti, at Chester Zoo.
All of the money raised will support crucial projects that work hard to protect forests and the surrounding ecosystems on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra where orangutans live.
Estimates suggest that there are less than 40,000 Bornean orangutans and less than 6,500 Sumatran orangutans left in the wild, with more than 80% of their home being destroyed in the last 30 years, due largely to the destruction of habitat for the wholesale conversion of forests to non-sustainable palm oil plantations, illegal logging and hunting.
Melanie Cowieson, development manager at the zoo, said: “Over the past couple of years we have received a tremendous response to the campaign from businesses across the country, which has helped conservationists purchase 15 specialist camera traps and undertake new research into how wild orangutans are changing their habits as a result of widespread deforestation, as well as planting over 2000 trees – which are a vital source of food and shelter for the species.
“This year, we want to encourage more businesses to get involved and help us to raise awareness of the issues that orangutans face out in the wild. It’s an ever-worsening situation that needs immediate global attention, so we want businesses to Go Orange in fun and inventive ways.
“It’s very important to recognise that the campaign is also about raising awareness, particularly surrounding the consequences of palm oil production.
"Our aim is to get businesses involved in the campaign, and have people understand how buying products containing sustainably sourced palm oil can make a huge difference when conserving wildlife – especially for the orangutan, which could be the first great ape to become extinct in the wild if no action is taken.”
The zoo’s Go Orange campaign has seen tremendous support from the business world across the UK in previous years - including law firms, restaurants and even a chalk bag company.
This year the zoo will be challenging all businesses small and large to get involved and help support the future of orangutans in the wild, which hang perilously close to extinction.
Chester Zoo has had a long standing field support programme working with orangutan conservationists in Borneo and has supported field expeditions in 2011 and 2012, which saw zoo staff travel to assist project partner HUTAN, in Borneo.
The expedition saw staff work closely with the sanctuary team to construct bridges for orangutans and launch a research boat, vital in conducting day-to-day monitoring activities.
Chester Zoo is working with the species in the wild and its Realm of the Red Ape Conservation Programme is helping field workers in Borneo to restore forests in which Bornean orangutans live.
The zoo also backs the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Project in Sumatra, which provides education workshops in schools, aiming to teach children about the importance of preserving the biodiversity around them.
Getting involved is easy and goes well beyond a simple donation, all are encouraged to get stuck in whether it’s a cake sale, fun run or an orange uniform day, every penny counts and really will help to make a difference to one of the world’s most iconic species.
- To find out how you can get involved in Chester Zoo’s Go Orange campaign and for more about how you can help, visit chesterzoo.org/goorange or to make a donation now text ORNG15 £5 to 70070 to donate £5 today.
Go Orange facts
• £2... could buy a notebook to collect field data on orangutans
• £5…could pay for one day’s petrol for the boat journey from the village to the orangutan research site
• £10… could be used to plant and nurture a new tree
• £100…could pay the weekly salary of a wildlife warden
• £600…could pay for one-hour helicopter patrol over the wildlife sanctuary
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here