Numerous non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have formed over the years in response to the dwindling orangutan population. While some of these NGOs are locally based in Borneo and Sumatra, others operate from overseas countries such as the United Kingdom. Some of these organisations include Sumatran Orangutan Society, Orangutan Outreach, and Borneo Orangutan Survival.

Source: Sumatran Orangutan Society

One of the main efforts of NGOs includes educating the public on the plight of the orangutans and the value of the of the rainforest ecosystem. By doing so, individuals may be inspired to get involved and render their help with such efforts. This is especially important, with the sheer amount of people who are oblivious to the precarious future that orangutans are facing.

In some cases, NGOs have taken forest restoration into their own hands. For  example, the Sumatran Orangutan Society has built 8 organic tree nurseries and forestry centres near degraded orangutan habitat areas in Aceh and North Sumatra. Such projects are aimed at providing a solution for the locals to a way to earn a living whilst preserving and restoring the rainforests.

Source: Sumatran Orangutan Society

The idea in community conservation that NGOs aim for, is to empower the locals to be guardians of the forest, protecting the orangutan population. They do so by assisting local communities in developing conservation action plans, and then providing training and support to make these ideas happen. Workshops conducted can also teach the skills on how to better co-exist with the orangutans, mitigating the human-orangutan conflict.

Additionally, many NGOs raise funds through asking for donations or selling merchandises in order to continue championing their cause. Outreach initiatives, collaborative programs, rehabilitating displaced orangutans, and creating awareness using social media are also among other orangutan conservation efforts initiated by NGOs.

To better improve on their conservation efforts, NGOs need to choose and focus on their goals. They are unable to reverse the damage that has already been done to orangutans and their habitats, but they can work on one or two achievable goals to lessen further destruction. That might be saving and rehabilitating displaced orangutans or assisting the authorities to identify, create or sustain a new protected area.