In its latest reports, the IUCN Red List continued to categorize the three orangutan species (Bornean, Sumatran, Tapanuli) as Critically Endangered.

The Bornean Orangutan population has experienced a devastating decrease of over 60% from 1950 to 2010, with a predicted extra decline of 22% by 2025, marking a total loss of more than 82% within only three generations1.

The estimated population of Sumatran Orangutans is 13,846, and 98.5% live in protected areas2.

Since 1985, the population of the Tapanuli Orangutan—the least numerous of all great ape species—has alarmingly dwindled from an estimated 1,489 to less than 800 in 2016, with projections dipping to just 257 individuals by 20603.

Conservation Initiatives

The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing orangutans into the wild. They also work on habitat conservation and education initiatives to raise awareness about the plight of orangutans.
Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) conserves orangutans  and their habitat. OFI runs an orphan care center in Borneo and conducts extensive research on orangutans.
The Orangutan Project (TOP) protects orangutans and preserves their habitat. They fund projects focusing on rescue and rehabilitation, habitat protection, and community partnerships.
Orangutan Outreach protects orangutans through rescue, rehabilitation, release programs, public awareness campaigns, and rainforest conservation initiatives.
The UNEP launched the Great Apes Survival Partnership  (GRASP) in 2001 to ensure the long-term survival of orangutans and other great apes and their natural habitat in both Africa and Asia.