October 11, 2008 - Santa Monica, CA. Orangutans will be celebrated once again by individuals and organizations during Orangutan Caring Week, November 9-15, 2008. It is an opportunity for the public to learn more about this marvelous species, their role in the rainforest environment of Borneo and Sumatra, and their continuing struggle to survive. It is also a time where people can consider how they can help save the species and their forest habitat for future generations.

 

About Orangutan Caring Week. Orangutan Caring Week (OCW) or Pekan Peduli Orangutan (in the Indonesian language), was originally sponsored by the Orang Utan Republik Education Initiative (OUREI) in 2005, following a petition campaign and efforts by OUREI Ambassador Angelina Sondakh, to obtain official recognition of the event by the Indonesian government. On November 16, 2005, Orangutan Caring Week was first officially declared by the Minister of Forestry, M. S. Kaban in Indonesia. Since that time, OCW has grown internationally and particularly in Indonesia where numerous organizations have taken the opportunity to highlight the orangutan and their own organization's efforts to conserve the species. 

 Why a Special Week for Orangutans. According to OUREI Chairman Dr. Gary Shapiro, "Orangutan Caring Week is a time where we can all collaborate to raise awareness and concern while enrolling the public to participate in ensuring the future of one of our closest primate relatives." This year, the theme for OCW is "Working Together to Save the Orangutan." The special week coincides with Orangutan Awareness Week (OAW), which is being celebrated at around the same period. 

 What You Can Do. Organizations and individuals are encouraged to collaborate to develop and deliver projects and presentations to the public that tell a story about the orangutan, its plight and what they can do to positively affect the species. 

Numerous orangutan organizations will be participating. For example, in Indonesia, the Sumatran Orangutan Education Consortium, a group of six orangutan and conservation organizations, will be providing education programs and outreach events in and around the city of Medan, Sumatra.
 

Organizations in Indonesia wanting to participate should contact Mr. Ridhwan Effendi, OUREI Indonesia to coordinate the event. He can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Groups or individuals planning to participate in OCW or OAW are encouraged to contact OUREI to better publicize their own events. For more information on OCW, visit www.OrangutanCaringWeek.org http://www.orangutancaringweek.org/