“Back to Green” is the theme for Orangutan Caring Week 2010
6 November, 2010 – Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia. Orangutans, the ginger haired great apes from Southeast Asia, will be the focus of attention during Orangutan Caring Week, November 7-13, 2010. This annual celebration will provide opportunities for the public around the world to learn more about this endangered species. Concerned organizations and individuals will be hosting events highlighting the orangutan, their role in the rainforest environment of Borneo and Sumatra, and their struggle to survive rainforest destruction.
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 former 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.
According to Orang Utan Republik Foundation (OURF) President Dr. Gary Shapiro, "Orangutan Caring Week provides an excellent opportunity for people and groups to work together on behalf of the species with engaging outreach events. The idea is to enroll the public to participate in ensuring the future of one of our closest primate relatives." This year, the theme for OCW is "Back to Green", an Indonesian inspired theme that connotes both a return to the forest for ex-captive orangutans and a return to green principles and practice for humans. The special week also coincides with Orangutan Awareness Week (OAW), which is being celebrated at around the same period.
Orangutan and conservation organizations 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. Individuals, likewise, can take a role in promoting a better understanding of the species' plight. Orangutan organizations in Indonesia will be participating including the Orangutan Caring Club in North Sumatra and the Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program in West Borneo. They will be joined by other international orangutan groups such as the Center for Great Apes and the Orangutan Foundation UK. Students from international universities in Portugal, Finland, and the United States will also be hosting events during the special week. Finally over a dozen zoos around the world, from Aukland to Toronto, will have events and special opportunities for visitors.
Groups or individuals planning to participate in OCW or OAW are encouraged to contact OURF to better publicize their own events. For more information on OCW, visit www.OrangutanCaringWeek.org
Contact:
Gary Shapiro, Ph.D, President
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Orang Utan Republik Foundation
2461 Santa Monica Blvd. #828
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Ph: 310-401-6602; fax: 310-401-6614
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