International Orangutan Day is celebrated worldwide on August 19 to encourage people to take action and preserve Orangutans, the critically endangered species. Orangutans are great apes native belonging to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. The name orangutan means 'man of the forest' in Malay. They are known for their distinctive red fur and are the largest arboreal mammal on the planet. Orangutans can now only be found in small, fragmented populations throughout the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. International Orangutan Day aims to promote the conservation of these critically endangered orangutans and encourage the welfare of their habitat. As we celebrate International Orangutan Day 2023, here's all you need to know about the International Orangutan Day 2023 date and the significance of the day.

International Orangutan Day 2023

International Orangutan Day 2023 will be celebrated on Saturday, August 19.

International Orangutan Day Significance

International Orangutan Day is an important day that highlights the need to protect and conserve Orangutans, which are slowly getting endangered. Orangutans have been around for generations and are thought to be the ancestors of gorillas. The primary threats to these orangutans' survival include habitat loss, illegal hunting, poaching, climate change, palm oil plantations, and pet trade, among others.

On International Orangutan Day, several events are held in countries around the world that educate people about the challenges orangutans face and how people can safeguard them. The day encourages people to show love and support for orangutans and inspires people to take action to protect these wild animals!

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 19, 2023 11:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).