Resolve to be Palm Oil Savvy in 2017!

The birth of a Sumatran orangutan is one of the most important conservation achievements in the history of the Zoo!  

Sumatran orangutans are critically endangered worldwide. Maintaining a breeding population in accredited zoos is an integral component to the future of their survival die to the pressure on wild populations. The birth of an orangutan is a huge historic conservation achievement for the Zoo and our community, and an important contribution to the conservation of this endangered species! The El Paso Zoo is one of 27 accredited institutions with Sumatran orangutans. Ibu is one of only 12 females included in the current breeding recommendation of the AZA’s species survival plan for this species.  

The El Paso Zoo has focused on Sumatran orangutan conservation efforts as one of its top priorities over the past 10 years – and you can help too! Here’s five ways you can contribute to orangutan conservation.  

1. Be a consumer conservationist  

Did you know palm oil deforestations in the No. 1 threat to orangutans worldwide? Be a consumer conservationist and know which products you use contain palm oil, and choose brands that only use sustainably-sourced and deforestation-free palm oil, or have no palm oil. You can check food, cosmetic and toiletry labels and company websites for palm oil information so you can make the best product choice to save orangutan habitat. Just by changing one palm oil product in your home, you help save orangutans! 

2. Visit Butch, Ibu and Khaleesi at the El Paso Zoo 

At the El Paso Zoo, we advocate to end deforestation and decimation or orangutans and other species threated by unsustainable palm oil harvesting practices. We are also on the forefront of saving the critically endangered species, both here in El Paso with the birth of Khaleesi, and in Indonesia, by putting boots on the ground to help with conservation efforts around the globe.  

3. Share your savvy 

Use your social media sites to hare your support for orangutans! When you share your knowledge with your friends, we can all be consumer conservationists together and help save orangutan habitats! You can also share you support for your favorite palm oil free and sustainably-sourced and deforestation-free palm oil products on your social media sites.   

To follow Ibu and Khaleesi and get exclusive new information, you can read her mommy blog “Motherhood: A New WILD Life … From Sonogram to Orangutan” at www.ibusmommyblog.com, or follow the Zoo on facebook, twitter, youtube and instagram so you can share your favorite orangutan moments with your friends!  

Happy holidays from your Zoo orangutans!

Because you came to the Zoo, together we were able to help orangutan conservation in Indonesia, supporting the Orangutan Foundation International and the Orangutan Conservancy. Orangutans are critically endangered in the wild. Many conservationists predict that if any of the five species of great apes become extinct in the wild during this century, it will be the Sumatran orangutan. The wild population has declined dramatically by more than 50 percent during the past few decades.

The El Paso Zoo has focused on Sumatran orangutan conservation efforts as one of its top priorities over the past 10 years. The birth of baby Khaleesi was one of the Zoo’s greatest conservation achievements! Have you seen her on exhibit with mommy Ibu?




Did you know the Zoo has helped orangutans in Indonesia and at the Zoo? In recent years, the Zoo has expanded its conservation efforts to include more targeted education programs and a partnership with UTEP that sent Zoo staff to Indonesia to assist with “hands on” orangutan conservation. Two Zoo staff members have visited Indonesia to help with orangutan conservation efforts. Additionally, the fulltime vet staff at the El Paso Zoo is currently contributing to orangutan heart research and orangutan dental research to help save this endangered species in the wild.

Together, we were able to help these conservation efforts in Indonesia and continue our commit to saving orangutans!

Orangutan Foundation International - Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation or orangutans and their rainforest habitat. OFI also supports research on orangutans and forests, education initiatives, both local and international, and brings awareness concerning orangutans. Additionally, OFI runs a research center and rehabilitation center.

Orangutan Conservancy - The Orangutan Conservancy (OC) supports rehabilitation centers in Borneo and Sumatra; funds conservation science; supports Indonesian students through our scholarship program; stages the annual Orangutan Conservancy Veterinary Workshop (OC/OVAG); and promotes orangutans and their conservation plight.

During this season of giving, we want to be sure we thank you for the gift of conservation you help give around the globe! While this is only a small sampling of the conservation efforts we’re helping with, if you didn’t come to the Zoo, round your change up at the Zoo cash registers or support the El Paso Zoological Society, none of this would be possible.

So next time you’re at the Zoo, remember you’re not just having a fun adventure at El Paso’s most-visited family attraction remember you’re helping save wildlife around world! For that, this season, we’re most thankful to you.