Five ways you can contribute to orangutan conservation on World Orangutan Day (and every day!)

1. Be a Consumer Conservationist 
Did you know Palm Oil deforestation is the No. 1 threat to orangutans worldwide? Be a consumer conservationist and know which products you use have palm oil. You can check food, cosmetic and toiletry labels and company websites for palm oil information and make sustainably sourced and no palm oil choices to help save orangutan habitats. 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 of orangutans and other species threatened by unsustainable palm oil harvesting practices. We also are on the forefront of saving the critically endangered orangutan population, 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. The birth of a baby orangutan contributes to the biological diversity of a critically endangered species, while our worldwide efforts help sanctuaries and conservationists better protect wild orangutan populations. 

Dr. Vikki with veterinarian Dr. Iman and Area Manager Dhani from the Center for Orangutan Protection in Samarinda.

3. Share your savvy 
Use the hashtags #orangutanday and #palmoil when you share your support for orangutans on your social media sites. You can also share your support for your favorite palm-oil free and sustainably sourced palm oil products. Share your knowledge with your friends so we can all be consumer conservationists together and help save orangutan habitats! 

4. Become a Zoological Society Member 
Zoological Society memberships at the El Paso Zoo have many perks, and contributing to conservation is one of them! The Zoological Society has contributed more than $10,000 to orangutan conservation efforts using funds raised from its membership contributions. 

Mommy Ibu and baby Khaleesi on exhibit

5. Sign your support  
Sentiment without action does not effect change. Sign a petition protecting orangutan habitat or tweet, facebook or write your favorite brand and thank them for their sustainable palm oil practices or encourage them to take up sustainably-sourced palm oil.