Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Dorothy, Nebraska — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:58:59 GMT

Mr. Singleton is performing valuable work on behalf of future generations; everyone deserves to see and enjoy these lovely creatures, including the children of tomorrow. Thank you Ian Singleton and Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Richard Zimmerman, New York, New York — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 14:02:25 GMT

Thank you for mentioning this orangutan news on MSNBC!

Orangutans are critically endangered in the wild. To learn more about them and see how you can help protect them please visit the Orangutan Outreach website.

Adopt an orangutan today!

Richard Zimmerman
Director, Orangutan Outreach
http://redapes.org
Reach out and save the orangutans!
Facebook Cause: http://causes.com/redapes

PS-- Hi Keith and Rachel. The orangutans need you!!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Lisa, San Diego, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:00:12 GMT

Stop buying products sodium laureath sulfate and palm oil! We need these animals for our own survival!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Kristen L Scott, Seattle WA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:24:57 GMT

"Green" products are only "green" if they have no or low impact on the environment. America's hunger to be "green" is resulting in millions of acres of rainforest and wetlands being plowed down to start palm oil, bamboo and other "environmentally friendly" products. Obvioulsy, this results in the loss of habitat for all of natures creatures. Educate yourself before buying. People need to look through the marketing and research just exactly what it is they are buying.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Ma — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:31:05 GMT

I am so glad there are people like Mr. Singleton out there. Can somebody educate the villagers that the orang utans will be extinct and that they're like humans too?

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

kathy lakewood colorado — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:34:27 GMT

this story and so many others about animals we are displacing and killing just breaks my heart it so nice to read and see that there are caring humans to try to conunteract the damge done by those with no sense of how to treat our resources including the animals that are among us. God bless them all

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Heidi Rivera-Merrill, Fayetteville, North Carolina — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:38:09 GMT

One more beautiful animal that deserves a peaceful exsistence without the human race destroying it. Thank goodness there are people that truly care enough to attempt to make a difference! Thank you!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Pam, Charlotte, NC — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:41:19 GMT

What a great article. I am so glad to see the plight of these beautiful animals brought to light. I hope Mr. Singleton will be able to continue to help these animals live a safe and free life. They are not PETS they are wild animals and should be left in the wild, unharmed.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Megan, Walnut Creek, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:50:10 GMT

There are many cottage industry soap-makers who use responsibly harvested, sustainably grown palm oil in their products. By cutting off purchases of all products with palm oil, you damage small industries who are trying to do their part to help the orangutans keep their homes. Just be educated about the products you use and where the ingredients come from and if you're uncertain about an ingredient, ask the manufacturer. If they give you the run around then shop elsewhere.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Suzy White, Tampa, FL — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:52:09 GMT

I hope all of their wonderful work is not for nothing. This land and these amazing animals should be protected. The loggers and farmers are going to continue causing their demise and encroaching on their land. The source of this problem needs to be fixed. What is wrong with everyone, we are all here sharing this one earth.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Linda Hollywood florida — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:56:13 GMT

To bad we cannot do something about the deforestation that is happening in most of the habitat needed for orangs. When I went to Borneo a few years ago upon landing I could not see any forest left standing. There was miles and miles of palm oil trees and no natural forest. Then when going to the river is when you encounter all the OLD trees that had been logged. Miles and miles up the river we went to see the forest lying in the river floating down to the lumber yards. Very sad to see this site.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Gloria Belmain Brush, colorado — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:56:29 GMT

Orangutans have always been a favorite of mine. Bless their hearts. So cute and sweet and people take them away from their Moms. Thank you for all your good work and hug one of those little ones for me.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Richard Ruiz,Alexandria,Virginia — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:16:19 GMT

we all cheer the efforts to save the arangutans,we praise the people involve not knowing how much time,dedication and money it takes to do this work,lets all help financially this organization,please give us an address so we all can help this wonderfull organization.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Lydia, San Clemente, CA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:17:01 GMT

Awesome article...
So sad that people are so insensitive and disrespectful to wildlife creatures... We need more education; we need to understand that keeping wildlife as wild as it come is only for our own benefit...

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Kevin Gill Palm Harbor FL — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:17:49 GMT

I just love Orangs! Of course, I've only ever seen them on TV or in a Zoo, but they are extremely intelligent and emotional creatures. Animal Planet has a show called Orangutan Island and it's a blast to watch. Just the way they set up their society is amazing. My only personal encounter with an Orangutan was at the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa FL. I stopped by their habitat which was surrounded by a waist high wall with the Orangs below in proximity to the wall and one decided he wanted to play tug of war with me with a Palm Frond. He came over and reached it up to me so, I took the end and he had the other and we just tugged back and forth. Of course, he always won, but as soon as he did, he would reach it up again for me to try again. You could tell he was enjoying it immensely, as was I. So, that's as close as I'll ever get, but it certainly heightened my appreciation of their personalities. They are amazing creatures and need to be saved. Human greed and indifference is going to destroy our planet and all the wonderous things in it. Stop the destruction of the Rain Forest!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Wendy, Canton, Ohio — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:24:31 GMT

Thank you Mr. Singleton for helping the Orangutan. It is terrible what they have gone through and it is a shame that there are such heartless people in the world that would kill a mother (or any animal for that matter). I wish there were more people like you in the world!!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

bOb — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:29:55 GMT

Save the humans!!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Cathy, Morrison, CO — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:42:44 GMT

It is heartbreaking to know that these beautiful creatures, in most cases, had to witness the murder of their mothers. They deserve to live their beautiful lives in peace. Please keep up the good fight for their lives.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

leemac Phoenix, Az. — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:44:12 GMT

Orangutans are smarter than most give them credit for..I have read they can be taught to drive a tractor better than most people...and are far more reliable farm help too. Too bad they just can't defend themselves...but they live where life is of little value most times...and that goes for human life as well...

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Denise L. Moore — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:14:25 GMT

One big IF, is people are the ones that cause the demand and then ultimately the supply of the things that destroy vital animal habitats. Humans need to realize that their actions have consequences, until then no anount of conservation will save us or the animlas. Coexist

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Jen, Pennsylvania — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:31:58 GMT

Check out the Orangutan Camera at the National Zoo in DC. Guaranteed to make your day!

http://nationalzoo.si.edu/Animals/ThinkTank/

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

mike, denver co — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:39:36 GMT

Bob, there are already enough humans running around.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Shirley, Texas — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 18:55:34 GMT

Why can't some pressure be placed on the Indonesian government to protect the animals? We don't have to buy their products or take vacations there. Boycott their products and their vacation spots until the government takes action against the illegal loggers and the churlish farmers. The farmers who kill orangs should go to jail for a serious amount of time. Orangs are endangered; human beings are not. The organs are more important, IMO.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Bj — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:18:46 GMT

If you have not seen Orangutang Island on Animal Planet you are missing a great show. I fell in love with the Orangs as a result. You can also go to redapes.org and buy the 1st season DVD. It will not disappoint you. Proceeds also go to saving the Orangs!!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Paul V. Battaglia — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:21:45 GMT

Our planet is doomed. I doubt if our nation (America) can or will actually and truly attempt to reverse the needs and comforts to which we have been accustomed. I can also say this for many other countries. I have no anger toward my country or anyone else, but have accepted our almost guaranteed demise. Yes, by all means, do your individual part everyday to save, save, save, but do not be misled into believing we can halt worldwide destructive habits. Those timelines have come and gone, but the public could never handle that sort of truth.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Patti Doyle — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:27:28 GMT

why doesnt a govenment introduce a payment/salary
for saving this wonderful creatures instead of destroying them? They need to be educated, it is more
profitable to keep them alive.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Jane, Seattle, WA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:37:48 GMT

Loving the orangutans is not enough. Please also donate to the cause either to the orangutans or to protect the remaining forests that they live in! Even if you can only donate a little bit, it will help.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Marie-Claude Blais, Iqaluit, Nunavut,Canada — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:01:31 GMT

WOW..I am so pleased MSNBC printed this story...Congradulations and please keep printing more such stories...the more people are aware the more they can act...I had no idea palm oil was a problem until a few weeks ago...yur great reporting will make other people aware....thanks again.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

John Lewis — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:02:52 GMT

As many have voiced here, I applaud Mr. Singleton's efforts. However, the sad truth is that increasing human populations are the main and inadvertant problem. Space for all the creatures of the earth is quickly diminishing in the wake of human "need". What humans need to do is to consciously apply their will to stopping the insistent call of what was a natural process of the past: reproduction of the species. This is not, on the whole a very easy process, and worldwide, is very daunting, considering the support that bearing human children has on almost all sides. But humanity needs to curb its inclination to this fundamental survival instinct of itself and go beyond it to the survival of the world. Just think how the arts have glamorized the sexual process. And think how we yearn toward the "innocence of children". We have been given the great assumption of holding the production of more babies as one of the greatest of gifts. But I tell you that if you are on this earth, the production of so many children will be the one natural disaster that will have no result but the total sterilization of a once fertile world. If each individual does not take a personal responibility for their own actions or take active steps to reject, or at least curb, sexual practices that bring about new human life, then the only other option is to leave this Earth, and travel on elsewhere. But then that will be like using the world as Pampers - using the world for our selfish purposes and then throwing it away. I implore the human populatin to do more than this: take the old dictates of human nature and reject them. Only by doing this is there any chance that all creatures will have a home. To do otherwise, even with the best intentions for the animals of the world (and the forest homes where many live), is at best a holding action.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Sarah, Fairfax, VA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:11:40 GMT

I think it's important to understand that industrialized nations went through their destructive phase a long time ago, and now that we're prosperous, we expect undeveloped nations to jump from 3rd world to industrialized without going through the destructive phase. It's not impossible, in my opinion, but it's incredibly difficult. The loggers and the farmers aren't "churlish" - try telling a poor farmer with a family that an orangutan is more important than feeding his children. It's awfully simple for us to make these comments about the people of less-developed nations like they're barbarians, but we forget that before we were a superpower, we were slaughtering bison, wolves, coyotes, fur animals like beavers, and many more. Boycotting Indonesia is NOT the answer - it will keep these people in poverty FOREVER, and they will continue to kill wildlife and destroy habitat out of desperation. Instead, if we create incentives for sustainable practices, we will make it more financially attractive to preserve nature than to destroy it.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Rob, Palmer, Alska — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 20:31:29 GMT

Thanks for the great story! It's nice to read about someone doing something good for wildlife amidst all of the the news concerning the recession and pirate attacks...

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Donna Doohen, Sioux City, IA — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:35:58 GMT

I am sick of people disrepecting other life and even more sick of those same people always bringing up caring for more for humans as being more important.Animals are not destroying the lands and oceans, we are. Animals do not have a voice, humans do.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Debbie Reek, San Jose, California — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 21:41:10 GMT

It warms me to know so many others feel like I do and are absolutely pained by the suffering of these creatures. If only I could be there to help hands-on; however, if I can't - I will most definitely cue into the web to adopt an orang, and do what I can from so far to help. (P.S. I had NO idea about the palm oil and bamboo being such a harm to the extinction of the rain forest. Thanks for the info! Education is the key to the continued existence of these creatures.) ...and thank you for all those who are on site and do such hard (yet rewarding work, I'm sure) for the orangutans. From all who care so very much - thanks.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

D.Gaffney — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:25:33 GMT

I feel so sad to see Orangutan mothers being killed for there little babies.How would a human mother like to be killed off just to take there baby?I don't think so.Any animal killed for there babies and or fur isn't right.And Americans here need to boycot any products that were made by killing off those beautful animals.Just so thoses people can make money.All because of this going green thing.And as far as people keeping wild animals as pets should be outlawed.Theres enough domesticated animals here that need loveing homes.Why take a wild animal and try to make it into a house pet.I know little baby monkeys , orangutans and chimpanzees are so cuite .But just think how there caught .There monthers are killed in front of the babies.Then people try to raise them like babies.But when they grow up there no longer wanted.Because there no longer cuite.And the poor animal is no longer wanted.Then who knows what happens to them.?There killed or put in a cage.Untill some one takes them and tries to help them get back to the wild.And like someone else said anyone who kills them should be jailed.Just the same way if a person kills another person.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Leslie, Bend OR — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:43:51 GMT

Ma, the Indonesian villagers already know their orang utans are like people -- just look at the name -- "Orang" (people) + "utan" (forest). Orang utan means "forest people." Indonesia is a financially, environmentally, and sometimes politically battered nation -- often, survival of its people comes at a high cost, but is not taken lightly, not by casual choice. We (western world) don't make it easy for them either -- we set up trade agreements for products like palm oil that destroy their environment, then blame them for destroying their environment.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Nicole Garcia, West Hartford Ct — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 00:11:14 GMT

We need to save the orangutans!!! Thank you everyone for caring!! Don't be afraid to talk the orangutans and the devastation thats occurring in their forests!!!!! Knowledge is power!

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Digby Clarke, Victoria, BC — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:41:43 GMT

Stay away from Palm oil, a known carcinogin. It is used in many products from the Far East, as it is cheap. Coconut oil is just as bad. If looking for cancer to kill you, help yourself.
This issue is not about plantations, it is about weak and corrupt government, supported by the military, and where the public has no politic strength or influence.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

Amy Holtwick, Kansas City, MO — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:18:34 GMT

Great article! I applaud Mr. Singleton and all the keepers for thier work at the rescue center in Medan, North Sumatra. We need more people who will dedicate themselves to saving these precious orangs. It is up to us to save these beautiful animals for generations to come.

Finding a home for orangutan 'refugees'

David Ebert — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:10:04 GMT

It seems so cruel, to have to release these little children into the wild, facing unknown dangers, to starve. Once they have been "humanized", they no longer have the skills to live in the trees. A keeper climbing a tree is no substitute for a mom. They need three years of 24/7 education. Are there stats on survival rates?