Orangutan rehabilitation centers in Borneo and Sumatra rescue orphaned individuals and prepare them for forest release, but the process takes years and release sites are shrinking.
Orphaned orangutans separated from their mothers at young ages suffer developmental trauma that requires expert rehabilitation. The long dependency period means that individuals must learn complex foraging, nest-building, and social skills that would normally be taught by mothers over many years. Released individuals face predation risks, territory competition with established wild orangutans, and disease exposure. Sanctuary orangutans unable to be released face lifelong captivity that requires rich, stimulating environments given their high cognitive needs. The welfare burden of the pet trade and deforestation that creates sanctuary populations is enormous and ultimately preventable.