Find uplifting stories about heroes, innovations, and solutions
5006 results for "orangutan conservation"
A Sumatran orangutan rescued as an infant 17 years ago just gave birth in the wild, proving conservation programs can bring endangered species back from the brink. Wenda's baby girl represents hope for one of the world's most threatened great apes.
A conservation app in Indonesian Borneo is paying everyday citizens to photograph wildlife, turning forest walks into paying jobs while collecting 175,000 wildlife records in just one year. Some observers now earn more than traditional full-time workers.
Dr. Birutė Galdikas spent nearly 50 years studying orangutans in Borneo when everyone said it was impossible, transforming how we understand great apes. Her legacy, alongside fellow "Trimates" Jane Goodall and Dian Fossey, inspired generations of scientists and conservationists worldwide.
Rescue centers across Borneo are teaching orphaned orangutans the survival skills their murdered mothers never could, preparing them for life back in the wild. These forest schools offer hope for one of the world's most endangered apes.
%2Fhttps%3A%2F%2Ftf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com%2Ffiler_public%2Ff4%2F4f%2Ff44ff302-6a20-43aa-a93a-f1f3f31b0ea6%2Fscreenshot_2026-04-28_at_123916.png)
For the first time ever, a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan was filmed using a rope bridge built over a busy road in North Sumatra. The simple solution proves wildlife and human development can coexist.
A critically endangered Bornean orangutan gave birth to a healthy baby boy at Madrid Zoo in early April, offering new hope for a species on the brink. Mother Surya is caring for her fourth offspring with what keepers call "exemplary" devotion.
After two years of waiting, conservationists captured a wild Sumatran orangutan using a canopy rope bridge to safely cross a jungle road for the first time. This breakthrough could help save the critically endangered species from genetic isolation and vehicle collisions.
After nearly a decade of stalled progress, Nepal is handing over its ambitious new mega zoo to the country's leading wildlife conservation organization. The National Trust for Nature Conservation brings 30 years of zoo management experience to turn the long-frozen dream into reality.
A global study of 32 wildlife projects reveals a powerful truth: when women have real leadership roles, conservation efforts succeed at significantly higher rates. From Australia to Africa, women's unique knowledge is proving essential for protecting endangered species.
From rescued gorillas to thousands of baby flamingos, this week delivered remarkable proof that protecting nature pays off. These success stories span continents and species, reminding us that conservation efforts are saving wildlife right now.
Eastern Uganda is getting its first wildlife education center, bringing lions, zebras, and conservation learning to communities that have never had easy access before. The new Mbale zoo opens June 12 after a careful animal relocation from Entebbe.
A new research vehicle is powering South Africa's first national leopard survey, giving scientists the tools to protect one of Africa's most elusive big cats. The project brings together conservation groups and local sponsors to gather critical data that will guide leopard protection for decades.
Dr. Robert Aruho, who grew Kenya's critically endangered Mountain Bongo population to over 100 animals, will now lead worldwide efforts to save more than 90 antelope species. His appointment puts African conservation expertise at the forefront of global wildlife recovery.
An off-road racing event in Kenya just raised $2.8 million to protect the mountain forests that provide water for millions. President Ruto pledged an additional $1.5 million over two years to support the conservation work.
Once down to just 30 individuals, Amur leopards have rebounded to 130 thanks to protected wildlife corridors. Five other species show similar recovery signs as targeted conservation efforts prove successful worldwide.
India's endangered dugong population has hit 270 along Tamil Nadu's coast, marking a rare conservation victory for one of the ocean's most vulnerable creatures. The Wildlife Institute of India calls it "big news" after years of focused protection efforts.
Before dawn breaks over India's forests, naturalists are already reading pugmarks and bird calls to prepare for the day ahead. These forest interpreters bridge the gap between tourism and conservation, often starting their careers as children growing up near the wild.
After two years of careful observation, a critically endangered Sumatran orangutan became the first of its species to cross an artificial canopy bridge over a busy Indonesian road. The crossing reconnects 350 orangutans split between two forest habitats.
A pioneering scientist who spent 50 years studying orangutans in the jungles of Borneo has passed away, leaving behind one of conservation's most remarkable legacies. Birutė Galdikas didn't just observe these critically endangered apes—she helped save hundreds of them while protecting the forests they call home.
A global study of 32 wildlife projects across five continents reveals a powerful pattern: conservation efforts succeed best when women have real leadership roles. From protecting snow leopards in Mongolia to restoring turtle populations in Central America, women aren't just helping conservation work—they're making it work better.
Showing 20 of 5006