This Mother’s Day You Can Help Thousands of Orphaned Baby Orangutans!

This Mothers’ Day, the Greater Sacramento Chapter American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) will host its annual Missing Orangutan Mothers, otherwise known as MOMs, fundraiser at the Sacramento Zoo

The MOM campaign is a way in which the New York-based nonprofit organization Orangutan Outreach can positively bring to light the growing plight orangutans face in the wild. These red apes are seeing their homes slashed and burned on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra to make way for the creation of palm oil plantations. Palm oil is used in a multitude of household products from food to cosmetics, and its demand continues to grow because of its universal uses.

Orangutans are solitary animals in the wild. Mothers raise their young on their own, creating a very close relationship between infant and mother. If something happens to the mother, the infant lacks a support network to learn basic survival skills, such as finding food or building nests. Because of the growing demand for palm oil, the plantations are continuously expanding, imperiling all orangutans and other wildlife. This often leads to orphaned orangutan youngsters being taken in by rescue and rehabilitation centers in the region. Working with organizations like the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme and others, Orangutan Outreach is able to provide care for more than 1,000 orangutan orphans!

The Greater Sac AAZK, in conjunction with the Sacramento Zoo, will host a book and bake sale across from the Sumatran Orangutan exhibit this Mother’s Day, May 11 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Orangutan Outreach. To accompany the effort, Purses for Primates will also be in front of the zoo. Purses for Primates is a Northern California-based nonprofit organization founded by Allie Boyer. Boyer, a youth with passion, collects gently used purses, scarves and jewelry to resell and all raised funds benefit Orangutan Outreach as well.

You can help support these worthwhile causes by visiting the Sacramento Zoo and checking out AAZK’s book and bake sale. Also score a bargain and help orangutans by visiting Boyer at her booth. And don’t forget, you can help protect wild orangutans every day by avoiding the use of products that contain palm oil or by purchasing only products that contain certified sustainable palm oil.

The Greater Sac AAZK Chapter is a chartered member of the nationally based American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK). It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization comprised of keepers and docents at the Sacramento Zoo who work to promote awareness and raise funds for conservation programs as well as support professional development of its members.

Article by Sacramento Zoo Keeper Matt