Welcome to jungle school—where orphaned orangutans are learning the basics for survival that they will need for life in the wild. Here at Orangutan Information Centre (OIC) in Northern Sumatra, vets and biologists are rehabilitating orangutans who have been confiscated from the illegal pet trade. Once they have mastered the basics of climbing, building nests and finding food, the aim is that they will one day be returned to the wild. The Sumatran orangutan was once found throughout the island of Sumatra’s lowland forests. But due to decades of habitat loss, poaching and conflict killings they have experienced an estimated population decline of over 80% in the last 75 years. Sanctuaries in Sumatra like OIC are working on the frontlines of conservation, to give these rescued orangutans a second chance at life.This article was originally published on Mongabay

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