About Us

50+ Years in The Field

Established in 1986 by Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas, OFI supports the conservation, protection, and understanding of orangutans and their rainforest habitat in Borneo, while caring for and rehabilitating ex-captive orangutans for release back into the wild. Our work includes: orangutan rescue, rehabilitation, and repatriation; habitat protection, acquisition, and restoration; and conservation outreach, education, and scientific research. We have protected 1.5 million acres of rainforest habitat, and saved hundreds of captive and orphaned orangutans from death or a dire life in captivity-giving them a second in the wild.

OFI works in cooperation with the Indonesian government and communities in Borneo to expand national parks, establish reserves, buy and safeguard land, and replant degraded forest areas to create permanently-protected orangutan habitat. We raise awareness about the plight of orangutans and other wildlife species through local and global outreach and education programs.

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Picture of Proudfoot, an orphaned orangutan
Foster Parent Program
Proudfoot Story

"Most of the orphaned orangutans who arrive at the Orangutan Care Center and Quarantine (OCCQ) are at first shy and bewildered. It takes time for the caregivers to earn their trust and to give the newly arrived orangutan orphans their self-esteem back. Not so with Proudfoot. Despite the circumstances in which she arrived at the care center as a recently orphaned infant, Proudfoot was and is a healthy orangutan developing apace. The moment she was brought to the infant nursery, Camp Danielle, it was all the caregivers could do to contain her energy and enthusiasm for life. The caregivers were instantly taken with this precious, precocious baby. One cannot help but be transfixed by her dark liquid-pool eyes or admire her thick hair that glows in the sunlight with a fine russet hue"

Why Foster an orangutan?

By becoming an Orangutan Foster Parent, you will help care for the displaced and orphaned orangutans at the OFI Care Centre and Quarantine (OCCQ) facility, during their rehabilitation back to the wild. As a Foster Parent you will contribute to providing the medical, dietary and emotional care that the orangutans need to thrive. Your foster purchase is also tax-deductible and you will be sent an official tax acknowledgment letter from OFI.

Our latest news from the field

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Passing of OFI Board Member and Hollywood Legend: Norman Lear

February, 1 2024


Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) is greatly saddened by the passing of Norman Lear, a legendary television and film producer and writer, as well as longtime friend of OFI. Norman was 101 years old when he died at home on December 5, 2023. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones. Several years…

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Los Angeles based Orangutan Foundation International becomes the home of the World Biological Corridor in North America

December, 17 2023


Sometimes you encounter a person with a vision. While Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) President Dr. Biruté Mary Galdikas was in Spain as the keynote speaker at the Congress for Social Communication of Science in Burgos in 2019, she and a representative of OFI Canada, Ruth Linsky, were approached by Jorge Extramiana for a collaboration with…

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Fall Appeal 2023

September, 24 2023


Dear Friends of OFI, The babies need our help! Each day, thousands of acres of tropical rain forests are clear‐cut, burned, and reduced to ash. The scorched earth, once home to variegated wildlife, becomes a deafeningly silent monoculture plantation. Wild orangutans who once roamed these now stricken ashen landscapes are starving, their deaths often carried…

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Fall - Winter Appeal 2022

November, 22 2022


For the last 51 years, Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) has been working to save orangutans and their endangered tropical rain forest habitat. Without forest, wild orangutans cannot survive. During the past years we have made tremendous progress protecting wild populations of orangutans and forests in Borneo. But it is not enough! Unfortunately, in many ways…

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IN MEMORIAM: Orangutan 1978 - 2021 SISWI Much Loved!

September, 26 2022


It is with a heavy heart that we share the news that Siswi, arguably Orangutan Foundation International’s (OFI) most famous and beloved orangutan, passed away towards the end of 2021 after a short illness. Siswi was 43 years old and it was 43 years filled with as much drama, comedy and tragedy that any of…

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Bear of the Year: HILDA A Big Bear with a Big Personality

July, 26 2022


An urgent call, a life on the line. Dr. Galdikas took the call in Pasir Panjang, Central Indonesian Borneo.This is how Hilda’s involvement with OFI came to pass. Since OFI took in its first sun bear, Desi in 2008, it was almost inevitable that more would follow. In 2012 an informant tipped off OFI that…

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