International Orangutan Day
International Orangutan Day, also called World Orangutan Day, is held on 19 August to raise awareness of the threats facing orangutans and their forest habitat.
- UK
- USA
- Ireland (not marked)
- Canada (not marked)
- Australia (not marked)
- New Zealand (not marked)
- UAE and Gulf (not marked)
- International
About the day
International Orangutan Day, also known as World Orangutan Day, is observed on 19 August each year. Conservation groups, including those working in Indonesia, use it for public events and awareness campaigns.
In 2026 the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation led commemorations in Indonesia with the country's Ministry of Forestry under the theme "Act for Orangutans: Their Forest, Our Future". It named habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade, forest fires and human and wildlife conflict as ongoing threats. The UK charity Orangutan Foundation has marked the day with community festivals in Central Kalimantan.
It suits zoos and wildlife attractions, conservation charities, ethical and sustainable retailers, ecotourism operators, schools and education providers, and environmental organisations.
Dates for the next three years
| Year | Date | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Thursday 19 August 2027 | UK, USA, International | Same date every year |
| 2028 | Saturday 19 August 2028 | UK, USA, International | Same date every year |
| 2029 | Sunday 19 August 2029 | UK, USA, International | Same date every year |
Sectors this day suits
Types of business that could link their activity to this day.
- Zoos and wildlife attractions
- Conservation charities
- Ethical retail
- Ecotourism
- Education
- Environmental organisations
Questions and answers
When is International Orangutan Day 2027?
International Orangutan Day 2027 is on Thursday 19 August 2027. It falls on the same date every year.
Who organises International Orangutan Day?
International Orangutan Day has no single organiser. Many organisations mark it independently.
Where is International Orangutan Day marked?
International Orangutan Day is marked in the UK and the USA, and internationally.
Where do these details come from?
We checked these details against two sources, including Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation: Act for Orangutans, Their Forest, Our Future, Commemorating World Orangutan Day 2026. They were last checked on 28 October 2026.
Where this information comes from
- Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation: Act for Orangutans, Their Forest, Our Future, Commemorating World Orangutan Day 2026
- Orangutan Foundation: Orangutan Day blog posts
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