Orangutans, with their soulful eyes and gentle nature, have captured our hearts and minds for generations. In our new film, Secret Lives of Orangutans, we provide an intimate glimpse into the intricate inner lives of these magnificent apes.

The plight of orangutans is widely known. Habitat loss across their range has left the Sumatran orangutan population at around 14,000 and steadily declining. While there have been many films focussing on conservation and the threats orangutans face, Huw Cordey, the Director and Producer of Secret Lives of Orangutans wanted this project to be different:

“My goal was to spotlight the complexity of orangutan society and behaviour, revealing just how remarkable these creatures are. After all, it’s hard to truly care about something you don’t understand. My hope is that Secret Lives of Orangutans offers audiences a deeper appreciation for wild orangutans, as they’ve never seen them before.”

Helen Buckland, CEO of the Sumatran Orangutan Society said:

“This film is a captivating journey into the heart of the Sumatran rainforest. It is a beautiful portrayal of orangutans’ complex social lives, problem-solving abilities, and emotional depth. The filmmakers have captured stunning sequences of orangutans, alongside shots soaring over the breathtaking landscape, and a glimpse of the myriad biodiversity sharing these forests – give yourself a treat and immerse yourself in this glorious world! I have no doubt that the film will help catalyse more support to keep these magnificent animals thriving in the wild.”

The Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) and their dedicated partners are working on-the-ground in Sumatra – where our documentary was filmed – to protect orangutans and their precious rainforest homes.

Huw shared more about the making of our film in an special interview with Orangutan SOS – read more about their work to protect Sumatra’s Orangutans below…

Why Should We Protect Orangutans?

Orangutans are amazing creatures that deserve protection in their own right. But they also play a crucially important role in maintaining the health and resilience of the rainforests.

As they move through the forest, orangutans eat a variety of fruits and disperse the seeds far and wide. This natural process helps to maintain the diversity of the forest and gives rise to new life throughout the ecosystem. Without orangutans to carry out this vital role, the forest’s ability to regenerate and support a wide range of species would be greatly diminished.

A diverse forest is more resilient to changes and threats, such as disease, climate change, and natural disasters. With many plant species growing together, the loss of one does not lead to the collapse of the entire ecosystem. In this way, orangutans help maintain the delicate balance of life in the rainforest, supporting a web of interconnected species that rely on one another for survival.

How Do We Protect Orangutans?

Orangutans are at risk due to habitat fragmentation and forest degradation. This is primarily caused by human-made barriers, such as farmlands, roads and energy infrastructure. Unless these fragmented forests are protected and reconnected, some of these orangutan populations may disappear altogether.

The key to saving orangutans is preserving their forest home. SOS support their frontline partners in Sumatra to build resilience for orangutans, ecosystems and communities through conservation projects that benefit both people and wildlife. Their approach listens to the needs of local communities, ensuring they have a central role in programme planning and decision-making. Whether it’s creating wildlife corridors between fragmented forests or rewilding areas of degraded habitat, SOS and their partners work tirelessly to secure a flourishing future for wild orangutans.

How You Can Help

SOS has made great strides over the past two decades to protect orangutans and conserve Sumara’s rainforests, but there is still much work to be done.

If you feel inspired by Secret Lives of Orangutans and would like to safeguard the future of wild orangutans, you can support SOS at: www.orangutans-sos.org/get-involved