Tiny Chips, Big Impact: How Microchips Help Save Orangutans

Orangutan microchip scanner.

This small device, about the size of a grain of rice, plays a big role in helping us protect and care for orangutans. The microchip is safely placed under the skin between the orangutans shoulder blades. 

Why are microchips so important? 

If an orangutan is ever found again after being released–maybe it’s injured, lost or in danger–the microchip helps us know exactly who the orangutan is. With a quick scan, we can see their full medical history, rescue story, and everything we need to give them the best care. 

We also microchip orangutans who are rescued from dangerous areas. They are given a field health check, and immediately moved to safer forests. This is especially important in high-risk areas, like the coal mines of East Kalimantan. Right now, our teams are working hard to rescue over 20 trapped orangutans. 

Rescued orangutans from the coal mines having their microchips implanted during their health checks, before being released into safe forest.

A big THANK YOU to Microchips Australia

We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Microchips Australia, for generously donating microchips to make these life-saving efforts possible. Thanks to their support, every orangutan we rescue has a better chance at a safe and healthy future in the wild.