13/10/2025
The 2025 Mate's Gift Fundraising Tour crew were honoured to spend a full and eye-opening day at Orangutan Haven, learning from Ian Singleton, and later sharing dinner with him and his wife.
Ian has dedicated his life to orangutans and conservation. He started out as a zookeeper and field researcher, later completing his PhD on Sumatran orangutan behaviour. He went on to establish the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) (SOCP) and has spent decades protecting orangutans and the forests they call home.
Many of us had met some of these same orangutans more than ten years ago, when they were still living in cages at the SOCP quarantine centre. To see them now, free to climb, explore, and rest in their own space surrounded by trees, was genuinely emotional. The Haven is a world away from where they once were, and it’s hard to describe just how moving it is to see the difference.
None of the orangutans at Orangutan Haven will ever return to the wild. Some are blind, others have lost limbs, and others have health conditions that mean they simply wouldn’t survive in the forest. The Haven gives them a safe and dignified life on large, natural islands surrounded by moats, with enrichment, care, and respect at the centre of everything.
The Haven is also a place of learning. Visitors are invited to understand more about conservation, the struggles orangutans face, and the importance of protecting their habitats. The entire site is built with sustainability in mind, bamboo structures, solar power, organic gardens, and nature trails that show what a harmonious balance between people and nature can look like.
The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) is at the heart of orangutan rescue and rehabilitation in North Sumatra. They rescue, rehabilitate, and when possible, release orangutans back into the wild. Those who can’t return live permanently at Orangutan Haven, where they are cared for with love and dignity.
We were lucky enough to hear a talk from Arista Ketaren from SOCP, who generously gave his time to share his knowledge and passion for the work they do. We’re incredibly grateful for his time and the dedication he puts into his role. We’re really looking forward to working with Arista and the SOCP team in the future to support their dog program, helping with vaccinations and sterilisation for the cats and dogs living around the centre to improve animal health and safety for all.
What started as a dream more than a decade ago is now a thriving reality, thanks to Ian, Arista, and the many people and organisations who share their vision. It’s a place built on compassion, dedication, and hope, and we feel so privileged to have spent the day there.
If you’d like to know more about their work, visit:
Orangutan Haven – orangutanhaven.com
Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme – sumatranorangutan.org
