Oran Utan Republik Foundation Raises Funds To Protect The Sumatran Orangoutangs

The population of Sumatran Orangoutangs has been cut in half over the last 17 years, while their natural habitat has been devastated by deforestation due to the greed of Palm Oil Plantation owners.  The Orangoutang in danger of being the first great ape to become extinct in the wild.

Deforestation & Palm Oil by Films4

The rapid decline in the Orangoutang population is a direct result of deforestation and the illegal poaching of the species by criminals to sell as pets.  There is a frightening demand for young Orangoutangs for pets across the world, despite the fact that owning, capturing, or killing these animals is illegal.  Often, to capture a baby ape, its mother must be killed, and without the mother, the dependent babies rarely survive their capture.

Six years ago, The Oran Utan Republlik Foundation was formed to  combat this disgusting trend and to help protect the Orangoutang population.  This August, Debi Derryberry (the voice of of TV's Jimmy Neutron) hosted a fund raising event at her home, to increase awareness of the foundation, and the primates' plight.  Over 200 guests attended, including Emmy award winning actor and activist, Ed Begley, Jr.; the legendary Door's drummer, John Densmore; Super 8's Gabriel Basso; weatherman Fritz Coleman; and SpongeBob Squarepants, in real life, the delightful Tom Kenney.

St. Elsewhere's Ed Begley, Jr,. a dedicated 

activist for the foundation and other worthwhile 

causes, hosted the event

Fritz Coleman interviewed Gabriel Basso

ONEHOONEHOPE Foundation CEO, Jake Kloberdanz made an impassioned plea for

each of us to join the movement and  make a change

Voice artist Debi Derryberry aka Jimmy Neutron welcomed guests

 to her beautiful home for the fundraiser

The Doors John Densmore played drums 

and encouraged the guests to join in the singing

Tom Kenney aka Spongebob Squarepants 

made 12 year old Oliver Peake's night! 

A check for $8K was given to the Foundation

Gary Shapiro, President and Co-Founder of the Orangutan Republik Foundation, 

chats with Fritz Coleman

Christine Peake of the peakPRgroup and Ed Begley, Jr.listen to 

Jake Kloberdanz's speech

The evening consisted of music, Balinese dance,  wonderful treats donated from Nuubia Chocolate, other sponsors included the ONEHope Foundation, smartwater, Honest Tea; and Coca-Cola. Santa Monica's Christine Peake and the peakPRgroup also donated their efforts for the cause.

photos: ACMA photography