Illegal gold mining is rapidly destroying a vital orangutan refuge in Indonesia’s Jantho forest reservation. Over the past three years, miners have breached approximately fourteen hectares of the protected area, directly impacting the habitat of critically endangered Sumatran orangutans undergoing rehabilitation. These orangutans were previously rescued from the illegal wildlife trade and rely on the forest for their recovery. Conservationists are urgently calling for government intervention to halt the encroachment and protect the vulnerable species. The mining operations are also causing significant environmental damage, with toxic runoff polluting the Krueng Aceh River. This pollution poses a serious threat to the health of local communities and the wider ecosystem. The situation demands immediate action to safeguard both the orangutans and the environment.