Meridian’s #ProtectPongo campaign

Meridian’s #ProtectPongo campaign in conjunction with their charity partner, International Animal Rescue, aims to raise awareness of the harm palm oil is doing to the rainforests of Borneo and inspiring change.

With around 100,000 Bornean orangutans remaining in the wild, Alan Knight from International Animal Rescue explains "Orangutans have long been victims of human abuse through the illegal pet trade and loss of habitat due to deforestation. They are on the path to extinction, as their habitat continues to be destroyed."

Pongo is Meridian’s orangutan ambassador from Borneo, Indonesia, whose home was destroyed to make way for palm oil plantations. He travelled across the UK to find a new home, leaving a trail of artwork everywhere he went to inspire hope & action for his species and to help raise awareness for International Animal Rescue. He started his journey in Glasgow, moving across to Manchester, Birmingham and finally in London where he has found his new home in a disused church which to Pongo was as close to the rainforest as he could find.

Meridian has also launched a new Gingernut Butter to add to their delicious range of palm oil free products and to further support their charity partner. 25p from each jar sold will go to International Animal Rescue for their work rescuing and rehabilitating Bornean orangutans whose rainforest home has been destroyed by deforestation, primarily to make way for palm oil plantations.