In Indonesia, orangutan capture, killing, harm (injury or harassment) and trade (possession, sale, purchase, exchange or barter) have been banned since 1932. These crimes are subject to maximum penalties of five years imprisonment and fines of IDR 100 million (the equivalent of approximately $7000 USD), but sentencing is generally lenient. Illegal killing and trade have been consistently identified as significant threats to orangutans for more than 50 years. In Indonesia, orangutans are killed opportunistically for bushmeat, as a pre-emptive step to prevent crop foraging or interaction with humans (or in retaliation for the same), and to obtain infants as pets. Obtaining dependent infant orangutans nearly always necessitates killing of the mother. Orangutans have been popular as pets in Indonesia for several decades – a situation that persists today. According to an academic study of wildlife crime, enforcement and deterrence patterns in Indonesia, the most prevalent interventions to address illegal activity related to orangutans – education and handovers of illegally held animals – have not seen an associated decline in relevant crimes. The authors argue that these tactics alone therefore appear insufficient to address orangutan-related crimes and, instead, substantial increases in patrols, investigations, arrests, and convictions, as well as community-focused solutions are urgently needed to halt the killing of and trade in orangutans.