DISCOVER THE INCREDIBLE WORLD OF ORANGUTANS
The Malay word orangutan means “person of the forest.” These long-haired, orangish primates, found only in Sumatra and Borneo, are highly intelligent and are close relatives of humans.
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These great apes share 96.4% of our genes and are highly intelligent creatures.They are primarily arboreal, spending most of their time in trees, and are known for their impressive climbing abilities.
Why should we care about orangutans? There are many reasons why we must save these extraordinary creatures, our closest relatives.
Orangutans (genus Pongo) consist of three species:
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Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus): Found on the island of Borneo, they are the largest arboreal mammals and are known for their distinctive cheek pads and large size compared to the Sumatran orangutans.
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Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii): Native to the island of Sumatra, these orangutans have longer facial hair and are slightly smaller in size compared to their Bornean counterparts. They are critically endangered, with a population estimated to be less than 14,000 individuals.
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Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis): This is the most recently identified species, discovered in 2017 in the Batang Toru forest of Sumatra. It is the rarest and most endangered orangutan species, with a population of less than 800 individuals. They are distinguished by their distinct vocalizations and genetic differences from the other two species.
The Arboreal
Animal
Orangutans are the biggest arboreal animal, spending most of their time in trees and are distinguished by their characteristic red fur. They can navigate between the branches because of their long, strong arms and grabbing hands and feet. These great apes share 97% of our genes and are highly intelligent creatures.
They build nests in vegetation to sleep in at night and relax during the day. Male orangutans may weigh up to 200 pounds as adults.
Orangutan's Diet
Orangutans mainly eat fruits. Fruit makes up around 60% of an orangutan's diet. They enjoy fleshy, soft fruits especially those that pop up in large crops on their respective trees. Although primarily frugivorous, orangutans do consume a large variety of food that include leaves, young shoots, flowers, epiphytes, wood pith and tree barks (Galdikas, 1988).
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Orangutans favour a fruit called durians. Durians are covered in sharp spines and have a pungent smell. Orangutans get water from a variety of sources, including tree holes and leaves that fill with the water during rainy season.
Mothers teach their babies to learn what food to eat and which trees to find and in what seasons. During this exploration, they help the regeneration of rainforest vegetation by spreading seeds far from parents trees.
Alpha Male Orangutan
When it comes to orangutan physiology, there are two types of males: flanged and unflanged. All orangutan males look similarly in childhood but due to an increase in testosterone during sexual maturation, some males develop secondary sexual characteristics such as large cheek pads and a laryngeal throat pouch, giving them the name “flanged.”
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Other males do not have such a drastic increase in testosterone and thus do not develop such pronounced secondary sexual characteristics, earning them the name “unflanged.” Flanged male orangutans tend to be much larger, and are generally preferred by females.
Like all great apes, an orangutan has a long lifespan and can live to over 30 years in the wild - many live to 50.
Making Tools
Some orangutans use tools - like sticks to get termites, ants or bees out of tree holes. They have also been observed making a tools when handling prickly fruits or thorny fruits.
During raining or hot season they will use larger leaves as an umbrella.
Threat of Orangutans
Orangutans face several significant threats primarily driven by human activities:
1. Habitat Loss and Deforestation: Orangutans rely on dense tropical rainforests for their survival, but these habitats are being rapidly destroyed and degraded due to logging (legal and illegal), palm oil plantations, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Deforestation not only reduces the available habitat for orangutans but also fragments their populations, making it harder for them to find food and mates.
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2. Illegal Hunting and Capture: Orangutans are sometimes hunted for their meat, despite being protected by law in most countries. Infants are also captured for the illegal pet trade, with many dying during capture or transit, and those that survive often face a life of captivity.
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3. Conflict with Humans: As their natural habitat shrinks, orangutans increasingly come into contact with human settlements and agricultural areas. This can lead to conflicts where orangutans are seen as pests and may be harmed or killed by humans protecting their crops or homes.
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4. Climate Change: Climate change poses a threat to orangutans indirectly through its impact on their forest habitats. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns can alter forest ecosystems and affect the availability of fruit and other food sources that orangutans rely on.
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5. Poaching and Illegal Trade: Orangutans are sometimes targeted by poachers for their body parts, which are used in traditional medicine or sold as trophies. Despite legal protections, enforcement is often inadequate, allowing illegal trade to persist.
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Conservation efforts are crucial to addressing these threats and ensuring the long-term survival of orangutans. Efforts include habitat protection and restoration, sustainable land-use practices, law enforcement to combat illegal activities, community engagement and education, and advocacy for stronger policies and regulations.