Orangutans

Orangutans are large, arboreal great apes in the genus Pongo, native to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia. There are three recognized species: the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), and the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis). They have long arms, a shaggy reddish coat, and high intelligence, with behavioral diversity tied to forest canopy life.

Their habitat is tropical rainforest and swamp forest, where they spend most of their lives in the trees. Deforestation, conversion to agriculture (notably palm oil), fires, and fragmentation threaten their ranges and populations.

Socially, orangutans are among the most solitary of the great apes. Mothers rear offspring for several years, with a clear mother–infant bond. Adult males may live more solitary lives and develop large cheek pads. They navigate the forest by slow, deliberate suspensory locomotion and long-distance travel between fruiting trees.

Diet is mainly fruit-based, supplemented by leaves, bark, insects, and honey. They are important seed dispersers and exhibit sophisticated foraging behaviors. Orangutans have been observed using tools in the wild, such as sticks to extract insects or to test fruit ripeness, and to gather nest-building materials.

Reproduction is slow; females give birth about once every seven to nine years in the wild, after a gestation of around eight months. Infants rely on their mothers for several years before independence.

Conservation status: All three species are threatened. The IUCN lists Bornean and Sumatran orangutans as Endangered, and the Tapanuli orangutan as Critically Endangered. Population trends are downward, with estimates in the tens of thousands for Borneo and Sumatra and only a few hundred to a few thousand for Tapanuli. Primary threats are habitat loss, fragmentation, hunting, and illegal trade. Conservation measures include protected areas, habitat restoration, anti-poaching efforts, and rehabilitation programs.