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Borneo Orangutan

Little resilience in the face of logging and fire

Common Name: Bornean orangutan; Orangoutan de Borneo(Fr); Orangután de Borneo(Sp)

Scientific Name: Pongo pygmaeus

Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests

Location: Borneo

Population: Central Bornean = 38,000; NW Bornean = 3,000

Background

The Bornean orangutan is now recognized as a different species from its Sumatra relative. Three subspecies are recognized: Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus, P.p. morio, and P. p. wurmbii, the most common Bornean subspecies. Although extensive, the latter's habitat is increasingly fragmented in the remaining swamp and lowland dipterocarp forests of Central and West Kalimantan.

It is estimated that about one third of Borneo's orangutan populations were lost during the 1997/98 forest fires. On the Indonesian side of Borneo, populations of this subspecies are not faring well either.

Although some populations live inside protected areas, illegal logging still takes place within these area and hence remains a major threat to the survival of this species.

Habitat

Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests

Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan

Range States
Indonesia, Malaysia

Geographical Location
Borneo

Ecological Region
Borneo Lowland and Montane Forests

Endemism

Borneo.

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Danger Watch

A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More

Extinct

No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
Extinct in the Wild

Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.
Critically Endangered

Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Endangered

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Near Threatened

Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
Least Concern

Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened