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Orangutans
Meet the red "People of the forest"
Common Name: Orangutans; Orangoutans (Fr); Orangutáns (Sp)
Scientific Name: Pongo spp
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Population: Central Bornean approx. 38,000 North West Bornean approx. 3,000 Sumatra approx. 7,500
Background
© WWF-Canon / Michel TERRETTAZ
The lowland forest habitats of this red "man of the forest" are fast disappearing under the chainsaw, or being burned deliberately to make way for agriculture and oil palm plantations. Unless these unique great apes are conserved in well-managed, secure protected areas, and in wider forest landscapes connected by corridors, they may well be facing extinction in the wild.
WWF is working with its partners to secure a future for the orangutan. This will require a broad based approach, not only by providing protection for orangutan populations, but also by fighting to prevent destruction of the species' forest habitat. Action is also needed to stamp out a widespread trade in orangutans as pets. WWF is currently producing an Action Plan to define and prioritise its work on orangutans for the next 10 years.
Physical Description
There are two orangutan species:
- Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii)
- Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)
orangutans are the largest tree-climbing mammal and the only great ape found in Asia.
They have a characteristic ape-like shape, shaggy reddish fur and grasping hands and feet, with very long arms that may reach 2 m in length. Legs are relatively short and weak, but the hands and arms are powerful. Adult males are distinguished by their large size, throat pouch and cheek pads on either side of the face.
Orangutans travel about by moving from one tree to another, avoiding climbing down to the ground. The species moves on "all fours", with the clenched fist placed on the ground. At night they make a nest of vegetation to sleep in, with smaller ones made during the day to rest.
Size
Body length is about 1.25-1.5 m. Adults weigh 30 to 50 kg for females and 50-90 kg for males.
Colour
The fur is reddish brown in colour.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
Indonesia, Malaysia
Ecological Region
Borneo Lowland and Montane Forests, Kinabalu Montane Shrublands, Sundaland Rivers and Swamps
Interesting Facts
Some captive released individuals learned independently to untie complex knots that secured boats and rafts, and then to shove off, board, and ride the vessels across rivers.
Wild orangutans have also been observed making tools to scratch themselves, using leafy branches to shelter under, and using branches for foraging, honey collection etc. Released captive individuals are reported to use sticks for digging, fighting, prying, eating, scratching, and many other purposes.
Danger Watch
A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More
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Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
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Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.
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Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
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Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
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