Species Spotlight: Orangutan

Orangutan and baby

Questions and Answers

Why is orangutan habitat disappearing?
Their habitat is fast disappearing to make way for oil palm plantations and other agricultural plantations, as well as for poorly planned infrastructure projects.

Where do orangutans live?
Borneo and Sumatra.

How many species of orangutans are there?
Three - Sumatran, Bornean, Tapanuli, which is a third species of orangutan recognized in November 2017. With no more than 800 individuals in existence, the Tapanuli orangutan is the most endangered of all great apes.

  • Orangutan

    Habitat

    Orangutans are found only in the lowland forests of Borneo and Sumatra in Southeast Asia.

  • Sumatran Orangutan

    Diet

    Fruit makes up 60 percent of the orangutan's diet.

  • Sumatran Orangutan

    Threats

    In addition to habitat destruction and fragmentation, wildlife trade threatens the orangutan’s long-term survival.

  • A close-up view of a large male Bornean orangutan sits in the treetops looking at the camera

    Interesting Fact

    Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammals, spending most of their time in trees and using their long limbs to grasp and glide with ease among branches.

Learn more about orangutans

 

2023 Species Spotlight

 

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