Orangutans

Orangutans: The Endangered Forest Dwellers

Orangutans are critically endangered, with their population declining by 50% in the last 60 years. Once found as far north as China and as far south as Java, these incredible primates now exist only on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Orangutans: The "People of the Forest

With their distinctive red fur, orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals, spending most of their lives in the forest canopy. Their long, powerful arms and grasping hands and feet allow them to move effortlessly through the branches. These great apes share 96.4% of our DNA and are incredibly intelligent, making them one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom.

The name "orangutan" means "man of the forest" in Malay, reflecting their tree dwelling lifestyle. Living solitary lives in lowland forests, they feast on wild fruits like lychees and figs and drink water from tree holes. At night, they build nests from vegetation to sleep and rest during the day.

Adult males can weigh up to 200 pounds. Some develop large cheek pads, called flanges, and a throat sac for making loud long calls. Uniquely among primates, unflanged males resemble females but can later develop flanges for reasons still not fully understood.

The Three Species of Orangutans

Orangutans are divided into three species

Bornean, Sumatran, and the newly discovered Tapanuli. While all have shaggy red fur, Sumatran orangutans have longer facial hair and stronger social bonds, while Bornean orangutans are more likely to travel on the ground.

Once numbering over 230,000, orangutan populations have drastically declined. Today, around 104,700 Bornean orangutans remain (Endangered), only about 7,500 Sumatran orangutans survive (Critically Endangered), and the Tapanuli orangutan, identified in 2017, is the most endangered great ape, with fewer than 800 left. Protecting these incredible primates is more urgent than ever.

Threats to Orangutans

Orangutans play a crucial role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds, helping forests thrive. They prefer tropical forests in river valleys and floodplains but face increasing threats due to habitat loss and human activity.

With a slow reproductive rate females giving birth only every 3-5 years orangutan populations struggle to recover. Hunting and illegal wildlife trade worsen their decline. They are often killed for food, in retaliation for crop damage, or captured for the pet trade. Females with infants are targeted, and many young do not survive trafficking.

Stronger enforcement has helped reduce illegal trade in some areas, but in places like Indonesia, demand for orangutans as pets and even their skulls remains a serious threat. Protecting these incredible primates is more urgent than ever.

OUR PLEDGE

At our store, we celebrate these majestic animals while raising awareness about their conservation. Every purchase helps spread the message and support efforts to protect gorillas for future generations.