They are found only in the rain forests of the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and Sumatra, in low-lying peat forests. They live above the ground and in the forest canopy.
They are omnivores. Nearly 90% of their diet is composed of fruit, with Durian being their favourite. They also eat bark and insects.
According to IUCN, they are critically endangered. The latest estimates from the IUCN indicate a general annual loss of 3,000 - 5,000 orangutans.
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pongo
HEIGHT: Around 1. 5 m
LENGTH: Arm span of about 2.2 m
WEIGHT: 50 - 100kg
BEHAVIOUR: Solitiary arboreal mammals, highly intelligent
COLOUR: Dark-brown / Pale reddish-orange
LIFESPAN: 35 - 45 years
LITTER SIZE: 1 infant
Employ both verbal and non-verbal communication
Threaten one another using long calls, staring, shaking of tree branches, and inflating their laryngeal throat pouches
Use visual signs like pointing, waving, banging rocks and twigs and moving their limbs
Have a vital ecological role as seed dispersers in their rainforest environment and affect forest regeneration and plant-species diversity
Tigers
Clouded Leopards
Pythons
Crocodiles
Long, powerful arms and grasping hands and feet allow them to move through the branches
Capable of opening hard-shelled and/or thorny fruits by gripping it firmly between their teeth
Replacement of sharp claws by flattened nails
Incredibly dexterous and use both hands and feet while gathering food
Males possess cheek pads and a drooping laryngeal throat pouch to intimidate other orangutans
August 19th
1. Deforestation mostly for agriculture and infrastructure (like mining, palm plantations, roads, etc.) is destroying its habitat.
2. Frequent forest fires as a result of climate change diminishes food supply.
3. Illegal hunting for bushmeat is another main cause for its low population.
4. Illegal pet orangutans are killed, or confisticated when they reach an old age.
5. Captured for entertainment, such as boxing shows and carnivals.