Orangutan Facts

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The distinctively “orange” Orangutan is a species of great ape found in Sumatra and Borneo. The Sumatran species is critically endangered and the Borneo species is endangered. The male can weigh over 200 lbs. and the female weighs approximately 100 lbs. The Orangutan only gives birth once every 6 to 11 years and has a life span of 35 to 40 years. They are arboral (live in trees) and eat 300 kinds of fruit, leaves, flowers and insects.

Amazing Fact: One of the most famous Orangutans was Ah Meng. She was considered a celebrity at the Singapore Zoo until her death in February 2008, when she died of old age. She became jealous of a female research student with whom her long-time male caretaker was spending time and attacked her! You can read more about Ah Meng at Wikipedia.

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More Information about Orangutans

BORNEO ORANGUTAN

Common Name: Bornean orangutan

Scientific Name: Pongo pygmaeus

Population: 38,000 estimated in Central Borneo and 3,000 estimated in NW Borneo. For articles on the success of endangered animal programs, go to: Success in Saving Animals!

Background: The Bornean orangutan is a different species from the Sumatran orangutan. According to World Wildlife Fund, about one third of Borneo’s orangutan population was lost during forest fires in 1997 and 1998. While there are some protected areas, illegal logging continues to be the the major threat to the Orangutan.

Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests

Location: Borneo, ranges Indonesia and Malaysia

SUMATRAN ORANGUTAN

Common Name: Sumatran orangutan

Scientific Name: Pongo abelii

Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests in Indonesia

Location: Northern Sumatra

Population: Approximately 7,500 in the wild. The Sumatran orangutan is even more endangered than the Bornean. Found only in the northern and western provinces of Sumatra, Indonesia, the species is losing fast its natural habitat to agriculture and human settlements.

Physical Description: The Sumatran species has long facial hair while the Bornean does not. The color is reddish brown.

Sources: www.wwf.org and www.wikipedia.org

T-Shirts made from bamboo and organic cotton are amazing, just like the amazing wild animals that are portrayed in the Wild Animal Collection. Test your short-term memory — is the wild animal art on the Amazing Tee’s shirt the Bornean or Sumatran Orangutan?