The Sumatran Orang-utan

Introduction
The Sumatran Orang-utan is a mammal found in the forests of Borneo and
Sumatra. Its scientific name is Pongo abelii. It is the largest tree-dwelling
animal and the only fully tree-dwelling ape in the world. Orang-utans are very
intelligent as they are capable of using tools such as sticks to scratch
themselves and gather food. They are taught to communicate with sign
language in captivity. Orang-utan means person of the forest in Malay and
Indonesian, however this may not be the case as they are critically
endangered.
Habitat
Orang-utans live in areas
where there are a plentiful
amount of trees to make a
home in. At the zoo, they
are fortunate enough to
have equipment such as
ropes to play on.
Constructed up to 30
metres above the ground,
Orang-utans sleep in nests.
They build a new nest
every one to two nights.
Diet
Approximately 60% of the Orang-utans diet is fruit. The other 40% includes
young leaves, bark, insects, and sometimes eggs and small animals. Orang-
utans get their water from their food and plants. They also get water from
their fur by dipping it into a water filled hollow in a tree and licking it off their
hands.
Size/Body/Covering
Most Orang-utans grow to about 3ft to just
under 6ft tall. Males are almost double the
size of females. Males can grow to 170cm and
weigh up to 90kg.
Orang-utans have long toes and fingers and
have powerful limbs.
The Orang-utan is covered with shaggy hair
which is an orange to reddish-brown colour.
Their hair darkens as they grow older.

Characteristics/Behaviour
Orang-utans try to keep clear of the ground to stay safe from any predators.
They only go down if they are moving from tree to tree. Orang-utans are
solitary, especially males, unlike other primates. Males make loud, roaring
noises and fight with other males to keep their territory protected. Female
Orang-utans, though, create a tight bond with their young and remain with the
child until it is 8 years old.
Orang-utans are shy and gentle and like to rest.

Threats
The biggest threat to the future of Orang-utans is unsustainable palm oil. It is
used in everyday products such as ice-cream, bread, cosmetics, soap and
paint. In lowland and mountainous tropical rainforests of Northern Sumatra
and most of Lowland Borneo, the forest is being cut down to plant palm oil
plantations. Orang-utans in these areas find it hard to get food or shelter,
causing 5000 to die every year. Australian zoos have come together to raise
public awareness of this threat.