Orang-Utan "Person of the Forest"

So who are these big furry creatures? 

Orang-utans are some of our closest living relatives after gorillas and chimps and we share over 96% of our genetics with them. They are primates which belong to the Hominidae family (same as us), where they diverged into the Ponginae Subfamily and Pongo Genus, which is made up of two species P. pygmaeus (Bornean Orangutan) and P. abelii (Sumatran Orangutan). The latest estimates (2000-2003) put Bornean Orang-utan population between 45,000-69,000 and the IUCN Red List classifies them as endangered. The Sumatran Orang-utan are estimated at 7,300 remaining in the wild and classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.

Sexual Dimorphism is Obvious Between Orang-utans by the
Mature Males Face Pads

A male’s average standing height is 1.40m and weighs between 90-110kg, whereas females are smaller at 1m and weigh 45-68kg. In the wild orang-utans are expected to live between 35-40yrs and in captivity can surpass their 50s. Males are solitary and when sexually mature they develop their distinct face pads. Females give birth only every 8 years and young are extremely dependent, staying with their mothers for up to 7 years. They are incredibly shy creatures, living in the canopy of the jungle about 90% of the time. They are omnivorous primates eating mainly plants and fruit, but also insects and small mammals. Orang-utans travel on average between 90-3050m/day and build a new nest every night out of leaves and branches to sleep in, sometimes using giant leaves to shelter under during torrential downpours. Orang-utans are semi-social creatures coming together to feed during times of plenty or during copulation. Females travel alone with their young and do not form groups with other females however dominance hierarchies exist between males.   

Male Face Pads are Thought to be for Visual Communication,
Making Them Appear More Threatening to Other Males and to
Channel Their Vocalisations like a Megaphone

 So why are we trying to save them? 

United Nations Environment Programme Predictions for
Malaysian Borneos Virgin Rainforest 1950-2020

Malaysia has developed rapidly over the last 50+ years since its independence from the British in 1963. Malaysia is made up of the mainland and the northern part of Borneo (Sarawak and Sabah). It is a country rich in natural resources of which the two most important are petroleum and palm oil.

In order for these industries to grow hundreds km² of virgin rainforest have been and continue to be cut down, destroying and fragmenting the habitat of our beautiful orange cousins and many other species. Fragmentation prevents the primates from moving freely to find food, shelter and mates. 

Virgin Rainforest Fragmented by Oil Palm Plantations
Photo by: Ulet Ifansasti/Greenpeace

A second problem is the illegal poaching of orang-utans to sell as pets in China and around the world. Orang-utans are protected in Borneo and poachers are known to machete the young away from their mothers, which often leaves them disabled or worse dead.

So what work does Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre do?

 Once I arrive and have my briefing I am sure I will be able to give you a better overview of their work but for now here are a few key facts: 

• The centre is run by the Sabah Wildlife Department
• The centre is located within a wildlife reserve where more than 4,500 hectares of virgin rainforest has been dedicated to the orang-utans
• They rescue abandoned, injured or orphaned orang-utans
• They  have a veterinary team on site to nurse back to health any sick orang-utans
• There are two main areas within the centre: The Indoor Nursery (0-4yr olds) and The Outdoor Nursery (5-8yr olds). Each is specialised to help the orang-utans at the various stages in their life
• They teach orphaned orang-utans how to fend for themselves in the wild e.g. choosing correct plants for nest building
• When the teams deem the time is right they capture, sedate and relocate the orang-utans deep in the wild
• Two other main aims stated by them are to: 1) Educate the public on conservation 2) Research and assist into other endangered species such as Bornean Sun Bears

Volunteers at Sepilok Cleaning a Baby Orang-utan.
Something a Mother Orang-utan would normally do
in the Wild

Volunteers at Sepilok Teaching Orang-utans Vital Climbing
Skills That They Will Need to Survive in the Jungle

This is a very general overview on orang-utans, the threats facing them and the work Sepilok carries out. Personally I'm very excited to see what other work is being done on the ground by both the rehabilitation centre and other organisations, to combat these problems. If you have any questions please ask! I'll do my best to answer them.

S x