Hello Indonesian Culture Friends, On this occasion I will bring a discussion about Endangered - Three Indonesian Orangutan Species. Have friends of Indonesian Culture ever heard the name of this animal? Okay, let's discuss.
Indonesia is the native habitat of orangutans, which are currently classified as endangered. These remarkable great apes can only be found in the lush tropical rainforests of Sumatra and Kalimantan.
There are three distinct species of orangutans. The Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is found in Kalimantan and Malaysia's Sabah and Sarawak. The Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) resides solely in Sumatran, while the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) was only discovered in 2017 in South Tapanuli, North Sumatra.
Orangutans are arboreal creatures that spend their lives moving through the trees. Unlike chimpanzees and gorillas, they tend to live a semi-solitary lifestyle, with males typically living alone and females residing with their cubs.
Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo Abelii)
The Sumatran orangutan is distinguishable by its thick, long fur, with dominant brown and orange colors. Adult females weigh around 30-50 kilograms, while males can weigh between 50-90 kilograms and possess a long chin and sagging cheek pouches. Sumatran orangutans rely on fruits found in the forest and can travel between 2-10 kilometers. Orangutan children will gradually begin living independently at around 3.5 years old, with reproduction starting at 10-11 years old and an average reproductive age of 15 years.
Approximately 60% of orangutan food comes from fruit, such as durian, mango, lychee, jackfruit, and figs. Orangutans also enjoy young shoots of leaves, insects, soil, tree bark, and sometimes eggs or small vertebrates. Sumatran orangutans exhibit high levels of intelligence, using tree branches to pick fruit.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) states that the Sumatran orangutan population has decreased by 80%. Currently, there are approximately 14,470 individuals spread across 52 populations on Sumatra, and the species is classified as critically endangered.
Bornean Orangutans (Pongo Pygmaeus)
The Bornean orangutan is the largest arboreal animal globally, characterized by long, tangled red-brown fur and a face ranging in color from pink to black. Adult males can weigh between 50-90 kilograms and have a body length of 1.25-1.5 meters, while adult females can grow to be around 30-50 kilograms and 1 meter in height. The Bornean orangutan is famous for its ability to inflate its cheek pads, creating loud noises usually for communication.
Bornean orangutans are primarily found in lowland areas, with their habitat centering around forests and peatlands, known for having many large fruiting trees. The species also enjoys nuts, shoots, tree bark, and insects. Unlike the Sumatran orangutan, Bornean orangutans often reside on low branches and occasionally come down to the ground.
The population of the Bornean orangutan is also classified as critically endangered, with a study in 2016 estimating a population of approximately 57,000 individuals. Unfortunately, it is believed that this number has decreased even further.
Tapanuli Orangutans (Pongo Tapanuliensis)
The Tapanuli orangutan is a newly discovered species found only in the Batang Toru ecosystem in South Tapanuli. It was discovered by Professor Anton Nurcahyo, a bioanthropology expert from the Australian National University.
Genetically, the Tapanuli orangutan differs from the other two orangutan species. It has cheek pads similar to those of the Bornean orangutan but its body shape resembles that of the Sumatran orangutan. Its fur is also thicker and curlier, with prominent mustaches and beards. Its cheek pads are flat and covered in fine, blonde hair. Adult males have small skulls and large fangs.
Currently, there are approximately 800 Tapanuli orangutans, which are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN.
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