are arboreal, meaning they primarily live in the trees. There are three sub-species of orangutans, including the Bornean orangutan, the Sumatran orangutan, and the Tapanuli orangutan, which was only found in 2017.
left in the wild across all species. They have a low reproductive rate, giving birth only once every 5-10 years, making it difficult to increase their numbers. However, the discovery of a previously unknown orangutan population in Malaysian Borneo is reason to hope.
Threats
over the past 20 years. Deforestation, illegal logging, and mining have been devastating to the ecosystem. Researchers estimate that one-third of the wild population was killed in forest fires in Indonesian Borneo in 1997-98. Unfortunately, many orangutans live outside of protected regions, putting them at greater risk.
The encroachment on orangutan habitats sometimes forces them into agricultural land where they are in danger of being shot. Threats from poaching and the illegal pet trade are also considerable. Studies have shown that as many as 500 orangutans from Indonesian Borneo alone are lost to the illegal pet trade every year. Enforcement of the laws prohibiting the sale or trade of orangutans is notoriously difficult. Due to their high intelligence, rehabilitation for rescued orangutans is complicated, and it may take years before they can be released back into the wild.
An Incredible Discovery
However, it’s not all bad news. The discovery of a new orangutan population in Sarawek, Malaysian Borneo was cause for excitement among conservationists. Led by the Sarawak Forest Department, researchers conducted field surveys across 150 miles of central Borneo, leading them to the elusive orangutans. They were shocked to find up to 200 members of the most severely threatened population of Bornean orangutans. The sub-species Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus has only around 3,000-4,500 animals left in the wild. At least 2,000 of this number live in Batang Ai National Park and Lanjak-Entimau Wildlife Sanctuary in Sarawek.
This previously unknown population of orangutans was found living in the hilly terrain close to the Batang Ai National Park. Although local communities were aware of orangutans in the area, no formal research had been done. Aerial surveys confirmed the presence of nearly 1,000 fresh nests across the area, indicating recent use by the rare orangutan group. When learning of the globally significant population of this endangered sub-species, the Sarawek Government officially indicated its priority to permanently protect the area.
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