Endangered Species

Orangutan

 

 

A solitary animal, the Orangutan is the largest tree-living mammal. Found on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra in the Indo-Malayan Realm., this great ape rarely descends to the ground and males can grow to sizes of over 300 lbs. The threats to the Orangutan are habitat destruction  caused by commercial logging and agricultural clearance for farming and the commercial trade which alarmingly seems to have seen a revival. Live and dead Orangutans are being sold, with products such as Orangutan skulls fetching upwards of US$ 70 in some regions. Steps taken to strengthen and protect the species include, the protection by law in both Indonesia and East Malaysia of the Orangutan and the development of  three Orangutan Rehabilitation Centres where captive individuals are re-introduced to the wild. 

 

Orangutan Pictures

Orangutan photos courtesy and copyright June Linden. Used with permission.

 

June's Orang Utan Page - a great page with lot's of information on conservation and  habitat of the Orangutan. Great photo's and links as well.

 

Balikpapan Orangutan Society -  sponsors a reintroduction program for orangutans on  Borneo.

 

Balikpapan Orangutan Society - U.S.A. - dedicated to the conservation of orangutans and their  habitat

 

Orangutan Foundation International - working to increase awareness and understanding of conservation issues facing the endangered orangutan.

 

Orangutan Foundation UK - international chapter of the OFI 

 

Orangutan Sanctuary - provides information and resources 

 

BC SPCA -- Orangutans - offers information and facts 

 

Nature: Orangutans: Just Hangin' On - journey into the Asian rainforest to learn about orangutans' intelligence and what's being done to save them.

Orangutan Posters Online

 

Check out Ecobeetle's Critically Endangered Primates Page.