Bornean Orangutanボルネオオランウータン

Species Data

Classification

Primates / Hominidae Source

Distribution

The Bornean orangutan is endemic to the island of Borneo, found in patchy, declining populations across the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak and the Indonesian Kalimantan provinces. Source

Did You Know?

• Bornean orangutans build an elaborate new nest of branches and leaves every night. They begin practicing this skill around six months of age and master it by about age three. Source
• Unlike other great apes, Bornean orangutans are largely solitary, with social bonds centered mainly on the mother-offspring relationship — a pattern often described as 'solitary but social.' Source
• Only dominant males develop the large facial cheek pads called flanges, using long calls to attract females; the development can be suppressed in subordinate young males. Source

FAQ

Why is the Bornean orangutan critically endangered?

Deforestation for logging and palm oil plantations has destroyed much of its habitat, and hunting adds further pressure — surveys estimated 750 to 1,800 orangutans killed annually in Kalimantan alone. The population is now less than 14% of historical levels. Source

Do orangutans use tools?

Yes. Bornean orangutans have been observed using leaves to wipe away feces, bundling leaves into a pad for handling spiny durian fruit, and using leafy branches to swat away bees. Source

Are orangutans solitary animals?

Mostly, yes. Unlike chimpanzees or gorillas, Bornean orangutans spend much of their adult lives alone, with the strongest social bonds forming between mothers and their offspring. Source