Orang Utans are animals that have a close kinship with humans and have nearly 97% DNA similar to humans. The name Orang Utan consists of the word “Person” which defines man and “Utan” which means forest.
Orang Utans breed by childbirth and include mammals. Their habitat is in the tropical forest of Indonesia, especially on the islands of Sumatra and Kalimantan. In Indonesia, this species includes two sub-species of Sumatra Debt (Pongo abelii) and Orang Utan Kalimantan (Pongo Pygmaeus).
This species is characterized by a great ape, strong long arms, short legs, a slightly bulging belly, a red-brown fur, no tail and a slight bow when standing or walking. The height is between 1.25 to 1.5 meters. Male weight about 50-90 kg and female 30-50 kg. The palms of his hands and feet are also almost similar to the human hands and feet.
With the condition of Indonesia is increasingly eroded forest, making Orang Utan critically endangered. Every 20 years, 80% of Orangutan habitat disappears due to a large number of plantation conversions.
Some Orang Utans are extinct because they are killed by farmers. The farmers think this species is a pest that must be eradicated because it often destroys or eats the planted fruit. There are also farmers who kill Orang Utan’s mother and her child for sale.
Orangutan populations in Sumatra also drop dramatically every year. In 1994 IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) recorded that there were 12,000 Orang Utans, in 2003 to 7,300 Orang Utans, and the last record in 2008 was only 6,500.
Even though it is legally as protected animal since1932, Orang Utan Sumatra but in fact, many are hunting to be traded either alive or dead. Several organizations in Indonesia have campaigned to protect this animal. Among them are the WWF Organization (World Wide Fund for Nature) and BOSF (Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation).
What WWF does for Orang Utans in Sumatra, among others, facilitates protected forest areas in Sumatra and ensures that Orang Utans live freely within the protected forest.
Control and supervise all forests, specially protected forests, where there is illegal or legal logging because however, trees are where Orangutans survive. In addition, it needed preservation of fruit trees because the tree is a source of food for Orang Utans.
Wild hunting activities are also heavily watched by WWF and they are also keen to speak about Orang Utan conservation and always keep the population.
For the Borneo region, WWF focuses on keeping Orangutans in Danau Sentarum National Park, Betung Kerihun National Park and in Sebangau National Park.
BOSF (Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation) conducts reintroduction programs such as quarantine and physical examinations of Orang Utans.
BOSF also rehabilitates Orang Utans. They are taught to make a nest, choosing foods of the appropriate nature and recognizing predators that could harm the Orang Utan itself. BOSF has a team that is very dedicated to maintaining the welfare and always care for Orang Utan found in Kalimantan area.
Orang Utans are animals that really need protection from humans. Let’s help the WWF and BOSF activities to protect the environment from destroying this species and its habitat. It can show the world how much you care about Orang Utans and the environment.
