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Orangutan
Pongo sp.
CONSERVATION STATUS
CITES: Appendix I (http://www.cites.org)
IUCN Red List: EnA2cd (Pongo pygmaeus), CrA2bcd (Pongo abelii)
(http://www.redlist.org)
Pongo pygmaeus
The risk of extinction for the endangered Bornean orangutan is very high according
to the IUCN Red List classification. Pongo pygmaeus has seen a
population size reduction of at least 50% within the next 10 years or
three generations, whichever is longer, due to a decline in the area of
occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat coupled with
increasing levels of exploitation. The total population is estimated to
be no more than 15,000 individuals, though the inaccessibility of much
of their range, poor visibility in dense forests, and the cryptic nature
of the animals makes it difficult to survey with precision (Sugardjito
1995; Sodaro 1997; Rijksen & Meijaard 1999).
The Sumatran orangutan is listed among the 25 most endangered primates
in the world and is in imminent danger of going extinct. The IUCN Red
List critically endangered classification (CrA2bcd) translates to at least an 80% reduction in
the total population size over the next 10 years or three generations,
whichever is longer based on the index of abundance appropriate for the
taxon, a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence, and/or
quality of habitat, and high levels of exploitation. The same
difficulties assessing the population size that plague researchers on
Bornean orangutans apply to the Sumatran orangutan as well. On Sumatra,
the orangutan population is approximately 12,000 individuals, though
this is the upper limit of the estimate (Rijksen & Meijaard 1999). In
some areas, the rate of loss during the 1990s was about 1,000 orangutans
per year leaving some estimates of the Sumatran population between 3,500
and 5,000 individuals (Delgado & van Schaik 2000; van Schaik et al.
2001; Wich et al. 2003).
The most serious threat to orangutan viability is the unsustainable
practice of timber extraction in Indonesia and Malaysia. Habitat
destruction and the subsequent degradation, either from commercial
timber harvesting or conversion of land to agriculture poses a very
serious threat to these arboreal apes. Moreover, the illegal pet trade
is booming in Southeast Asia and infant orangutans are very popular pets
(Sodaro 1997). The low densities, small population size, and increasing
pressure on their habitat coupled with certain factors of orangutan
behavioral ecology including diet, low reproductive rates, extensive
period of development, and the longest interbirth interval of any great
ape, make the orangutan extremely vulnerable to extinction in the near
future if threats are not minimized (Morrogh-Bernard et al. 2003).
CONSERVATION THREATS & POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS
Threat: Human-Induced Habitat Loss and Degradation
The single largest threat to orangutan populations is the ongoing loss
of habitat (Sugardjito & van Schaik 1993; Sugardjito 1995; Rijksen &
Meijaard 1999). During the second half of the twentieth century, more
than half of the forest cover on Borneo disappeared and more than 80% of
the orangutan habitat was destroyed. Poorly managed timber extraction
coupled with conversion of forest to agricultural land (both subsistence
and commercial) continue to threaten these apes (Rijksen 2001).
Sumatran orangutans did not fare much better in the twentieth century,
but because of the nature of their habitat (steep, mountainous terrain)
human encroachment and agricultural opportunities have been limited.
Thus while their numbers are lower and the area of occupancy smaller
than their Bornean counterparts, Sumatran orangutans live in less
degraded habitats (van Schaik 2000; Rijksen 2001).
Because all orangutans are exclusively reliant on trees for their
existence, this makes the destruction of forests devastating to every
aspect of their lives (Sugardjito 1995). Though fruiting trees are not
generally coveted timber trees, the collateral damage from the removal
of dipterocarps negatively impacts the surrounding habitat for other
plant species and fruiting trees and vines are damaged (Sugardjito 1995;
van Schaik et al. 2001). Moreover, because of the patchy distribution
of orangutan food supply (fruiting trees dot the landscape rather than
dominate it), the loss of any of these ecologically important plant
species makes it difficult to forage efficiently
and intraspecies
competition may heighten (Sugardjito 1995; Felton et al. 2003). Another
factor of tropical timber harvesting that threatens orangutans,
especially in Borneo, is extraction of trees in peat swamp forests.
These forests support the highest observed population densities of
orangutans in any forest type as well as support commercially valuable
timber (Russon et al. 2001; Felton et al. 2003; Morrogh-Bernard et al.
2003). As trees are extracted, peat swamp forests lose their value to
orangutans and these pockets of dense orangutan populations decline or
are eliminated (Felton 2003). Displaced orangutans do not generally
survive and succumb to disease, hunting, or capture for trade (Delgado &
van Schaik 2000; van Schaik et al. 2001).
Pongo pygmaeus
Compounding the problem of commercial timber harvest is illegal logging.
Rather than following a mandated 30- to 40-year rest period before
felling more trees in an area, logging generally continues until all of
the commercially valuable timber has been extracted (van Schaik et al.
2001). The natural processes of regeneration do not occur and the
booming human population can take advantage of the cleared land, moving
in and planting agricultural crops (Delgado & van Schaik 2000). Illegal
logging may also be responsible for higher levels of collateral damage
as well. Unskilled laborers working unsupervised cause unnecessary
damage to the surrounding ecosystem (Felton et al. 2003). Roads built
by logging companies and access via rivers together with the complete
lack of law enforcement make formerly isolated patches of forest
vulnerable to exploitation by timber poachers and commercial
agriculturalists (van Schaik et al. 2001). Oil palm plantations are an
increasingly serious threat to orangutan habitat as land is completely
converted from recovering logged forest to monoculture plantations
(Robertson & van Schaik 2001). Weak compliance with regulations, weak
law enforcement, and weak legal environment all contribute to illegal
timber harvesting and agriculture (Robertson & van Schaik 2001).
Potential Solutions
If orangutan populations are to recover, habitat destruction must be
halted and sufficient protection must be extended to them (Yeager 1999;
Robertson & van Schaik 2001; Felton et al. 2003). Even hand-logging,
which has been considered less disruptive than mechanized logging, does
significant damage to orangutan habitat because of the haphazard
practices implemented by illegal logging crews (Felton et al. 2003).
Adequate funding is necessary to ensure that the laws and restrictions
against timber extraction in national parks and reserves are enforced
(Robertson & van Schaik 2001). Some of this funding could come from
logging companies themselves. Each time part of their concession is
illegally harvested, they lose potential profit to poachers therefore
the companies have some incentive to protect the land. Revoking
licenses of concessionaires or fining logging companies for not adhering
to approved logging practices in designated areas could decrease impact
while also increasing revenue for conservation. Saw mills could also be
subject to review, requiring permits to operate and implementing fines
for processing illegal timber.
Other options for enforcement are community-based protection initiatives
in which local communities living around national parks and protected
areas are responsible for guarding the forests from timber poachers.
Coupled with education programs, these orangutan protection units could
be potential income earning opportunities for local people as well as
create a sense of pride for endemic natural resources (Rosen & Byers
2002). These community-based programs will only be successful, though,
if corruption at higher levels can be abated (Robertson & van Schaik
2001). Alternative income opportunities could also be developed in
buffer areas surrounding national parks and preserves and would
alleviate some pressure on the natural resources within parks (Yeager
1999).
Though enforcing regulations in legally protected areas is challenging,
existing protected areas need to be expanded and new areas must be
created if orangutan populations are to remain viable. Currently, no
more than 16% of the range of Bornean orangutans is protected,
while Sumatran orangutans are protected in 73% of their range
(though their range is much smaller than that of their Bornean
relatives) (Rijksen 2001). Where logging has occurred and forests are
fragmented, measures must be taken to create corridors and allow
gene flow between geographically
separated populations. Money from international loans can be used to
implement these projects and local people can become involved in
application of these principles. Because of the rampant corruption,
though, these loans must be linked to tangible conservation
accomplishments subject to third-party review (Robertson & van Schaik 2001).
Certifying lumber that has been extracted properly and is
"orangutan-friendly" is another option to decrease impact on habitat.
Timber companies can sell this lumber for a higher price and increase
their revenues if the certified wood is designated as such. Encouraging
users of tropical hardwood and palm oil to decrease consumption or only
purchase those products that have been certified may also decrease
demand for "unfriendly" products on the global market and decrease their
value.
Translocating displaced orangutans from logged forests to less disturbed
habitats may decrease mortality associated with severely degraded
habitats (Wich et al. 2003). If patches are too small or too severely
logged, occupant orangutans could be moved to more appropriate areas and
supplemented with food, if necessary, until isolated fragments are
connected with forest corridors (Wich et al. 2003). Translocation is
considered an emergency measure, though, and funding should be directed
toward preventing the causes of displacement (Yeager 1999).
Threat: Invasive Alien Species
Ape-based ecotourism is an important source of revenue for orangutan
conservation organizations. These programs revolve around rescue and
rehabilitation centers that care for and sometimes release orangutans
that have been seized from illegal sources (Sugardjito & van Schaik
1993; Delgado & van Schaik 2000). As a result, orangutans come into
frequent close contact with tourists, caregivers, guards, and guides and
potentially are exposed to zoonotic diseases. Because of their
phylogenetic closeness to humans, all great apes are subject to some
human diseases (Woodford et al. 2002). Orangutans that come into close
contact with humans through ecotourism and rehabilitation centers are
exposed to a myriad of pathogens that may decrease their viability or,
even worse, could have catastrophic consequences if the infectious
disease is transmitted to an entire population. Because wild orangutan populations
are so small and fragmented to begin with, any added stress such as pathogens or
parasites could be cataclysmic (woodford et al. 2002).
Potential risks include aerosol/inhalation transmission, fecal/oral transmission, and indirect routes of transmission
such as intermediate hosts (eg. insects). Diseases that have been
known to affect great apes include paralytic poliomyelitis, pneumonia,
measles, and tuberculosis and wild orangutans have had diagnoses
including hepatitis A,B,C, D, and E, leptospirosis, cholera, malaria,
HIV, and tuberculosis (Smits et al. 1995; Kilbourn et al. 1998; Woodford
et al. 2002).
Potential Solutions
Proper protocol should be followed to minimize the possibility of
disease transmission to habituated orangutans in rehabilitation centers,
especially those that come into frequent, close contact with tourists.
Health checks (simple questionnaires) for tourists should be
prerequisite for any visit to orangutan centers. Proper distance should
be kept and good sanitation should be practiced before and after coming
in contact with these apes. It is also important for personnel of
orangutan centers to have current vaccinations and practice good hygiene
in order to minimize disease transmission on a daily basis (Woodford et
al. 2002).
Threat: Harvesting (hunting/gathering)
Another significant threat to orangutan survival is hunting as meat and
subsequent capture of wild orangutans for sale into the pet trade
(Rijksen 2001). This practice is closely tied to swidden agriculture;
as local people burn fires to clear forested areas, orangutans within
those areas flee from the conflagration and are captured for meat or
sale (Rijksen 2001).
Pongo abelii
It is also directly linked to forest destruction because as timber
harvests, both legal and illegal, increase and food sources become more
intermittent, orangutans venture out of the forests into surrounding
plantations and fields, stealing food and acting as agricultural pests.
When this occurs, local people have little tolerance for the apes. As
conflicts arise, orangutans are shot or poisoned and surviving infants
and juveniles are taken and sold (Rijksen 2001). It is estimated that
about two orangutans per week are smuggled off of Borneo and are taken
to Singapore for distribution (Rosen & Byers 2002). Many illegal pet
orangutans are seized en route to or in Taiwan, a principal destination
for illegally trafficked wild orangutans. A popular Taiwanese
television show featuring an orangutan as an ideal pet and companion is
likely responsible for the popular idea of orangutans as pets (Lee et
al. 1993).
Orangutans are also hunted for their meat in some areas, especially in the interior of Borneo. Because of their deliberate and slow locomotion, orangutans are easy
targets for hunters even from a distance (Sugardjito 1995). Though the
indigenous people in much of this area are Muslim and therefore have
religious taboos against eating any meat, including orangutan, the ape
population is dwindling because even the slightest hunting pressure on
areas of precariously low population densities has significant effects
(Sugardjito 1995). Moreover, adult females are usually found in the
highest population densities of any demographic and are therefore more
vulnerable to poaching. In addition, they usually travel with at least
one dependent offspring, probably two. If the adult female is killed
for food, her offspring are seized and sold as pets (Yeager 1999).
Potential Solutions
A long-time solution to the pet trade has been rescue and rehabilitation
programs for orangutans seized from poachers and pet dealers, coupled
with law enforcement and strict regulation to prevent the illegal trade
(Delgado & van Schaik 2000). The main rehabilitation centers include
Sepilok in Sabah, Semonggok in Sarawak, Wanariset in East Kalimantan,
and Bohorok on Sumatra (Yeager 1999). Though it is generally
acknowledged that rehabilitation is a necessary, temporary measure,
these centers and policies have been met with some criticism about their
mediocre success of preventing poaching and illegal trade while
subjecting orphaned orangutans to questionable social and ecological
environments (Smits et al. 1995; Rijksen 2001). This practice has
become commercialized and tourists can pay to visit rehabilitation
centers for an up-close encounter with orangutans. More recently, there
has been a shift in which orangutans are involved in ecotourism
ventures. Rather than viewing and interacting with all orangutans,
tourists are introduced to orangutans that are not candidates for
reintroduction due to chronic illness or permanent disability (Rosen &
Byers 2001). The focus in the centers should remain on rehabilitation
-- returning apes to a proper state for feral existence. In the broader
context, more financial and administrative effort should be focused on
preventing poaching and habitat conservation (Rijksen 2001). Funding
for education of local communities should be increased if orangutan
poaching is to stop in and around national parks. Reintroduction of
rehabilitated orangutans should therefore not garner the same amount of
funding and effort as reducing the source of orangutans in need of
rehabilitation (Yeager 1999).
Protocol has been developed to meet the needs of orangutans in rescue
and rehabilitation centers. Measures to ensure the health of orangutans
in rehabilitation programs have been put in place and include a
quarantine period for newcomers, routine healthcare and screenings while
in captivity, and complete diagnostic testing before reintroducing
rehabilitated animals to conditions where they have the opportunity to
interact with wild orangutans (Rosen & Byers 2001).
Policies regarding diet, social grouping, amount of interaction with
caregivers and other humans, as well as preparedness training (social
and ecological) have all been implemented. Captive breeding is also
discouraged and is avoided by management techniques. Very specific
recommendations for the reintroduction of captive orangutans have also
been outlined and include reintroduction into suitable environment with
adequate protection, area free of wild orangutans (to reduce spread of
non-endemic diseases to already precarious populations), geographic
isolation from other populations to decrease risk of disease
transmission, and follow-up research to monitor the progress of
reintroduced animals (Rosen & Byers 2001).
Reintroduced orangutans usually spend some amount of time remaining in
the vicinity of their release cage (days to weeks) and very young
orangutans have difficulty moving about in trees, instead staying on the
ground, huddled with their conspecifics (Grundmann et al. 2000). Other
skills that have been noticeably absent in newly released orangutans
also include nest building and fruit acquisition and processing. One
way to counter this lack of appropriate skills is to pair the youngest
orangutans with older, more knowledgeable orangutans and allow the
natural transfer of knowledge that would occur in a normal orangutan
family (Grundmann et al. 2000). Obviously supplementing newly
reintroduced orangutans is essential to their survival, but it is also
important to closely monitor their progress and possibly remove them if
attempts to assimilate are unsuccessful.
Threat: Persecution
Orangutans are subject to persecution because in some areas they become
pests. In altered ecosystems, orangutans compete with people for fruit
where it is scarce (van Schaik et al. 2001). Moreover, as food sources
become increasingly sporadic in severely degraded habitats, orangutans
are forced to venture into surrounding agricultural areas and steal
food. They are often shot or poisoned if they are caught. (Rijksen
2001).
Potential Solutions
Shifting the attitudes of local people is essential to conserving
orangutans. Increasing tolerance of these apes is necessary if
persecution is to end, especially because it is likely to continue as
more habitat is destroyed and orangutans are forced to forage in
plantations and fields. Local people could receive payment for crop
damage or losses caused by orangutans or they could be advised on which
crops are less attractive to orangutan raiders, such as sugarcane (Rosen
& Byers 2001).
Threat: Natural Disasters
Climate change has played a significant role in the loss of Bornean
orangutans and could have significant effects on both species in the
future. Widespread drought following the El Niño/Southern Oscillation
of 1997-98 led to the largest fire disaster ever observed and resulted
in the burning of millions of acres. Though normally not vulnerable to
fires even during drought, tropical forests that are severely logged are
at high risk for destruction by wildfires (Siegert et al. 2001). The
use of fire is widely employed as a tool to clear land for commercial
and subsistence agriculture as well as hunting in some areas of
Indonesia. During periods of severe drought brought on by El Niño, the logged
forests were particularly sensitive to fire activity and many fires
started by local people resulted in uncontrollable forest fires that
burned over 12 million acres and killed thousands of orangutans (Delgado
& van Schaik 2000; Siegert et al. 2001). In fact, it is estimated that
33 % of the orangutan population on Borneo was lost during the
massive fires in the 1990s (Rijksen & Meijaard 1999).
Potential Solutions
Though there is no solution to drought or its underlying causes, some
important management techniques can be implemented to decrease the
likelihood of another El Niño event decimating the orangutan population.
As discussed above, decreasing logging activity in prime orangutan
habitat is necessary and would decrease the chance of fire affecting the
forests. Furthermore, giving incentives to corporations and local
people to change their land clearing techniques would reduce the
opportunity for fires to get out of control. Another management option
is to plant fire resistant trees as buffers surrounding orangutan
habitats (Rosen & Byers 2002).
Threat: Intrinsic Factors
There are some characteristics that make orangutans particularly
susceptible to environmental change and lead to more rapid disappearance
of both species. Orangutans are poor dispersers and where their
habitats are severely disturbed or fragmented and they travel with great
reluctance across open areas (Delgado & van Schaik 2000). This creates
stressful situations for orangutans, which, in all likelihood, are
already experiencing high stress levels because of the lack of foraging
opportunities in their degraded home ranges (van Schaik et al. 2001). Furthermore,
female orangutans that have limited access to high quality foods such as
fruit (caused by seasonal changes or habitat destruction) have lower
reproductive output (Knott 1998; Yeager 1999). Because of the extensive
period of development and already long interbirth intervals, any
decrease in reproductive capabilities caused by ecological factors may
cause negative growth in the overall population of orangutans. This
would be disastrous for animals that are already living precariously.
Potential Solutions
Habitat loss and destruction are at the root of the orangutan
conservation crisis. Ecological factors are intrinsically linked to
behavioral characteristics in all primate species, but in the instance
of the orangutan, changing the ecological environment has quite far
reaching effects. Halting habitat destruction will mitigate the
demographic effects that make the orangutan populations in Borneo and
Sumatra so unstable.
Threat: Human Disturbance
Economic and political instability in the region has been a contributing
factor to habitat loss in recent years. The Asian financial crisis had
serious effects on Indonesia's economy and violent demonstrations led to
the resignation of long-term president Suharto (Robertson & van Schaik
2001). The fall of this regime translated to political upheaval and
mass anarchy eventually leading to increases in illegal logging and
orangutan poaching (Delgado & van Schaik 2000; Robertson & van Schaik
2001). On Sumatra, armed conflict involving separatists added to the
chaotic atmosphere and lawlessness there and contributed to existing
problems of illegal logging and poaching (Robertson & van Schaik 2001).
Potential Solutions
Corruption has long been rampant in Indonesia's government and while
democratic elections have ensued since Suharto was overthrown, the
problem seems to remain common (Robertson & van Schaik 2001). The
connection between conservation and political will cannot be
underestimated and human rights groups for democracy as well as
Indonesian NGOs must be willing to further the cause on Borneo and
Sumatra. Transitioning from a corrupt, nepotistic government is
certainly no easy task and one that will take efforts from multiple
organizations and concerned individuals.
LINKS TO MORE ABOUT CONSERVATION
CONSERVATION INFORMATION
CONSERVATION NEWS
- Orangutan endangered in Indonesia (Associated Press, May 7, 2008)
- Fire hoses may help save Borneo orangutans (Yomiuri Shinbun, April 10, 2008)
- Great Ape Trust signs first international Agreement (Great Ape Trust of Iowa, February 6, 2008)
- Indonesia plants trees to save orangutans (Telegraph, December 28, 2007)
- Indonesia: Orangutan Plan To Curb Carbon Emissions (Scoop, New Zealand, December 17, 2007)
- Hidden colony of orang-utans is discovered in the forests of Borneo (Independent Online, December 3, 2007)
- Climate change deals another blow to orangutans (Reuters, November 28, 2007)
- Answers sought to save Asia's orangutans (Independent Online, October 19, 2007)
- Brookfield experts make an appeal for the apes (Chicao Daily Herald, October 19, 2007)
- Malaysia returns four orangutans to Indonesia (AFP, September 27, 2007)
- Sebangau National Park in need of all-inclusive management (Jakarta Post, September 11, 2007)
- Best Practice Guidelines for the Re-introduction of Great Apes (IUCN/SSC Primate Specialist Group, 2007)
- Orangutans squeezed by biofuel boom (MSNBC, September 4, 2007)
- Palm oil demand puts orangutans at risk (UPI, August 14, 2007)
- Activists: Palm oil workers killing endangered orangutans (Manila Times, July 26, 2007)
- Indonesia's Logging Fight (Wall Street Journal, July 3, 2007)
- Sumatra best spot to see orangutans in the wild (Stuff, New Zealand, June 29, 2007)
- U.N.: Orangutans' Survival Faces Threat (Associated Press, June 11, 2007)
- Logging may wreck orangutan forests in decade-UN (Reuters, June 11, 2007)
- Malaysia plans forest recovery to conserve orangutan (The Nation, May 8, 2007)
- Orangutans face struggle to survive (Altanta Journal-Constitution, May 7, 2007)
- Group Trying to Save Endangered Orangutans (Voice of America, April 30, 2007)
- Motive of the orang utan claim: Najib (Daily Express, Malaysia, April 17, 2007)
- US group offers orang utan aid to Sabah (Malaysia Star, Malaysia, April 15, 2007)
- The future's black for orangutans (The Times, UK, April 3, 2007)
- Alarm over fate of world's orangutans (UPI, March 25, 2007)
- Palm Oil Products Linked To Orang-utan Demise (Scoop, New Zealand, March 22, 2007)
- Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei agree to save "Heart of Borneo" (AFP, February 12, 2007)
- Orangutans 'face greater threat' (BBC News, February 6, 2007)
- Illegal logging hits Asian forests, orangutans - U.N. (Reuters, February 6, 2007)
- Iowans' plan will help apes enter the wild (Des Moines Register, January 3, 2007)
- The vanishing man of the forest: Orangutans (International Herald Tribune, January 7, 2007)
- Trust's donations save apes worldwide (Des Moines Register, December 15, 2006)
- Some 200 orangutans to be released into C Kalimantan forest (Antara News, Indonesia, December 13, 2006)
- Jakarta to send 8 orangutans to rehabilitation center (Antara News, Indonesia, December 4, 2006)
- WWF survey: Borneo orang-utan population threatened (WWF Newsroom, December 4, 2006)
- Kick-boxing orangutans get to go home (MSNBC, November 21, 2006)
- Orangutans in losing battle with slash-and-burn Indonesian farmers (San Diego Union-Tribune, November 15, 2006)
- Indonesian Fires Threaten Orangutans and other Wildlife (Voice of America, October 17, 2006)
- Environmentalists hope to save orangutans (Independent Online, September 26, 2006)
- Orang-utans face extinction (The Statesman, September 25, 2006)
- Fighting to save Borneo's vital last rain forests (International Herald Tribune, September 19, 2006)
- Orang utan head count (The Star, Malaysia, September 19, 2006)
- Thailand to return 48 orangutans to Indonesia (Antara News, Indonesia, September 5, 2006)
- Scientists manning world's first orang utan monitoring station (New Straits Times, Malaysia, August 30, 2006)
- Thailand to return smuggled orangutans to Indonesia next month (Jakarta Post, August 31, 2006)
- Great Ape Trust Awards $22,000 in Conservation Grants (E-Wire, August 22, 2006)
- Dutch orangutans to chat via internet with Indonesian counterparts (Monsters and Critics, August 10, 2006)
- Saving Sumatra's Wild Orangutans (NPR, August 7, 2006)
- Illegal logging helps Indonesians survive (Duluth News-Tribune, July 28, 2006)
- Repatriated orangutans to be prepared for life in wild: NGO (Antara News, Indonesia, July 28, 2006)
- Primatologist agree to intensify efforts to save endangered species (Antara News, Indonesia, July 12, 2006)
- Grumble in the jungle (The Observer Magazine, June 18, 2006)
- Regional meeting set to decide fate of 54 orangutans confiscated in Thailand (Ohmy News, South Korea, April 11, 2006)
- Malaysian State to Ban Logging in Orangutan Habitat (Voice of America, March 16, 2006)
- Orang-utan facing extinction (BBC News, December 14, 2006, video report)
- Orangutans (National Geographic Wild Chronicles, December 5, 2005, video report)
- Indonesia rainforest palm plantation plan seen causing timber losses, floods (Forbes, February 7, 2006)
- Genes record orangutans' decline (BBC News, January 24, 2006)
- Study: Deforestation decimates orangutans (UPI, January 24, 2006)
- Orang-utans of Borneo on the edge (Radio Netherlands, May 10, 2005)
- To roam free again (The Star, Malaysia, January 3, 2006)
- Primates head home on 'Orangutan special' (Independent Online, South Africa, December 18, 2005)
- Whose forest? (Newsweek, December 26, 2005)
- Malaysia hits out at palm oil 'smears' (BBC, November 30, 2005)
- Borneo orangutans face threat of extinction (Jakarta Post, November 22, 2005)
- Shaking Money From Borneo's Trees (Washington Post, November 2, 2005)
- Solutions sought for decline in orangutan population (Jakarta Post, October 18, 2005)
- Woods Hole Research Center scientist part of international initiatives to save the great apes (EurekAlert, October 11, 2005)
- Shoppers 'threat to orang-utans' (BBC News, September 23, 2005)
- Awareness in UK on Sabah's Orang Utans (Daily Express, Easy Malaysia, September 21, 2005)
- Palm plantation sparks rainforest row (CNN, September 16, 2005)
- Sumatran orangutans face extinction (Independent Online, September 1, 2005)
- WWF: World's Largest Palm Oil Plantation Could Spell Disaster for Forests of Borneo (US Newswire, August 12, 2005)
- Indonesian Laws Against Trade in Endangered Orangutans Ignored (Environment News Service, June 22, 2005)
- Orang-utans killed for illegal trade (New Scientist, June 17, 2005)
- 22 orangutans died last year (Jakarta Post, May 11, 2005)
- 'Danum too small for conservation' (Daily Express, East Malaysia, May 6, 2005)
- Tsunami Rebuilding Could Deforest Island, Green Groups Say (National Geographic News, April 26, 2005)
- Desperate plight of the great apes (Australian Broadcasting Company, March 11, 2005)
- Expert highlights mobile phone threat to great apes (Australian Broadcasting Company, March 10, 2005)
- Orang-utan brigade takes on Borneo's illegal loggers (Sydney Morning Herald, March 25, 2005)
- Environmentalists Urge U.S. Firms to Stop Importing Indonesian Timber (Environment News Service, February 25, 2005)
- Malaysia's orangutans in trouble (Independent Online, South Africa, June 29, 2004)
- Tsunami disaster further imperils orangutan habitat (Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 10, 2005)
- Sky count to track orang numbers (BBC News, December 7, 2004)
- Thailand pressured to repatriate orangutans (Independent, South Africa, October 12, 2004)
- Save the trees, save the apes, expert says (San Diego Union-Tribune, October 5, 2004)
- Fences 'can help apes' survival' (BBC News, May 5, 2004)
- An eye on the future for orangutans (Taipei Times, January 26, 2004)
- Dire Outlook for Many Primates (BBC, May 12, 2000)
- Explorer's Notebook: Orangutans headed toward
- Great apes in peril (BBC News, May 20, 2001)
- How to be an Orangutan (International Wildlife, January-February 1997)
- Last chance to save great apes from extinction (Guardian Unlimited, May 21, 2001)
- Malaysia makes ape death arrest (BBC News, August 26, 2003)
- Orang-utan catastrophe looms (Sydney Morning Herald, January 12, 2004)
- Orang-utans 'may die out by 2025' (BBC News, January 12, 2004)
- Orangutans losing battle for survival (National Geographic News, March 6, 2001)
- Rehab the only start for Borneo apes (Independent, South Africa, January 25, 2004)
- Student's fears for orang-utan (BBC News, January 14, 2004)
- The Nature Conservancy Finds Population of Wild Orangutans (November 20, 2002 press release)
- UN failing to save apes from extinction (The Scotsman, November 23, 2003)
- Why couple are swinging to the rescue (Newcastle Evening Chronicle, September 17, 2002)
- News links for all species
ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN Pongo CONSERVATION
Content last modified: June 13, 2005
Written by Kristina Cawthon Lang. Reviewed by Simon Husson.
Cite this page as:
Cawthon Lang KA. 2005 June 13. Primate Factsheets: Orangutan (Pongo) Conservation. <http://pin.primate.wisc.edu/factsheets/entry/orangutan/cons>. Accessed 2008 May 13.
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