Orangutans are the largest arboreal animals in the world and the only extant members of the genus Pongo. The name “orangutan” (or “man of the forest”) is derived from the Malay and Indonesian words orang meaning “person” and hutan meaning “forest”. Taxonomically, they were considered to be a single species until 1996, when DNA tests revealed that there are actually two distinct species: Pongo pygmaeus (the Bornean orangutan) and Pongo abelii (the Sumatran orangutan). Both species are listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List.
Orangutans inhabit tropical rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia on the islands of Sumatra, Borneo, and some smaller adjacent islands. They are among the most intelligent primates; learning many complex behaviors such as using tools, making sleeping nests each night from branches and leaves, mate selection, controlling fire, etc. Each morning they build a new nest about 20 feet (6 meters) above ground in trees where they spend most nights. Orangutans have an omnivorous diet consisting mostly of fruits, but also leaves, insects, bark, honey and small mammals.
Bornean orangutans live in dense rainforests on the island of Borneo in Indonesia with populations also found in Malaysia. There are an estimated 54 thousand individuals living across habitats that have been degraded due to human activity such as logging, mining ,and agriculture development . Although protected by law , enforcement has been lax resulting in high rates of deforestation which continues to threaten Orangutan populations . Deforestation not only eliminates potential habitat for Orangutans , but also provides opportunities for hunting as well as increased exposure to infectious diseases . As a result , conservation efforts focus on both preserving forests as well protecting individual Orangutans through health monitoring , rescue ,and rehabilitation programs