Endangered Animals: The Sumatran Orangutan

Captive Sumatra Orangutan

    The Sumatran Orangutan is a critically endangered species that lives in tropical rainforests and originated from the island of Sumatra. They are arboreal beings, meaning they travel exclusively by way of trees; only males will rarely travel by ground. The World Wildlife Organization estimates a population of 14,614 orangutans left. 

Sumatra Orangutan Habitat and Range

    Sumutra orangutans provide many benefits to their ecosystems. They contribute heavily to the functioning of their rainforests through seed dispersal, forest structure, and plant composition. Seed dispersal is essential throughout the rainforest. The orangutans help to spread these seeds by disposing of them from their fruit, or often, the seeds need to travel through the orangutans' digestive system to germinate. They also contribute to maintaining forest structure by creating pathways and gaps in the canopies. These gaps allow sunlight to properly grow plant species, and the paths allow other animal species to travel easily. Sumatra orangutans are a keystone species and are crucial for their ecosystem's overall health, biodiversity, and survival. 

The Destruction of Rainforests

There are many reasons why the Sumatra orangutan is critically endangered. One of the biggest reasons for its decline is habitat loss. Other reasons include hunting, poaching, and climate change. The most significant threat to the orangutans is the large-scale deforestation caused by palm oil plantations, logging, and agricultural expansion. Habitat loss results from deforestation because the trees where they would live are gone at alarmingly quick rates. Forest fires are also often set deliberately to clear land, destroying habitats, and the flames are often too quick for slow-paced orangutans, causing them to burn to death in the fires. The decline of Sumutra orangutans is directly related to the disappearance of rainforests on the island of Sumutra. 

A SOCP staff member cares for a baby orangutan

Current conservation efforts include habitat protection, anti-poaching, and rehabilitation. Establishing and expanding protected areas like national parks and wildlife reserves is crucial. This allows a space for orangutans to live and breed without the threat of human encroachment and deforestation. Through restoration projects, corridors can be created to allow orangutans to move freely and safely. Ranger patrols have also been implemented to protect the orangutans by preventing illegal actions like logging and hunting. Rehabilitation and reintroducing programs are also crucial for the conservation of orangutans. The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) rescues, rehabilitates, and reintroduces orphaned orangutans back into the wild and fully supports them until they are self-sufficient. 

Geospatial tools and geographic methods can be instrumental in conserving Sumitra orangutans. Geographic information systems (GIS) can be used to create detailed maps of their habitats, which can be used to identify crucial areas to protect. Remote sensing from satellite imagery and aerial photography can also provide critical details on habitat conditions, deforestation rates, and forest degradation. 

How to Help

• Monetary Donations
• Sumutran Orangutan Conservation Programme
• Orangutan Foundation International
• World Wildlife Organization

• Volunteer:
• SOCP Volunteer Programs
• Orangutan Foundation International Volunteer Programs
• Sustainable Products
• Since deforestation is primarily connected to palm oil production, choose an oil alternative or look for products that use Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO). 
• Raising Awareness
• Educating others
• Social Media Advocacy 
• Sustainable lifestyle
• Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! The easiest way to help is by minimizing waste and reusing items whenever possible. Avoid single-use plastics that contribute to pollution
• Use eco-friendly transportation
• support reforestation efforts