Sumatran orangutan

Close relative in dire straits

Common Name		Sumatran orangutan; Orangoutan de Sumatra (Fr); Orangután de Sumatra (Sp)
Scientific Name		Pongo abelii
Habitat		Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Location		Northern Sumatra
Status		IUCN: Critically Endangered (CR A2bcd) CITES: Appendix I
Population		Approximately 7,500 individuals in the wild

Background

This information has been reviewed.

The Sumatran orangutan is the most endangered of the two orangutan species, and differs from its Borneo relative to some extents in appearance and behaviour. Found only in the northern and western provinces of Sumatra, Indonesia, the species is losing fast its natural habitat to agriculture and human settlements.

Physical Description

As opposed to the Bornean orangutan, the Sumatran species has long facial hair.

Size
Body length is about 1.25-1.5 m. Adults weigh 30 to 50 kg for females and 50-90 kg for males.

Colour
The fur is reddish brown in colour.

Habitat

Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests

Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan

Range States
Indonesia

Geographical Location
Northern Sumatra

Ecological Region
Sumatran Islands Lowland and Montane Forests, Sundaland Rivers and Swamps