The Origin of Borneo Orangutans

Orangutans are native endemic species from Indonesia, precisely on the island of Borneo. In Malay the name orangutan is 'orang' which means man and 'utan' which means forest. Orangutans are a large ape species. The Latin name of the Bornean orangutan is Pongo pygmaeus. In addition to Kalimantan, orangutans also inhabit the island of Sumatra as its habitat.

Characteristics of Orang Utan Kalimantan

The characteristics of Kalimantan orangutans have a larger body of Sumatran orangutans, short legs, have long arms, no tail, and reddish and brown colors. For adult orangutan Borneo males can reach 50 to 90 kg, while for height reached 1.25 to 1.5 m. While adult female orangutans weigh 30-50 kg and 1 m tall.

The difference between chimpanzees and orangutans is orangutans tend to be semi-solitary, while gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos live in groups.

Image of Orang Utan
Here are some pictures of orangutans in more detail so that you know more

The habitat of the Bornean orangutan can be found at an altitude of 500 m above sea level. Usually present in swamps or lowlands in the watershed (DAS). Because still in the area still has large trees as the habitat of Kalimantan's orangutan population.

Habitat of orangutans in dense trees with nests made of leaves. The types of forests that can be occupied by these animals are dry forests, lowlands, hills, river areas, freshwater swamp forest, peat swamps, and mountain forests. In Borneo, orangutans are commonly found at an altitude of 500 meters above sea level

In its habitat, the Bornean orangutan is very vulnerable to disturbances in the surrounding environment. Although this species exhibits relatively unexpected tolerance regarding habitat degradation in the northern part of Borneo Island.

Central orangutan roaming area ie in forests and peatlands, because this area produces many large fruiting plants.

Interesting Facts About Bornean Orangutans
Some unique facts of orang utans are very interesting for you to know.

1. Using Tools
   

Orangutans can use a stick as a tool to take food, and use the leaves as a sun shield. In some cases, such as the 6-year-old Sumatran Orangutan living in the western swamp of the Alas Sumatera River may use a stick to detect the location of honey but the behavior is never found among orangutans in the eastern coastal areas. This shows the diversity of behaviors in a particular environmental adaptation.

1. Long Arm Size
   The largest male orangutan has an arm span of length from one end of the hand to the other end of the hand when stretched to reach 2.3 meters in length.

2. Territorial Animals
   
   Male orangutans can make long-distance calls that can be heard within a radius of about 1 km. The call is used to monitor and mark the area, calling his partner, preventing other male orangutans from coming in. This animal has a large throat bag that makes them able to do it.

3. Guardian of Forest Sustainability
   Orangutans have a habit of eating fruits while roaming from tree to tree. This habit is instrumental in making forests continue to live. The seeds and fruits the orangutans eat are ejected into the surrounding area or in areas far from the place.

4. DNA Similar to Humans
   The Bornean orangutan has a smaller body size than the Sumatran orangutans. The body is light or orange, and has longer bones. Bornean orangutans can live for 35-40 years in the wild, even reaching the age of 60 years in captivity. Orangutans have a uniqueness close to humans, ie the level of DNA tendency of 96.4%.

5. Hobbies Eat
   

According to the Coordinator of the Sebangau National Park Restoration Division, 60-70% of orangutans use their time to eat. In addition to hanging on the branches of trees, they often come down to the ground to find food. In fact they eat the moss by sucking.

1. Wake Up Early
   Orangutans wake up at 5:00 am because they heard the sound of forest crickets. During the day, orangutans will feed for 2-4 cylinders. And will return to the nest after hearing the sound of forest crickets.

Orangutan Population in Indonesia
The Bornean Orangutan is a rare and protected species in Indonesia with endangered conservation status or called endangered.

All sub-species of Bornean orangutans are a rare species and fully protected by Indonesian legislation. The species is classified by CITES in the Appendix I category (species prohibited for international commercial trade) as it is highly vulnerable to extinction.

Some of the main threats faced by Kalimantan's orangutans are habitat loss, forest fires, illegal logging, poaching and trafficking of orangutans to become pet.

In the last decade, there have been 1.2 million ha per year of forest areas in Indonesia that have been used for large-scale logging activities, illegal logging, and forest conversion for agriculture, plantation, mining and settlement.

Read Also: Mahakam Fishes

Orangutan Rehabilitation Activities
The Kalimantan orangutan is now estimated to be about 54 thousand individuals grouped into three kind children. First, Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus located north of the Kapuas River (West Kalimantan) to the northeast of Sarawak. Secondly, Pongo pygmaeus morio lives in Sabah to the south of the Mahakam River, East Kalimantan. Third, the Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii seen from the southern part of the Kapuas River to the east of the Barito River.

Currently, the orangutans in the rehabilitation center are victims of irresponsible human acts. Forests are a natural habitat for orangutans that have turned into oil palm plantations, gold and coal mines, and concessions (forest concessions). When ranked again, oil palm plantations are at the top, about 60 percent

To release orangutans of their natural habitat, it is not easy. It took about 6-7 years to rehabilitate orangutans. Then trained to restore its wild nature before it was finally returned to the forest.
There are four phases towards orangutan release. Quarantine, socialization, pre-release, and release.

Near-endangered orangutan habitat attracts local and foreign tourists. This can be seen from the increase in visits to Tanjung Putting National Park in the last three years. Where the number of foreign visitors more than local visitors.

Visitors can do trekking into the forest, see wildlife such as wild boar, bekantan, gibbons and sun bears. There are also about 200 other types of wildlife birds. In addition, there is also a hotel located in the middle of the forest, namely Rimba Orangutan Lodge. So that tourists can enjoy the panorama of jungle forest with klotok ships while down the Sekonyer River.

That was all kinds of things about orangutan kalimanan, hopefully we can always keep the forest people so that our children and grandchildren can still see the uniqueness and charm of this animal. That is all and thank you.
follow me@ahmi14