Orangutan Borneo
Orangutans are large apes which can be found at the islands Borneo and Sumatra. These large apes swing from tree to tree by using their arms (brachiating). Orangutan in Malay language means "human of the forest". The Orangutan population is decreasing and is in grave danger of extinction. The Expected population is less then 40.000 in the world.
Early 2009 a rare subspecies of the orangutan is found in the area of Kars East Kalimantan, this subspecies of Orangutan has black fur as a gorilla. The Black Bornean Orangutan or Pongo pygmaeus morio was found by scientists team of The Nature Conservancy in the mountainous area of East Borneo. While there is no exact number, and hard to detect the total population, the scientist team has estimated the Black Orangutan Population between 1000 to 2000 individuals. With this new detect subspecies, there are currently three species of orangutans; Pongo pygmaeus sp. (Bornean orangutan) and Pongo abelii (Sumatran orangutan) beside the Black Bornean Orangutan Pongo pygmaeus morio. Orangutans are critically endangered species in the world.
Tourism areas to spot Orangutans at Kalimantan
at Indonesian Borneo island region of Kalimantan, there are several national parks where you can spot Orangutans with relative ease. One such place is Tanjung Putting National Park, located in Central Kalimantan. Here, Orangutans can often be found near the Camp Leakey Rehabilitation Centre. These Orangutans are quite accustomed to humans and even participate in feeding activities, which makes them easier to observe.
In contrast, in Kutai National Park, situated in East Kalimantan, Orangutans live more independently in their natural habitat.
However, with the help of rangers and guided tours, it is still possible to spot them, though it might be a bit more challenging compared to other locations.
Another great spot for seeing semi-wild Orangutans is the Rungan River Orangutan Islands, also located in Central Kalimantan.
This area is situated a bit north of Palangkaraya City and offers a unique experience as you travel up the Rungan River to observe these fascinating creatures in their natural surroundings.
In East Kalimantan, the Samboja Lestari Sungai Wain Reserve serves as a rehabilitation center that houses approximately 200 Orangutans originally from the Wanariset Rehabilitation Center. This site is easily accessible from Balikpapan and can be reached in less than an hour, making it a convenient option for tourist visitors.
Lastly, Pulau Bawan, located in the Berau area near the Derawan Archipelago, is part of the Lesan Forest Reserve.
This area is known as a virgin jungle and is home to a variety of wildlife, including Orangutans, offering visitors a chance to experience the untouched beauty of Kalimantan's natural environment.
Orangutan
Orangutans have short bowed legs and long strong arms. Orangutans have about 2/3 the size of a gorilla, and are covered with long reddish-brown hair. Orang Utan males have large cheek flaps which get larger at ages. They are similar to humans, including hearing, sight, smell, taste, touch, hands and feet, they have four long fingers plus an opposable thumb. The arm span can be more then 2 meter. Their body weight is between the 50 and 90 kg and they are omnivores (eat both plants/fruit and animals). They like to eat fruit, leaves, seeds, tree bark, plant bulbs, tender plant shoots, and flowers. but also eat insects and small animals as birds. Orangutans drink water that they have collected in the holes between tree branches. Orangutans can but rarely walk, they do not swim. Their age can be up to 50 years, and live in Tropical Rainforest. There is a small difference between the Orangutans from Borneo and Sumatra and can be separate in three subspecies, the Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus and Pongo pygmaeus morio From Borneo, with a more round face and dark red and black fur, and the Pongo pygmaeus abelii From Sumatra, with a bit narrow face and paler hair, but genetically they are similar to interbreed.
Orangutans are intelligent Apes. They using objects as tools, such as for example, leaves as umbrellas to keep keep their self dry from the rain. They also use leaves as cups to drink water from.
Orangutans live alone and need large territories in order to get enough food. The female and male orang utan just stay together during mating time for a few days. The Baby orangutan will stay with its mother untill about seven years of age.
The orangutans move every day and construct a new "nest" in the tree branches for the night where they will sleep. The nests are made out of leaves and branches, and will only be shared by a baby orangutan during the mothers nursing period. If Rain will fall down, then they make the nest with a roof from leafs, as protection to become wet. The best hours to spot Orang Utans are in the moring till about nine o'clock or late afternoon, as they often take a nap at mid-day.
Males have a large throat sac that lets them make these loud calls, and are capable of to make loud calls to claim his territory, and call females.
Orangutans in the age of seven years and older are capable to reproduce itself, the Females pregnant period is about 9 months and mostly give a birth to a single baby.
The biggest threat to the orangutan is a human.
Orangutans now are endangered species. Their numbers decreasing quickly as their forest habitat, beside the orangutans are caught and sold around the world as pets.