The orangutan is a forest ape with shaggy, red-orange or red-brown hair. The illegal trade of orangutans is very common and a cause to worry. In the past decade the number of them in the wild has dropped by 50%. Orangutans, who lose their homes as native trees are destroyed, are especially under threat from palm oil plantation. Orangutans live entirely in trees. Historically, the Sumatran orangutan was distributed over the entire island of Sumatra and further south into Java. The Bornean orangutan is also threatened by conflict with humans, as they are sometimes hunted as a retaliatory measure when they move into agricultural areas and destroy crops while seeking food, especially in the case of palm oil (Indonesia and Malaysia produce up to 90% of the world's palm oil). Request more information! There's a possibility the Tapanulis could mix it up with the Sumatran orangutan s, but their populations are about 62 miles apart. This means that without drastic intervention, orangutans may soon be extinct as biologically viable populations in the wild. "It is very exciting to discover a new great ape species in the 21st century," says Michael Krtzen, principal author of the study. This new third species lives in North Sumatra, but is genetically and behaviorally distinct from the two other species. Read on to find out which of these animals are at highest risk for extinction and what we can do to protect the 10 most endangered animals in 2022. Plus, the Sumatran orangutan is itself critically endangered. Orangutans and gorillas are critically endangered. Orangutans are great apes, a classification that includes gorillas, chimpanzees, bonobos and humans. Like the other great apes (gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos), orangutans are clever animals and have much in common with humans. They are the only great apes found in Asia. Your donation is important and goes directly to BOS Indonesia. In particular, forest habitats are being cut down to make room for palm oil plantations. The two kinds of orangutan - the Bornean and the Sumatran Orangutan - have both experienced sharp declines in populations. In this article we will dicuss why are orangutans endangered. IUCN estimates between 2,000 and 3,000 of Borneo's orangutans have been killed every year for the past four decades, mainly for their meat. It's really unfortunate that orangutans, one of the most adorable apes are facing extinction. There are now a total of 41,415 species on the IUCN Red List, and 16,306 of them are endangered species threatened with extinction. And all three species of orangutans are now classed as critically endangered due to palm oil farming, the wildlife trade, and deforestation. Five great apes exist on earth today, two of them are on the brink of extinction, two are decreasing rapidly in population, and one is the most abundant primate species on earth. Please help the Orangutans in their struggle for survival. The orangutans are popular as pets and in the entertainment industry. On top of that, hunting is also a significant pressure because orangutans are slow breeders, producing only one offspring every six to eight years on average. Sumatran and Bornean orangutans separated around 674,000 years ago, the team estimates. There are only about 7,500 Sumatran ones, placing it on the critically endangered list, according to the World Wildlife Fund . Currently, the IUNC has classified the Bornean orangutan as Endangered and the Sumatran orangutan as Critically Endangered. Among the most critically endangered species on this year's official IUCN Red List are the Orangutan, Javan Rhinocerus, Hawksbill Turtle, and the Eastern Lowland Gorilla. Learn more about what WWF is doing to protect its future, and how you can help. A third species of orangutan was announced in November, 2017. The Bornean orangutan, the most common, can be found in Kalimantan, Indonesia and Sarawak and Sabah in Malaysia. Female orangutans are highly sort after by hunters Credit: Alamy. A critically endangered Sumatran orangutan living in New Orleans' Audubon Zoo gave birth to a healthy male baby on Christmas Eve, zoo officials announced. An annual estimate of 200-500 orangutans are sold on the international illegal wildlife market. llll Orangutan Sanctuary: Top 10 orangutan sanctuaries in Borneo 2022 Best places to see orangutans in Borneo Observe wild orangutans in the forest of Borneo for research Volunteer at an orangutan sanctuary to take action for conservation efforts. With no more than 800 individuals in existence, the Tapanuli orangutan is the most endangered of all great apes. There are three species of orangutan. Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii). It lives in Sumatra and Borneo and is the largest tree-climbing mammal in the world. Indonesia is home to several endangered animals that face further threat from human development. Researchers observed Tapanuli orangutans in their hilly habitat as early as the 1930s. The Sumatran orangutan and the Tapanuli orangutan are both only found in Sumatra. Because of poaching, three of the five species of rhinos are among the most endangered animals in 2022: the black rhino, the Javan rhino and the Sumatran rhino. They are used for pets and can be sold for a great deal of money. Found in upland forests in north Sumatra, in Indonesia, the Tapanuli orangutan (pongo tapanuliensis) was originally considered to be part of the Sumatran orangutan population, but the discovery of a separate species means it is considered the most endangered of all great ape species. Why are Sumatran orangutans endangered? With such striking qualities and highly unique traits, it is a matter of grave concern that these apes are getting endangered. A recent survey suggests there are no more than 800 of the animals left, which means that the Tapanuli orangutan is the most endangered species of the great apes. By donating, you are helping bring this noble yet endangered species back from the brink of extinction and on a path to freedom - from rescue to rehabilitation and release. For the two species of orangutans found on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in southeast Asia, mature tropical rainforests are essential to their survival. Endangered population of orangutans is the oldest surviving red ape lineage, a new study finds. One photographer has proven that eyes really are the window to the soul in these critically endangered great apes. Mark Edward Harris' photo series 'Orangutans On a Thin Vine' shines a light on a species whose future is particularly uncertain as habitats of these majestic primates are disappearing rapidly. In 2022, there are 37,400 species threatened with extinction, with 3,483 classified as critically endangered[source]. "As orangutans are hunted and pushed out of their habitats, losses to this slow-breeding species are enormous and will be extremely difficult to reverse." Bornean orangutans now join their cousins, Sumatran orangutans ( P. abelii ), which have been listed as critically endangered since 2008. But thankfully, charities around the world are now working to rescue and rehabilitate orangutans to preserve the species for future generations. Orangutans are also the world's largest arboreal mammals, which means they are the largest mammals that have the capability to live in trees. Any mating between the two would require a cross-island trek to even get within sniffing distance of each other. The critically endangered Sumatran orangutan population is threatened by hunting and habitat loss. The Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation is working to reintroduce these animals from captive populations back to the wild, protect their habitat, and educate nearby communities to help protect the species. Both species are in severe decline. The future for orangutans is certainly one that is in trouble. The orangutan, named Menari, was pregnant with twins, one of which died while still in the womb, officials said in a statement. Tapanuli orangutans are the most endangered with no more than 800 in existence. Orangutans Conservation Status. The reason why orangutans are endangered can be summed up with two words: habitat loss. However, the actual number of traded orangutans may be even larger as the estimate only reflects international trade.