Sumatran Orangutan

Description - Similar to the Bornean Orang-Utan in many ways this subspecies main difference is noticeable in the male which sports a moustache and a beard and has a prominent throat sac which they use to roar and bellow. Movement of these great apes through the forest is slow just as is their reproduction with females taking up to 10 years to mature and interbirth intervals being up to 5-8 years. With a twenty year period of fertility reproduction is slow. Diet varies slightly from its cousin in that it consists of more pulpy fruits, leaves, insects and small vertebrates. Social structure also varies in that the Sumatran Orang-Utan appears to have closer bonds than in Borneo.

Distribution - Historically it is thought that distribution was over the entire island of Sumatra. Nowadays it is limited to the northwest of the island.

Level of Protection - Critically Endangered. During 1998-1999 populations were decreasing at rates of up to 1,000 individuals per year. If habitat destruction is not stopped it is thought that 50% of the population will be lost within 10 years and 97% within 50 years. The main threat to this species is habitat loss and degradation and hunting.

Best Time to Visit - The traveller is advised to visit between the months of May - September. Please note that as this is a tropical climate it can rain at any time of the year!

Safaris Available - World Primate Safaris offers a variety of trekking safaris to Northern Sumatra Please contact us for further information.