№ 84 of 100
Bornean Orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus
More than 100,000 survive, yet Borneo lost half its orangutans in 16 years — numbers alone don't equal safety.
- Range
- IndonesiaMalaysia
- Region
- Asia
- Habitat
- Lowland rainforest and peat swamp forest of Borneo
The story
The Bornean orangutan shows how fast even a large population can fall: an estimated 148,000 were lost between 1999 and 2015. Rehabilitation centres care for hundreds of orphans, but the species' future depends on whether Borneo's remaining forests stay standing.
What's killing them
- Deforestation for palm oil, pulp and mining
- Fires on drained peatland
- Killing during crop conflict
- Pet trade
Who's fighting for them
WWFWorld Wide Fund for Nature
Re:wildRe:wild — Global Wildlife Conservation
TRAFFICTRAFFIC — Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network
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Quick answers
How many Bornean Orangutans are left in the world?
Approximately ~104,000. The Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, and their population trend is declining. Figures are estimates compiled from the IUCN Red List and conservation organisations.
Where does the Bornean Orangutan live?
The Bornean Orangutan is found in Indonesia, Malaysia (Asia). Their habitat: Lowland rainforest and peat swamp forest of Borneo.
Why is the Bornean Orangutan endangered?
The main threats to the Bornean Orangutan are: Deforestation for palm oil, pulp and mining; Fires on drained peatland; Killing during crop conflict; Pet trade.
Who is working to save the Bornean Orangutan?
Organisations working on Bornean Orangutan conservation include World Wide Fund for Nature; Re:wild — Global Wildlife Conservation; TRAFFIC — Wildlife Trade Monitoring Network.