Sumatra is a large island that belongs to Indonesia. It is partly covered with one of the most diverse rainforests in the world, which is home to the family of Sumatran Orangutans. The word Orangutan is derived from the Malay phrase for “person of the forest”. Imagine, most female Orangutans never touch the ground in their lives. They spend all their time high up in the crowns of the trees (WWF). 

One of their favourite foods are figs. In some corners of the island those are so abundant, that whole groups of Orangutans come together for big feasts (WWF). 

Sadly, these great apes are critically endangered, because they have lost and are still losing vast areas of their habitat to illegal logging and palm-oil plantations (IUCN Red List). Nevertheless, there is hope for the Orangutan, because the world has started to recognize the importance of the tropical rainforest of Sumatra. 2.5 million hectares have been designated to be UNESCO Tropical Rainforest Heritage. This can help to save their home and the habitat of many more animals, plants and insects.

Write up by Charlotte Walter

IUCN Red List, https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/121097935/123797627#threats
UNESCO, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1167/
WWF, https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sumatran-orangutan