Photo: Orangutan Pictures

The Orangutan is a highly endangered animals, why? ... Human involvement of course!

The countries of origin for the Orangutan is Borneo and Sumatra where they would normally dwell on small patches of rainforest, mountain forest, and swamps.

Orangutans are highly endangered for several reasons namely: through habitat destruction (for timber products, houses, and farmland), uncontrolled burn-off of forests resulting in orphaned babies, a thriving industry for baby Orangutans being taken for the pet trade, and the selling of skulls and other bones to tourists.

A dominant males territory may cover several kilometres but up to 10 individuals may occupy a single kilometre. A male will let others know that it's 'his' territory by callling loudly - females are welcome but mature males are not and will be told to leave!

Huge hands with long powerful fingers enable the Orangutan to make tools from twigs, which are useful for gathering honey or termites and other insects from termite mounds and under bark. ... continue below the picture...

This picture is part of the photo album "Animal Pictures" - there are more beautiful images waiting for you.

... 60% of the Orangutans diet is fruit including durians, figs, mangoes, rambutans, and lychees. Nuts, termites, bark, leaves, honey, and birds' eggs also supplement their diet.

The Orangutan is generally a solitary animal, apart from a short courtship and mating, males spend little time with the females and no time with their children. Females with young form small social groups.

Orang-utan baby, Pongo pygmaeus, at the Auckland Zoo, Auckland, North Island, New Zealand.