The orangutan is the only great ape native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia.
Orangutans live naturally on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra, with a third species, the Tapanuli orangutan, recognized on Sumatra. They spend more time in trees than any other great ape, using long arms and strong hands to move through the canopy and search for fruit, leaves, bark, and insects.
Their name comes from Malay and Indonesian words meaning “person of the forest.” Unlike gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos, which are native to Africa, orangutans are Asian great apes. They are generally more solitary than the other great apes, and mothers maintain close bonds with their young for years.
Rainforest clearing for agriculture, logging, fires, and hunting has sharply reduced orangutan habitat. Palm-oil production is often discussed in conservation efforts, although the broader issue is the conversion and fragmentation of forest landscapes.