Orangutans are extremely intelligent and powerfully strong. Adult males can have an arm reach of 8 feet. They often cover themselves with large leaves as protection from the sun or rain. Young orangutans stay with their mothers for up to eight years learning to become independent.

In their rainforest habitat orangutans eat wild fruits, leaves, and insects found high in the tree tops. Sumatran orangutans inhabit rainforests on the North end of the Island of Sumatra, Indonesia in Southeast Asia.

Zoo keepers provide enrichment for orangutans by giving them burlap sacks and hiding food in their exhibit or in puzzle feeders. Our female named Ibu likes to finger paint.

There are two types or species of orangutans, the Sumatran and the Bornean (Video of orangutans in the wild). The Sumatran is the rarest with an estimated wild population of only 7,300 animals. Scientists predict that unless the world wide demand for rainforest wood and palm oil can be brought under control very soon, orangutans in the wild will be extinct in 8-10 years. Biologist Michelle Merrill has set up an online petition to help stop a proposed road network that threatens high biodiversity areas in the Leuser Ecosystem, one of the most important conservation areas on Earth. Endangered Sumatran rhinos, tigers, orangutans and local people will suffer from illegal logging and floods triggered by the roads. To learn about other ways you can help orangutans:

1. Last Stand of the Orangutan Report published by the United Nations

2. Visit the following websites: