One of the most charismatic species of the rainforests of south-east Asia is the orangutan. The orangutan is the only wild species of Great Ape found in Asia, with the remaining three, gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos, found in Africa. Until 1996, the orangutan was considered one individual species. However, since then the species has been divided into three subspecies, which include the Borneon, Sumatran, and Tapanuli Orangutan.
Historically, the orangutan’s range spread across southeast Asia and south China. Now, the species is found in fragmented populations scattered across the Borneon and Sumatran rainforests. The species, unfortunately, is on the brink of extinction, with all three subspecies classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List. Habitat loss, driven by the rampant expansion of palm oil plantations, is the primary threat to these ecological engineers. The bushmeat trade also looms large on the species.
In this episode of The Think Wildlife Podcast, I interview Michelle Desilets, the Executive Director of the Orangutan Land Trust to discuss the future and conservation of the charismatic Great Ape.
Episode 59: The Future of Orangutan Conservation, Michelle Desilets, Executive Director, Orangutan Land Trust