Orangutans of Borneo
- devanandpaul
- 17 hours ago
- 4 min read
Join me in Borneo to see wild orangutans at Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre and learn about their fascinating behaviours and the conservation efforts to protect these great apes.
Orang utan, meaning ‘man of the forest’ in Malay, lives deep in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra (Southeast Asia). In 1712, Captain Daniel Beeckman of the East India Company called it ‘the most remarkable animal’ he had ever seen. When Europeans first saw a drawing of it, they were astonished; it was a time when people believed humans were very different from animals, and this picture of orangutan surprised them. Beeckman’s sketch, although not perfect, became Europe’s first real glimpse of this forest dweller.
It was a great feeling to see orangutans in the wild in Borneo after years of reading about them and watching documentaries on them. Their calm, intelligent eyes and gentle movements render them look almost human. In this blog, I share my experience watching them in the wild and some interesting facts about these apes.
Gomantong Caves
My first encounter with a wild orangutan happened at Gomantong Caves near Sandakan (Sabah, Borneo). One evening during my trip I visited the caves just to watch bats—thousands of them—fly out to feed. As I looked up towards the cave opening, I spotted an orangutan standing on a tree, feeding and watching its surroundings.
Up Close at Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre
A few days later, while I was on the canopy walkway at Sepilok Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC), five orangutans appeared, leaping effortlessly from branch to branch, their fiery red coats glowing in the dappled sunlight. They paused to look at me with curious eyes; a young male, in particular, tilted his head and studied me for several seconds, as if weighing my intentions.
For a few suspended minutes, the forest appeared to belong to both of us—I wasn’t the only one watching; I was being watched as well. That encounter left me curious about these beings.
What Is an Orangutan?
Orangutan is the only great ape found in Asia.
Before the arrival of humans in Borneo, orangutans lived across most of Borneo’s lowland forests. In the richest habitats they still thrive at a density of about two per square kilometre. Even in logged or damaged areas they can survive—so long as they are not hunted.
Arboreal Masters
The largest tree-dwelling animal and the most arboreal of the great apes, orangutans share nearly 97% of our DNA. Almost every evening they build fresh nests for sleeping using branches and leaves. Highly intelligent, they use tools in clever ways: sticks to flush out termites or extract insects and honey from tree holes, leaves as umbrellas, twigs to harvest seeds from thorny fruits.
Feeding in a Forest of Plenty and Scarcity
During rare ‘masting’ events (typically occurring every 3–5 years after a drought) when trees produce abundantly, orangutans feast on ripe fruits, their preferred food. When the forest is lean, however, they turn to figs, young leaves, bark, and sometimes insects, eggs, honey, or small mammals.
The Call That Marks Territory
Orangutans are generally silent. However, flanged adult males, with their large cheek pads (flanges) and a big pendulous throat pouch signalling strength, make long, resonant calls that can carry over for 2 kilometres. The 3-minute sound begins with bubbling notes, rises into deep groans, and ends with a roar. These calls attract females and warn rival males to stay away.
Long Childhood
Female orangutans have the longest breeding interval among all mammals—they give birth once every 7–8 years. Infants cling to their mothers for the first 2 years and gradually explore their surroundings 5 years onward, gaining full independence between 7 and 9.
This slow upbringing allows youngsters to learn the complex skills of forest life: nest building, identifying edible plants, and moving safely among treetops.
Cousins Across the Sea
Bornean and Sumatran orangutans split about 400,000 years ago. Sumatran orangutans are slimmer, paler, and more sociable (often sharing knowledge of tool use), compared with the Bornean orangutans. Size difference between sexes is dramatic—flanged males can weigh twice as much as females, a trait driven largely by female preference for strong, dominant partners.
History Documented by Fossils
Fossils show that orangutans once lived across Asia, from southern China to Java. A thousand years ago, Borneo alone may have had over a million orangutans. Today, fewer than 60,000 remain, making them critically endangered.
Their decline is human-made. Deforestation, logging, mining, fragmentation by roads, and the relentless spread of palm oil plantations have destroyed much of their habitat. Hunting and illegal pet trade are also a big problem.
Conservation: A Fragile Hope
Despite their decline, hope persists. Rehabilitation centres like the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre rescue and release orangutans, protect forests, educate locals, and attract ecotourists. Revenue from visitor fees directly helps fund the care of orangutans and supports the local communities that protect them.
A Dream Fulfilled, a Responsibility Ahead
Seeing orangutans in the wild was a dream come true. As travellers, wildlife photographers, and dreamers, we should not stop with witnessing these wonders; we should advocate for their conservation and create awareness.
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Thanks for a well written account of orangutans facing an existential threat they are facing because of human activities. We should not destroy what we can not restore. We should reduce our needs and let all creatures thrive and we should understand that we share a common destiny with all creatures. Otherwise we too will perish.