Pongo abelii

(Lesson, 1827)

Vernacular names
English : Sumatran orangutan
French : Orang-outan de Sumatra

Classification
Class : Mammalia
Order : Primata
Family : Hominidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
Adults can reach a body length of 99 cm for a weight up to 100 kg, males being much bigger than females. Body hairs are long, thin and light orange-brown in color. Prominent orange beard and moustaches. Smaller cheek flanges.

Range and habitat
The species only occurs in Indonesia and is endemic to the north-west areas of Sumatra (Aceh and north Sumatra provinces). Lives in primary lowland and montane rainforest, swamp forests, up to 1500 m.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : CRITICALLY ENDANGERED
CITES : Appendix I
Status : The species is steeply declining because of deforestation, conversion of forests for palm oil plantations and poaching, even in protected areas.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America, EEP in Europe

Observation

 

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