Bornean Orang Utan - Sabah's Most Famous Resident
Perhaps more than any other animal, the Orang Utan is synonymous with Borneo. The Bornean Orang-utan is endemic to Borneo. Here it can be found in lowland and medium elevation rainforest. Due to deforestation and historical hunting it's range is now restricted to areas in eastern and central Sabah, parts of Sarawak and some areas in Indonesian Borneo.The Orang Utans appeal is instant. Look into an infant orang-utans face and it is like looking in to a child's eyes. Our facial expressions are mirror images and the depth of emotion and thought in their eyes is breath taking. We share over 96% of our DNA with orang-utans, so they may not be our closest relative but they are close enough.
The Orang Utan is primarily tree dwelling (it is the world's largest tree dwelling animal). It's forearms are 30% longer than its legs and both hands and feet are equally adept at gripping. They can travel large areas in one day foraging for food - on average around 1,000m a day.They are solitary creatures and will travel alone, except when with offspring. They sleep high in the canopy in nests and a new nest is built daily. A new spot for a nest is selected as evening approaches. The nest they build, by bending over branches, is often up to 1m wide. They will sleep alone, although mothers sleep with their offspring.
Female Orang utans breed for the first time between 12 - 15 years. Males become sexually mature at a similar age but will not be dominant enough to be chosen for mating at this age. A female Orang-utan is highly selective when choosing a partner to mate with. She is more likely to accept dominant males with fully developed cheek flanges and a throat pouch. These dominant males will call out to the females with a 'long call' which builds in to a roar-like crescendo as the male violently shakes nearby branches.
Females give birth to a single offspring every 7 - 8 years. Offspring do not become fully independent from their mother until they are at least seven years of age, sometimes as late as ten years. Whilst a female Orang Utan may live up to 40 years she will only produce maximum 4 surviving offspring in her lifetime. This is the slowest breeding rate of any primate - and why the Orang-utan population only recovers slowly.
In Sabah, Borneo there are a few of places where you may see Orang Utans:
- Sepilok Orang-utan Rehabilitation Centre - here you will have guaranteed sightings of this amazing ape.
- Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary - you may see a wild Orang Utan as you go on a river cruise late afternoon along the Kinabatangan River.
- Gomantong Caves Reserve - you may see them in the rain forest as you walk to / from the caves.
- Danum Valley - you may see them in the rain forest near the Borneo Rainforest Lodge
