Why is it in the news?

• In Indonesia, an orangutan named Rakus utilized the medicinal plant Akar Kuning to aid in wound healing, showcasing their remarkable ability to utilize natural remedies.

About Orangutan

• Named “man of the forest” in Malay, orangutans have ape-like features with shaggy reddish fur and grasping hands and feet.
• They are the largest arboreal mammals, spending most of their time in trees.
• Orangutans share 96.4% of human genes, displaying high intelligence.
• Three species exist: Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli, each differing slightly in appearance and behavior.
• Orangutans can inhabit areas up to 1,500m above sea level, with a preference for lowland forests in river valleys or floodplains. They are found exclusively in the wild on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
• Orangutans predominantly consume fruits like mangoes, lychees, and figs, supplemented with young leaves, flowers, insects, and small mammals.
• All three orangutan species are critically endangered according to the IUCN Red List.
• Orangutans are crucial for forest health, functioning as “gardeners of the forest” by dispersing seeds and maintaining ecosystem balance, benefiting various species including tigers, Asian elephants, and Sumatran rhinos.
• Deforestation and hunting pose significant threats to orangutans, resulting in habitat loss and population decline.