Where they live
Once widespread throughout the forests of Asia, Orang-utans are now confined to just two islands; Sumatra and Borneo.
Survival threats
Habitat destruction and fragmentation, caused by logging, clearance for oil palm plantations and agriculture, are by far the greatest threats to these creatures.
Conservation status
Both Orang-utan species feature on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Sumatran species has been assessed as 'critically endangered' - meaning it faces an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
Conservation action
Protection of large areas of low level primary forest are needed to secure their long term future.
