Orangutan Facts: 12 Things to Know About Borneo’s Great Ape

Orangutans are among the most remarkable animals on earth — gentle, intelligent and startlingly like us. Before you meet them on a Borneo river cruise, here are the orangutan facts worth knowing, from their surprising DNA to the threats they face and how you can help. As a local Indonesian team that’s guided travellers to see them since 2006, we’ve gathered the essentials.

Planning to see them in the wild? Start with our Tanjung Puting orangutan tour guide.

1. Their Name Means “Person of the Forest”

“Orangutan” comes from the Malay and Indonesian words orang (person) and hutan (forest). Spend a few minutes watching one, and the name makes perfect sense.

2. They Share About 97% of Our DNA

Orangutans are one of our closest living relatives. That shared genetic heritage shows in their expressive faces, their problem-solving and their tender parenting.

3. They Live in Only Two Places on Earth

Wild orangutans are found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Nowhere else. That makes every encounter genuinely rare and precious.

4. There Are Three Species

Scientists recognise three species: the Bornean, the Sumatran, and the recently identified Tapanuli orangutan of northern Sumatra. All are endangered, and the Tapanuli is among the rarest great apes alive.

5. The Males Grow Distinctive Cheek Pads

Mature dominant males develop wide cheek flanges and a throat pouch for their long calls, and can weigh up to around 80kg. Females are roughly half that size.

6. They Are Master Tree-Builders

Every single night, an orangutan builds a fresh sleeping nest high in the trees, weaving branches and leaves into a comfortable bed. It’s a skill passed from mother to young.

7. Mothers Are Incredibly Devoted

Orangutan mothers raise their babies for around seven years — one of the longest childhoods in the animal kingdom. A female may have only two or three offspring in her whole life, which is part of why the species recovers so slowly.

8. They Are Mostly Solitary

Unlike many apes, adult orangutans largely live alone, roaming the forest in search of fruit. This makes wild sightings special, and is why feeding camps are such a reliable place to see them.

9. They’re Brilliant Problem-Solvers

Orangutans use tools, remember the locations of fruiting trees across huge areas, and have been seen using leaves as umbrellas and gloves. Their intelligence is well documented.

10. They’re Critically Endangered

Habitat loss — especially clearing rainforest for palm oil — is the greatest threat. Populations have fallen sharply, which is why protected parks like Tanjung Puting are so vital.

11. One Woman Changed Their Story

In 1971, primatologist Dr. Biruté Galdikas arrived in Borneo and founded Camp Leakey in Tanjung Puting. Her decades of research and rehabilitation transformed how the world understands and protects orangutans.

12. Responsible Tourism Helps Protect Them

Visiting orangutans the right way funds their protection and gives them an alternative to raiding farmland. By choosing responsible trips, avoiding palm-oil products where you can, and supporting trusted conservation groups, you become part of the solution.

See Them for Yourself

There’s nothing like meeting an orangutan in the wild — a quiet, humbling moment you’ll never forget. We arrange every detail of a responsible Borneo encounter, so you can simply be present for it.

Tell us your dates and we’ll craft the perfect private trip. Message us anytime on WhatsApp, or browse our Borneo orangutan tours. As always, we’re happy to share a local’s advice — whether you book with us or not.