100 Day Project: Tapanuli Orangutan
Day 9/100
Tapanuli orangutan
IUCN Status : Critically Endangered (population decreasing)
Tapanuli orangutans are the newest of the known orangutan species, having been first discovered in 1997 and after years of research described as a totally distinct great ape species in 2017. Found in only one ecosystem in Northern Sumatra, they are the most endangered of all the great apes (which consists of 8 species, including humans!). There’s several differences between them and their Sumatran and Bornean counterparts including thicker, curlier hair, flatter faces and a diet that includes plants that other orangutan species are not known to consume.
Did you know that
• Tapanuli orangutans can live up to 60 years old
• They are very slow breeders with females breeding only every 8-9 years
• Tapanuli orangutans are the first new great ape species since bonobos were described in 1929
Did you know about Tapanuli orangutans? I’ve got to admit I had no idea they were a totally distinct species until I started doing my research for this project!