International Orangutan Day 2023: Date, History, Facts about Orangutan

On August 19, International Orangutan Day, we demonstrate our support for orangutans. This day is intended to inspire individuals to take action to protect this incredible animal in the environment. Because they share 97% of their DNA with humans, it’s not surprising that orangutans are intelligent. This may explain why ‘orangutan’ means ‘forest inhabitant’ in English.

The background of International Orangutan Day

It is uncertain what year International Orangutan Day was established. However, the day is observed to save species on the verge of extinction. The purpose of International Orangutan Day is to bring attention to the plight of this species, which is now classified as critically endangered. Orangutans have existed for centuries and are believed to be the progenitors of gorillas. They are large primates that spend the majority of their time in trees, are exclusive to the jungles of Borneo and Sumatra, and were formerly believed to be the same species.

Additional research indicates that they are two distinct species that diverged approximately 400,000 years ago. Orangutans have immense arms that reach approximately seven feet from tip to tip, which is remarkable given that they only stand approximately five feet tall. When orangutans stand upright, their palms are nearly parallel to the ground. Their long arms complement their arboreal lifestyle, allowing them to travel from tree to tree and build shelters out of the canopy’s enormous leaves. Because orangutans spend 90% of their time searching for sustenance in the treetops, deforestation is extremely detrimental to them. The majority of orangutans are herbivores, but omnivorous orangutans will consume bark, insects, and even flesh if available.

The tropical rainforest was devastated due to the improper management of the farms. In addition, the farmers view orangutans as a nuisance and either slaughter them or destroy the forest. Since 2006, there have been only 20,000 survivors, but there should be more now. Therefore, deforestation is the primary reason for the survival of such a small number of orangutans, and if it persists, the big apes will become extinct sooner. Celebrating International Orangutan Day can assist in increasing the likelihood that this endangered species will be rescued.

Unfortunately, humans pose the greatest hazard to orangutan survival. For example, deforestation threatens their habitat. Additionally, illegal hunting annually claims the lives of 3,000 orangutans. Some wildlife experts predict that the orangutan will become extinct in the wild within the next fifty years. Despite this, a number of organisations are striving to preserve orangutans. Among these organisations are the Centre for Orangutan Protection, the Sumatran Orangutan Society, The Orangutan Project, Orangutan Outreach, and the Humane Society.

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5 ORANGUTAN FACTS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND

The natives of Borneo and Sumatra witnessed a hairy, crimson chimpanzee swinging from branch to branch in the lush, verdant forests of Indonesia.

97% of our DNA is shared with orangutans, making them one of our closest relatives.

In captivity, these fascinating apes can live for 50 to 60 years, and in the wild, they can survive for 30 to 40 years.

Orangutans, unlike chimpanzees, gorillas, and bonobos, do not prefer to reside in groups; females typically have one or two offspring, while males prefer to be alone.

A man’s limbs can span seven feet from fingertip to fingertip.

INTERNATIONAL ORANGUTAN DAY DATES

Year	Date	Day
2023	August 19	Saturday
2024	August 19	Monday
2025	August 19	Tuesday
2026	August 19	Wednesday
2027	August 19	Thursday