Today is International Orangutan Day and we are celebrating Asia’s only great ape. 

Orangutans were once distributed widely across south east Asia, but today are confined to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. All three species, Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli, are critically endangered, under threat from deforestation, poaching and the pet trade.

As the largest tree-living mammal, orangutans spend over 90% of their lives high up in the forest canopy and sleep in nests built from folded branches and leaves. Over the last three decades it is estimated they have lost 80% of their habitat due to logging, palm oil production, mining and agricultural expansion.

Timtom was kept illegally as a pet before she was rescued by the Born Free-supported Orangutan Foundation at nine months old. Infant orangutans would naturally stay with their mothers for up to eight years, so Timtom has much to learn, such as what to eat and how to interact with other orangutans.

When she is ready, Timtom will be released back into the wild to help establish a healthy and viable population. You can help support her, and other orangutans at the foundation, by adopting Timtom today. 

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Photos: Orangutan Foundation, georgelogan.co.uk