Sumatran Orangutan

Pongo abelii

The orangutan belongs to the great apes, and as a forest-dweller it feels most at home among the treetops. Both species, Bornean Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and Sumatran Orangutans (Pongo abelii) – the latter can be seen at the Zoo Berlin – are heavily endangered as their natural habitat is shrinking at an alarming pace.

Athletic Forest Dwellers

Spend most of the time high up in the treetops. With their long arms spanning up to two meters and hook-like hands and feet they gracefully swing from branch to branch despite their weight of up to 100 kg.

Characteristics

  • Origin

    Asia, Indonesia, in the northwest of the island Sumatra (another species lives on Borneo)

  • Habitat

    tropical rainforest

  • Diet

    Leaves, flowers and fruit, for example durian, are their favourite food, occasionally also insects for protein.

  • Status

    On Borneo approx. 49,500
    On Sumatra approx. 7,300

  • Size

    100 to 140 cm stand height

  • Weight

    40 - 100 kg

  • Gestation period

    8 - 9 months

  • Achievable age

    approx. 35 - 45 years in human care

Threat Categories of IUCN

Mum's the Greatest

Orangutan mothers are very loving and maintain a close connection to their offspring. Children stay with their mothers for up to seven years – that's how long it takes before orangutans give birth again. Adult males are mostly solitary animals.

Brainy apes

Just because orangutans like to spend their time snoozing in the leafy canopy doesn’t mean they don’t have bright and active minds. The intelligence of these apes was long underestimated, but actually they are just as smart as chimpanzees and gorillas.

Did you know that ...

...Sumatran orangutans are principally threatened by the deforestation of rainforests,
...the calls of grown males can be heard from up to 8 km away
...and they build a new sleeping nest amidst the treetops every single day?

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Opening hours

Today, 5. November
9:00 - 16:30
Last admission: 15:30
Opening hours

Feedings & Trainings

  • Elephants 11:30
  • Chimpanzees 13:30
  • Orangutans/Bonobos 13:30
All feedings

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