Critically Endangered Animals

Sumatran Orangutan

• Distribution: Sumatra (Indonesia)
• Scientific name: Pongo abelii
• Number of animals: About 13,800

Interesting Facts

These orangutans live in the tropical rainforests and mountain forests on the island of Sumatra. The Sumatran orangutans have a lighter and redder coat than the orangutans that live on Borneo. At the beginning of the last century, 85,000 animals lived on Sumatra. In 2016 there were only approximately 13,800 left (as of November 2023; no more recent data available).

Threats to the Sumatran Orangutan

• Hunting
• Loss of habitat
• Illegal trade of young animals

Orangutan - Photo: Andrew Zarivny/Shutterstock

• Table of Contents:
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Amur Leopard
• 2. Mountain Gorilla
• 3. Hawksbill Sea Turtle
• 4. Black Rhinoceros
• 5. South China Tiger
• 6. Sumatran Orangutan
• 7. Yangtze Finless Porpoise
• 8. Javan Rhinoceros
• 9. Sumatran Tiger
• 10. Cross River Gorilla
• 11. Sumatran Rhinoceros
• 12. Sumatran Elephant
• 13. Angonoka Tortoise
• 14. Saola
• 15. Summary