You read the headline right. The Bornean orangutan population was sliced in half in just 16 years. Most species that have seen such a drastic drop in number have not been able to recover in the past. But, will the orangutan?

About the Bornean Orangutan

If you are a fan of the orangutan, you probably know they are the closest relatives to humans. We share 97% of the same DNA. In many cases, the species has demonstrated culture and evolution. The Bornean orangutan, for instance, has been known to use leaves to wipe their chin when eating. (They’re pretty cute.)

The Decline of the Orangutan Population

Over the past 16 years or so, the Bornean orangutan population has been steadily declining. A team of researchers calculated the population of orangutans had declined by 148,500 between the years 1999 and 2015. They predict another 45,000 orangutans will be lost over the next 35 years.

To determine the decline in populations, head researchers Maria Voigt and Serge Wich, along with 38 team members, compiled data from field surveys that occurred over the 16-year period. Each field study counted how many orangutan nests were observed at that time. Over time, the number of nests being observed has declined significantly. The island of Borneo is spread across Indonesia, Brunei, and Malaysia.

One of the major driving factors behind the decline in the species’ population is hunting. In Borneo, the orangutan has been hunted for its meat. Because the animal is so common in Borneo, many have been killed simply for being in someone’s garden or startling someone. These occasional killings can help lead to their extinction.

Similar to many other endangered species, the orangutan has also been put in danger because of deforestation. The island of Borneo has greatly suffered from deforestation. Because the Bornean orangutan mostly finds homes in the jungle, this has contributed to the decline as well.

“The decline in population density was most severe in areas that were deforested or transformed for industrial agriculture, as orangutans struggle to live outside forest areas,” said Voigt. “Worryingly, however, the largest number of orangutans were lost from areas that remained forested during the study period. This implies a large role of killing.”

Will the Orangutans Make It?

Voigt, Wich, and their team are optimistic about the Bornean orangutan population. The researchers believe if people are educated about the species and preserving the habitat in which they live, the species may have a fighting chance. It will also be important to educate people about the species and let them know they mean no harm so that fewer killings occur.

Both Indonesia and Malaysia are currently working to put plans into action for orangutan conservation. Neither country has had much success with conservation efforts in the past. However, they are currently working on developing new strategies to help save the species.

“Orangutans are flexible and can survive to some extent in a mosaic of forests, plantations, and logged forest, but only when they are not killed,” Wich stated. “So, in addition to protection of forests, we need to focus on addressing the underlying causes of orangutan killing. The latter requires public awareness and education, more effective law enforcement, and also more studies as to why people kill orangutans in the first place.”

Voigt and Wich agree only time will tell the fate of the Bornean orangutan. However, both researchers agree that in addition to better regulations, more research is needed to know why the species is dying.

Do you think the Bornean orangutan can be saved? To learn more about the species and how you can help visit the WWF.org.

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