Bornean Orangutan

Meaning “man of the forest” in the local language, orangutans are tree-dwelling omnivores, primarily eating fruit, as well as bark, shoots, and occasionally eggs and small vertebrates. Their survival is crucial to keeping forests healthy, as they facilitate the germination of over 500 types of plants passing through their digestive system. They also literally create light in their environment through their long arms and feet grasping and breaking branches, opening up the forest canopy for plants to grow. Like all great apes, orangutans have large brains and are intelligent, self-aware, and capable of reasoning.