Borneo (Kalimantan), an island rich in biodiversity, holds various amazing endemic wildlife species. One of them is the Orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), an intelligent and charismatic primate that has become an icon for knowing the wildlife of Indonesia. Learning more about Orangutans will open our eyes to the importance of nature conservation and the survival of this endangered species.
According to data from the East Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), in mid-2025, the Orangutan population in the wild continues to be under pressure due to habitat loss and illegal hunting. The Head of BKSDA East Kalimantan, Mr. Didik Suprayitno, S.Hut., M.Si., in a press conference in Samarinda on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, stated that conservation efforts for knowing the Orangutan wildlife require cooperation from various parties, including the government, the community, and non-governmental organizations. “Public education and awareness about the importance of knowing the Orangutan wildlife and its habitat are the main keys to conservation success,” he said.
Orangutans are known as arboreal animals, meaning they mostly live in trees. They have long and strong arms and flexible fingers, making it easy for them to move from one tree to another. The main food of Orangutans is fruit, but they also eat leaves, tree bark, and insects. The intelligence of Orangutans is also very impressive; they are able to use simple tools to find food and build comfortable nests in trees every night. Knowing the Orangutan wildlife more closely will reveal their unique social behaviour and the strong family bonds between mothers and offspring.
The Chief of the East Kalimantan Regional Police, Inspector General Pol. Drs. Imam Sugianto, M.Si., through the Head of Public Relations of the East Kalimantan Police, Commissioner Pol. Yusuf Sutejo, S.I.K., M.H., on Thursday, May 1, 2025, conveyed the police’s commitment to eradicating the poaching and illegal trade of wildlife, including Orangutans. He emphasized that strict action will be taken against environmental criminals who threaten the existence of this endemic knowing the wildlife of Borneo. “We are working with BKSDA and other related agencies to protect this knowing the wildlife that is the pride of the nation,” he said.
Knowing the Orangutan wildlife further will foster a sense of care for the preservation of Borneo’s nature. As one of the most intelligent primates in the world, the existence of Orangutans is very important for the balance of the forest ecosystem. Sustainable conservation efforts are our shared responsibility to ensure that future generations can also continue to know this amazing wildlife.