As you've probably seen in the news, there has been a new orangutan species discovered to add to the Sumatran and Bornean orangutans! This is a really exciting discovery but brings about the importance of conservation because the 'new' Tapanuli orangutan is actually the rarest of the great ape species as there are only ~800 individuals living in a very small area - the Batang Toru Forest. So, how has it only just been discovered that there is an additional species? A recent case of an injured orangutan found in Tapanuli allowed the new species to be discovered. The injuries were more than likely due to a common case of inhumanity by humans, as cuts were found over his body and air rifle pellets inside. The poor thing unfortunately died and so a full examination of the body was completed and significant differences in skull shape were found.
Before their genomes were sequenced, it was thought that the Tapanuli orangutans were actually just the Sumatran species. But now, we understand them to be more closely related to the Bornean orangutan (Strange, right?) and they are the oldest species of orangutan. So we think that the Tapanuli species colonised Sumatra first and eventually they split into 2 groups as some individuals moved to the North. Some of the original population of the Tapanuli then travelled to Borneo (simple because there wasn't a sea separating them at the time). There was also a volcanic eruption which destroyed surrounding forest, and caused the Tapanuli and Sumatran species to become physically separated. Over evolutionary time, these have now become three entirely different species. It is so, so important that we preserve the existence of these species - all 3 of them. But because we humans so badly desire more than what we already have, we have been destroying the habitats of the orangutan by building roads that can isolate them and killing them because of crop conflict or by deforestation. We hear so much about these kinds of things yet nobody ever seems to make a stance strong enough to stop a road being built or more likely, because humans are a danger to the planet and they just don't seem to care. Furthermore, illegal orangutan trade is a major issue because so many people think they'd make an adorable pet to show off to their friends when they're babies but they are not a pet for a reason - they grow huge. They then tend to get abandoned or are used in entertainment - boxing matches or forced to drink alcohol or smoke (absolutely sickening, I know). Simply put, it's torture. I was lucky enough to see a fantastic sanctuary for orangutans (Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre) whilst I was in Borneo where they have an environment as close to the wild as possible so that they can eventually be re-released when they are ready. It makes you realise how very desperate we are for more caring people like this to help our wildlife! ©
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![]() To begin, I thought it would only be right to start with the place that made me fall in love with nature the most. In the summer of 2015, I embarked on a 4-week expedition to Borneo with a company called 'Camps International'. The main purpose of this expedition was to complete projects for the local communities within the Sabah region of Borneo as well as assisting with ecological work - particularly along the Kinabatangan River. As part of this, we would spend almost a week living in the jungle; with hammocks as our main source of comfort (trust me - they do not make a good night's sleep!) and the occasional drink of squash, as opposed to water, becoming our kind of luxury. I was absolutely petrified thinking about this jungle experience; I was scared of spiders, worried about living with only a hole in the ground for a toilet and simply delving into the unknown left me a bit apprehensive itself. However, how would I have known that this would, hands down, be the best experience of my life? It began in the jungle by putting up our hammocks, checking out the showers - a bucket with a bit of tarpaulin (thank goodness for swimming costumes!) and quickly getting ready for a sunset boat trip along the river. It was during this boat ride that I saw the true perfection of nature - something which brought me very close to tears. Our first sighting of animals along the river came from a troop of long-tailed macaques. We learnt how these primates position themselves at the waterside during the day but climb high up into the trees during the night. The main reason being to escape predators such as clouded leopards and crocodiles during the night but to access food in the day. As they are also known as 'crab-eating macaques', this would probably explain this habitat. There were approximately 20 macaques in this troop (that could be sighted) but our guide told us how they can be as large as 80 individuals. The long-tailed macaque is a species known to many as being a pest. You've probably seen clips of them stealing fruit from markets so can understand why! But seeing them in this environment puts them into a completely different light - they're simply an extended family trying to survive and look out for each other in what is becoming an even harsher world for them to live in. Pretty similar to us, would you not agree? These primates are one of the hardiest animals to overcome the effects of climate change and deforestation, so I believe that people are going to be seeing much more of these in the future. What upsets me however, is that certain people will think themselves superior to these macaques so will harm them if they disrupt their business etc, yet it is our fault that they've had to find new habitats in the first place. During the sunset boat ride, as well as during sunrise when we were treated to another trip, we also spotted oriental-pied & Asian black hornbills, proboscis monkeys, a collared kingfisher and a whole host of absolutely stunning views! It was just an absolutely fabulous experience and I would highly recommend it to anybody looking to visit some exotic wildlife; Borneo is the place to be. © |
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