The destruction of the rainforest is not
the only problem: A change of strategy is needed to save the Sumatran
orangutans
October 2012. The orangutans in Sumatra
are in danger of becoming extinct. Anthropologists from the University of
Zurich have proved that the Sumatran orangutan has suffered a drastic decrease
in population recently.
For the first time, they studied the
genetic make-up and migratory behaviour of these animals. They discovered that
the population is divided into several sub-populations which existed long
before the destruction of the rainforest, so they are of a geographic origin.
Some good news
While this population structure does not help preserve the species, there is some good news: Young male orangutans overcome their disadvantages with lengthy journeys. This finding leads to the discovery of a strategy that could save these critically endangered apes.
While this population structure does not help preserve the species, there is some good news: Young male orangutans overcome their disadvantages with lengthy journeys. This finding leads to the discovery of a strategy that could save these critically endangered apes.
Orangutans are the only large apes in
Asia and are mostly arboreal. There are two species orangutans, 1 in Sumatran
and 1 in Borneo: While the Borneo population lives in large sections of Borneo,
the Sumatran orangutan is only found at the northern tip of Sumatra. With a
current population of only around 6,600 Sumatra orangutans, a figure which is
dropping rapidly and constantly, this species is on the Red List of Threatened
Species.
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