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Primates
The Residents on the Trees
Thirteen species of primates, including borneon orangutans and proboscis monkeys, live in the Borneo rainforest. The sad news is these two native primate species of Borneo are endangered, listed in the IUCN red list. Impressively, they are the unsung heroes, playing pivotal roles in seed dispersal, which helps the forest's regeneration and ecological balance in the rainforests.
Taxonamy
Borneon Orangutan
Scientific name
Pongo pygmaeus
Size
Male: 0.97m
Female: 0.78m
Population
Decreasing
Type
Mammals
(Primate)
Weights
Male: 90 kg
Female: 50 kg
Habitat
Hilly and swampy tropical rainforests
Diet
Omnivores
Conservation Status
Critically endangered
Proboscis
Monkey
Scientific name
Nasalis larvatus
Size
Male: 56-72 cm
Female: 61-64 cm
Population
Decreasing
Type
Mammals
(Primate)
Weights
Male: 20 kg
Female: 10 kg
Habitat
coastal habitat and riverside
Diet
Omnivores
Conservation Status
Endangered
Fun facts!
Orangutans build a new nest each night using branches; they like to be comfortable!
Because they must search for huge quantities of fruit, which are scattered across the jungle, orangutans are solitary, contrasted to other great apes.
Male Bornean orangutans have an enlarged throat sac that helps them project "long-distance calls" through dense jungle, marking their turf. The distinctive "squeak-kiss" they make serves as a clear sign of their irritation.
They are cows of primates!
Even though they aren't strictly ruminants, proboscis monkeys have NINE chambers in their stomach, just like cattle.
While females' nostrils are smaller and more pointed, like human noses, males have long, thick noses.
Proboscis monkeys are top swimmers, often jumping from tree branches and landing in the water with a hilarious belly flop.
They outrun their predators, crocodiles, with the help of their webbed hands and feet.
Why are they endangered?
Illegal hunting. Both primate species are threatened mainly because of illegal hunting. Borneon Orangutans are hunted for meat, and Proboscis monkeys are targeted to extract bezoar stones in traditional Chinese medicine.
The Borneon orangutan is a slow-breeding species, while the proboscis monkey is usually lazy and easy to hunt. Because of their traits and the lack of awareness of people, the hunting rate has outreached the survival rate, making them endangered.
A 14-year-old male orangutan was discovered to have metal pellets from an air cannon buried in his body; he is undergoing medical examinations.
Habitat destruction. Their habitats are often for logging, conversion to agriculture or settlement use. In the end, they face habitat loss and struggle to survive.
Shoot them,
but with cameras.
How can humans help?
Ensure
sustainable
future
Primates' survival hinges on preserving huge protected forests, maintaining large populations to withstand fires and diseases, and ensuring diverse resources for adaptation.
Regionally, interaction zones surrounding protected forests should be defined by scientific land-use planning that considers socioeconomic, ecological, and hydrological factors. Core protected areas should ideally be connected to adjacent forests for sustainable wood usage.
This landscape-level strategy is essential to establishing habitats for primates that are viable.
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