Meet the Gentle Red Ape
This is the amazing and endangered orangutan. There are only about 30,000 left in the world.
The name orangutan means"forest person" because the native peoples thought they were people hiding in the trees to get out of doing their work. They live high in the trees on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Orangutans have everything they need in the tree tops so they never have to come out of the trees.
They are omnivores meaning they eat plants and insects. Bark, leaves, and bugs are part of their diet. But they also like a really stinky, fruit that looks like a spiky ball with bananas inside that is called durian.
Orangutans are disappearing because loggers are chopping down the forest trees where they live. This is called deforestation. They are also disappearing because mothers are killed so poachers can steal the babies and sell them for a lot of money as part of the pet trade. When they get too big, though, they are usually killed or abandoned.
Some people think this is cool, but I think it's cruel!
For more information on how can you help, check out these websites.
I love your blog animalgirl! Fantastic job and very informative. Looking forward to your next one! Kathy
ReplyDeleteThis is an AWESOME site Animal Girl! I'm a big fan already. Check out this episode of Nature (a TV show on PBS) called "The Last Orangutan Eden". It's sad, but hopeful because great people like you care!
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It is amazing that at 11 years old, you have started this blog and working to save endangered animals. You should be so very proud of yourself! Good work. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
ReplyDeleteYour blog is very insightful. You had encouraged me to see if I could find any. So thanks to you, I found out that there are 4 categories...vulnerable, endangered, critically endangered, and extinct. I did not realize this. So thank you Animal Girl for informing us and helping us to learn more. :)
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ReplyDeleteIt is sad that orangutans are being treated in this horrible way. I look forward to a time when they are appreciated for the beautiful creatures that they are!
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