Every year on August 19th, it’s World Orangutan Day. Together we celebrate the enigmatic and intelligent orangutans of Indonesia and Malaysia. These flame coloured primates with soulful eyes are more than just symbols of wild beauty; they are crucial architects of their rainforest ecosystems. By dispersing seeds and fostering the growth of new plants, they help maintain the delicate balance of their forest habitats. To honour this day, download your free infographic which outlines the cruel history of the palm oil industry and its impact on orangutans and indigenous peoples.
However, as we honour orangutans on this special day, we must also confront the grim reality: all three species of orangutans are perilously close to extinction. The rapid expansion of industrial palm oil plantations, roads, and other developments has fragmented their habitats, bringing them into closer contact with poachers and farmers, who often kill them in retaliation for crop damage.
Below, we delve into some of the most fascinating scientific studies on orangutans in recent years. These studies reveal their extraordinary intelligence of the amber apes, our close evolutionary cousins. This research underscores why it’s absolutely critical we protect them. Finally, discover how you can contribute to their survival by making mindful choices when you shop.
The Language of Orangutans: More Than Just Sounds
Orangutans have a remarkable ability to communicate through a complex system of vocalisations and gestures, as highlighted by a study using machine learning to decode these behaviours (Erb et al., 2024). The findings are astounding, revealing over 200 distinct sounds and a variety of gestures that orangutans use to convey a range of emotions and information.
These communication methods are vital for orangutans’ social interactions, making it clear that preserving their habitats is not just about saving trees—it’s about ensuring that these rich social structures can continue to flourish.
The Ingenious Use of Tools
Orangutans’ cognitive abilities are on full display when they use tools to solve problems in their environment. One study documented orangutans in Sumatra using sticks to extract insects from tree bark and leaves to shield themselves from rain (Motes-Rodrigo et al., 2022). This behaviour not only demonstrates their intelligence but also suggests that these skills are passed down from one generation to the next, much like human cultural traditions.
Preserving their habitats is essential for allowing these incredible creatures to continue to develop and pass on their innovative behaviours.
Self-Medication: Orangutans as Healers
In an extraordinary display of their knowledge of the natural world, orangutans have been observed using plants with medicinal properties to treat their own injuries. Researchers documented instances of orangutans applying chewed leaves to their skin to relieve pain (Laumer et al., 2024).
This behaviour reveals the orangutans’ deep connection to their environment and their ability to use its resources for self-care. Protecting their habitats is not only crucial for their survival but also for preserving the biodiversity that supports such vital natural remedies.
Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan. Scientific Reports, 2024; 14 (1) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58988-7
Playful Teasing: A Sign of Social Complexity
Like humans, orangutans engage in playful behaviours, including teasing games that help young orangutans develop social skills and bond with one another. A study found that all four great ape species, including orangutans, engage in playful teasing, suggesting that the origins of humour may go back millions of years (Laumer et al., 2024).
This finding highlights the emotional intelligence of orangutans and underscores the need to protect their social groups and habitats, ensuring they can continue to thrive in their natural environment.
Roundly Failing Orangutans: The Myth of ‘Sustainable’ Palm Oil
Despite claims of sustainability, the palm oil industry continues to drive deforestation and habitat destruction. Reports from organisations like the Environmental Investigation Agency, Greenpeace, Global Witness, World Rainforest Movement, Grain, Rainforest Action Network, Associated Press, Channel 4 UK, Neue Zuercher Zeitung, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) along with dozens of peer-reviewed research papers have exposed the industry’s greenwashing tactics, revealing that certifications like the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) fail to protect orangutan habitats. Many of these research papers and reports are available to read on the Palm Oil Detectives website and also in this extensive Twitter thread. (Palm Oil Detectives, 2024).
By raising awareness of these issues and using our wallets as weapons, together we can advocate for real conservation solutions that prioritise the needs of orangutans and the ecosystems they call home.
Take Action: Stand with Orangutans
The most effective way to support orangutans is to boycott products containing palm oil and animal products. By opting for plant-based and palm oil-free alternatives, you can reduce the demand for industries that threaten orangutans’ survival. Visit the Palm Oil Detectives website to learn more about palm oil free brands to support and brands to boycott.
Empowering indigenous communities is also essential in the fight to protect rainforests. Supporting organisations like WAHLI and the World Rainforest Movement helps uphold indigenous rights and their role as stewards of the land.
Finally, raise awareness on social media using hashtags like #Boycott4Wildlife and #BoycottPalmOil, and consider donating to organisations working tirelessly to protect orangutans and their habitats.
As we celebrate International Orangutan Day, let us commit to safeguarding the future of these magnificent creatures by using our wallets as weapons and boycotting palm oil! By understanding their unique abilities and taking action against the palm oil industry’s destructive practices, we can fight for their survival.
References
Alba Motes-Rodrigo, Shannon P. McPherron, Will Archer, R. Adriana Hernandez-Aguilar, Claudio Tennie. Experimental investigation of orangutans’ lithic percussive and sharp stone tool behaviours. PLOS ONE, 2022; 17 (2): e0263343 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0263343
Erb, W. M., Ross, W., Kazanecki, H., Setia, T. M., Madhusudhana, S., & Clink, D. J. (2024). Vocal complexity in the long calls of Bornean orangutans. PeerJ, 12, Article e17320. https://peerj.com/articles/17320
Isabelle B. Laumer, Arif Rahman, Tri Rahmaeti, Ulil Azhari, Hermansyah, Sri Suci Utami Atmoko, Caroline Schuppli. Active self-treatment of a facial wound with a biologically active plant by a male Sumatran orangutan. Scientific Reports, 2024; 14 (1) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-58988-7
Laumer I.B., Winkler S, Rossano F, Cartmill EA. Spontaneous playful teasing in four great ape species. Proceedings of the Royal Society B, 2024 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2023.2345
Palm Oil Detectives. (2024). Great news: Apes have a sense of humour. Palm Oil Detectives. Retrieved from https://palmoildetectives.com/2024/03/17/great-news-apes-have-a-sense-of-humour-and-they-enjoy-teasing-each-other/
Palm Oil Detectives. (2022). Roundtable on sustainable palm oil: 19 years is enough. Palm Oil Detectives. Retrieved from https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/12/17/roundtable-on-sustainable-palm-oil-19-years-is-enough/
Palm Oil Detectives. (2023). Certification and ecolabels: Dubious sustainability. Palm Oil Detectives. Retrieved from https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/06/18/certification-ecolabels-dubious-sustainability-30-years-of-deceit-and-violence/
University of Michigan. (2023). Palm oil deforestation in Guatemala. Palm Oil Detectives. Retrieved from https://palmoildetectives.com/2023/07/26/palm-oil-deforestation-in-guatemala-certifying-products-as-sustainable-is-no-panacea-university-of-michigan/
Previously Published on Palm Oil Detectives
