Endangered Species Guide : Mammals : Animal Planet

Endangered Mammals

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ORANGUTAN (Pongo pygmaeus)

The orangutan is a tree-dwelling primate that rarely ventures down to the ground. It has orange-red fur, long arms and handlike feet. Young orangutans cling to their mother as she navigates the forest canopy, feeding on fruit and other plant parts as well as honey, lizards, birds and eggs. Threats to the orangutan include hunting, loss of habitat and being captured for the illegal pet trade.

Learn how to symbolically adopt this animal at WWF.

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IUCN Status: Endangered
USFWS Status: Endangered
Major Threats: Hunting, habitat loss and the illegal pet trade
Habitat: Various tropical forest habitats
Location: Island of Borneo
Diet: Fruits and other plant parts; also honey, lizards, birds and eggs

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