The Sumatran Orangutan
The meaning of the word “Orang Utan” itself is quite magical. It comes from the Malay language and translates to “Orangutan.”
With a 97% genetic similarity, as the name suggests, orangutans are most likely relatives of humans.
Orangutans are listed as endangered. In the past, Sumatran orangutans were spread across all of Sumatra and even to Java. Today, this species only exists in North Sumatra and Aceh.
Although hunting is still a threat to orangutans, the single biggest threat is the loss of habitat due to deforestation. It is clear that palm oil plantations are killing orangutans and so much of Sumatra’s wildlife.
Orangutans are frugivores, meaning they mainly eat fruit. If orangutans disappear, several tree species will also disappear, especially those with larger seeds, because orangutans play an important role in dispersing seeds across large areas.
Sumatran orangutans are arboreal animals; this means they live in the trees of the tropical rainforest. Normally, wild orangutans almost never travel on the ground.
While trekking in the Gunung Leuser National Park, near Bukit Lawang, it is very common to see these semi-wild orangutans that were reintroduced into the wild when rehabilitation began in the 1970s. They have now successfully learned how to survive again in the wild forest, which is quite an extraordinary achievement.
The best time to see wild Sumatran orangutans is during the dry season, from March to October. However, in theory, Bukit Lawang is a year-round destination.
This is because semi-wild orangutans rarely travel far from the rehabilitation site or the surrounding forest boundaries. If you visit during the rainy season, you should prepare rain gear before traveling to Bukit Lawang for your trip.Our motto at Sumatra Orangutan Discovery is: “Discover the Orangutans, Leave Only Footprints.” This means: take nothing except photos, leave nothing except footprints, and keep nothing but memories.
We are passionate about ensuring the sustainability of trekking in this region. Therefore, all of our certified guides strictly follow forest guidelines as established by the Indonesian Tourist Guide Association.
If you would like to learn more about how to support orangutans, please visit the Sumatran Orangutan Society.
If you would like to learn more about best forest practices and how to avoid environmental damage, please see our blog:
Tips for responsible jungle trekking.