Throughout Borneo, orangutans playfully swing from branch to branch, enjoying the wooded wonderland they call home – but dangers are often hiding in the shadows. Although the name “Orangutan” actually translates to “man of the forest” in the Malay language – it appears thatman may pose their greatest threat.

The orangutan is a highly intelligent member of the Great Apes – but this brightly colored animal rarely gets the respect it deserves – a fact that has left the species threatened with extinction in both Sumatra and Borneo. Public perception of the orangutan in that area is either that of an animal of little consequence, a pest responsible for agricultural damages, or simply a cute little ape that can be kept as a pet for entertainment.