Orangutan portrait
by Stephen Melia
Title
Orangutan portrait
Artist
Stephen Melia
Medium
Photograph - Print
Description
The orangutans (also spelled orang-utan, orangutang, or orang-utang)are the two exclusively Asian species of extant great apes. Native to Indonesia and Malaysia, orangutans are currently found in only the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Classified in the genus Pongo, orangutans were considered to be one species. Since 1996, they have been divided into two species: the Bornean orangutan (P. pygmaeus) and the Sumatran orangutan (P. abelii). In addition, the Bornean species is divided into three subspecies.Orangutans are among the most intelligent primates; they use a variety of sophisticated tools and construct elaborate sleeping nests each night from branches and foliage. The apes have been extensively studied for their learning abilities. There may even be distinctive cultures within populations. Field studies of the apes were pioneered by primatologist BirutÄ— Galdikas. Both orangutan species are considered to be critically endangered.
Uploaded
July 16th, 2017
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Comments (15)
Brian Tada
Magnificent orangutan portrait, Stephen! Absolutely superb capture of details and great composition. Marvelous image raising awareness about these endangered and majestic primates. F/L
Kay Brewer
What a handsome old gent! I used to go to the National Zoo in DC and sit for hours watching the orangs. Funny, fasacinating. Great shot, Stephen! l/f
Miroslava Jurcik
Fantastic capture and detail of this amazing intelligent animal, also a great description !! l/f