Rare orangutans found: A new population of orangutans were discovered in the Borneo rainforest.
The Wildlife Conservation Society said that the sub-species Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus, which is listed as the most threatened orangutan in the world, was discovered. There are only 3,000 to 4,500 specimens remaining.
Researchers in February spotted new nesting areas that housed around 200 of the orangutans.
The new population will receive protections from the local government
“It is indeed wonderful to hear the government’s initiative towards protecting these orangutan and their habitat, especially when preliminary scientific data indicates the existence of a globally significant population,” Melvin Gumal, Director of WCS’s Malaysia Program, said in a press release.
During the surveys, the orangutans were found in a 140 square-mile area in Ulu Sungai Menyang, near Batang Ai National Park.
Local Iban communities knew of the existence of the secret orangutans but research had not yet been done to confirm whether they were there.
Researchers found a total of 995 orangutan nests, including fresh ones that indicated that the population was in the region.
