Jaya, the Sumatran orangutan   Scientific name:   Pongo abelii Animal Type:   Mammal Location:   The island of Sumatra in the Indonesian archipelago Conservation Status:   Critically Endangered Diet:   Mainly Fruit, leaves, buds, stems, bark and insects       Jaya is a fun loving fool – feeding time is quite a challenge as he likes to clown around sucking mango stones and spitting out his drinks!

Jaya, the Sumatran orangutan

Jaya made national headlines in 2004 by being born by emergency caesarean section – he weighed only 1.86kg

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Sumatran orangutan Profile

There are two genetically distinct species: the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus). The two species show slightly different physical characteristics. Sumatran orangutans have lighter hair and a longer beard than their Bornean relatives, and Sumatran males have narrower cheekpads. Both species are highly endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.

Orangutans breed more slowly than any other primate, with the female producing a baby on average only once every 7-8 years. Infants are dependent on their mothers for at least five years, learning about survival in the forest. Orangutans live for around 45 years in the wild, and a female will usually have no more than 3 offspring in her lifetime. This means that orangutan populations grow very slowly, and take a long time to recover from habitat disturbance and hunting.

The orangutan is one of our closest relatives in the animal kingdom, sharing 96.4% of our DNA. Indigenous people of Indonesia and Malaysia call this ape ‘Orang Hutan’ which literally translates as ‘Person of the Forest’.

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Threats and challenges to the Sumatran orangutan

The Sumatran orangutan is one of the world’s most threatened great ape species and has been classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the IUCN, the World Conservation Union. The population of wild Sumatran orangutans has declined drastically from over 12,000 in 1994 to 7,300 in 2003. The latest data from 2008 estimates that there are now only around 6,500 remaining in the wild.

Orangutans were historically found in forests across Sumatra but are now restricted to North Sumatra and Aceh provinces. There are less than 900,000 hectares of suitable orangutan habitat remaining on the island of Sumatra.

Current estimates suggest that they could be the first Great Ape species to become extinct in the wild. The major threats to the survival of orangutans are habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

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Durrell's involvement with the Sumatran orangutan

Durrell has kept Sumatran orangutan’s since 1968 and between 1963 to 1990, also bred the Bornean species. Over the years, 7 valuable babies have been born here and some are now at other zoos continuing to make a valuable contribution to the breeding programme for their Critically Endangered species.

In 1997 Durrell keeper Ian Singleton left his job and beloved animals, to boldly go where no PhD student had gone before, and study these secretive apes in what was left of their natural habitat. Intrepid Ian spent 2 years working in the incredibly inhospitable swampland habitat of northern Sumatra, where the ability to swing through the trees would have made life a whole lot easier!

Our orangutan family act as a vital genetic reserve, a global ‘safety net’ population, as well as powerful awareness raisers for those people who may never see them in the wild. You can have a huge impact upon their survival by not buying tropical hardwood products and products containing palm oil.

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Adoption packs

Adopters will receive an adoption folder containing the following based on Jaya, the Sumatran orangutan:

What's included Bronze Silver Gold A certificate Photograph Fact sheet Birth certificate Animal stickers Two issues of our ‘On the Edge’ magazine per year Regular news via our electronic newsletter ‘eNews’ Complimentary ticket to visit Durrell wildlife park in Jersey Your name listed on our website - Updates about your animal per year - A chance to enjoy a tour with one of our experienced volunteer tour guides, and spend time with your animal and their keeper - - All for just £3 pm £10 pm £55 pm

*Per month

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Where will my Sumatran orangutan donation money go?

Our dedicated conservationists can continue to work tirelessly in threatened habitats in our strategic conservation areas of islands and highlands worldwide. They will also battle to protect and conserve as much wildlife as they can.

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Please pay for your adoption by Direct Debit if you can. Direct Debits are cheaper for us to administer, letting us spend more of your money on our vital conservation work. Direct Debits are also better for you because payments are made automatically and can be spread across the year and you won't be bothered with renewal forms. It will simply roll over until you request otherwise. However, you can make a single payment if you prefer.

Click here to view and print the direct debit payment form » » | or download it »

Or use the fom below to make a single payment...