National Orangutan Day

Adorable baby orangutan swinging from trees, wearing a cute banana-print onesie, lush rainforest setting.. — National orangutan day illustration

Welcome to National Orangutan Day, a day dedicated to celebrating these fascinating and intelligent creatures. Get ready to swing through the trees and learn all about the internet history behind this special day!

When is Orangutan Day?

It's national orangutan day on the 19th August.

A Bit of Internet History

Did you know that National Orangutan Day was first celebrated online on August 19, 2015? It quickly gained popularity, with 45 mentions across the web, making it one wild event to remember. The enthusiastic support for orangutans on this day paved the way for greater awareness and conservation efforts.

Why Orangutans Deserve Our Love

Orangutans are known for their incredible intelligence, playful nature, and striking resemblance to certain cartoon characters (we won't mention any names, but one of them hangs out with a bear and a tiger). These magnificent primates are native to the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, and sadly, they're under threat due to deforestation and illegal hunting.

By celebrating National Orangutan Day, we can raise awareness about the challenges they face and promote their conservation. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for our orange-furred friends.

Fun Fact: Orangutans Are Great Swimmers!

While we might imagine orangutans swinging gracefully through the treetops, they're actually quite capable swimmers. They are known to paddle through rivers and streams using their long arms and legs, making their way to new food sources or simply enjoying a refreshing dip.

History behind the term 'Orangutan'

1738

Naming the Orangutan

The term 'orangutan' was first used by a Dutch physician and naturalist named Jacobus Bontius in his book 'Historiae Naturalis et Medicae Indiae Orientalis' in the year 1738. Bontius derived the term from the Malay words 'orang' meaning 'person' and 'hutan' meaning 'forest'. This name was chosen because of the striking resemblance of the orangutan to a human being.

1836

Scientific Classification

In 1836, the German naturalist Johann Friedrich Blumenbach included the orangutan in his scientific classification system. He classified it as a separate genus called 'Simia' in the family Hominidae, which also includes humans, gorillas, and chimpanzees.

1871

Gathering Knowledge

The British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace spent several years studying the diverse wildlife of the Malay Archipelago, including orangutans. In 1871, he published a comprehensive book titled 'The Malay Archipelago' which provided detailed observations of orangutan behavior and ecology. Wallace's work significantly contributed to our understanding of these fascinating creatures.

1900s

Conservation Efforts

As deforestation and habitat loss became significant threats to orangutans in the 20th century, conservation efforts started to gain momentum. Organizations such as the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation and Orangutan Foundation International were founded to protect and rehabilitate orangutans, as well as raise awareness about their conservation needs.

2017

Endangered Status

In 2017, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified both species of orangutans, the Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, as critically endangered. This classification reflects the alarming decline in their populations due to habitat destruction, illegal hunting, and the illegal pet trade. Efforts to conserve and protect orangutans continue to this day.