The Ape Apothecary | Celebrating International Orangutan Day

August 19th marks International Orangutan Day: a global day dedicated to raising awareness about these incredible, intelligent apes. We’ve invited the Sumatran Orangutan Society (SOS) to teach us more about these magnificent creatures.

Orangutans are our wild cousins. They are curious and complex and are crucially important for the ecosystems they live in. As primates, orangutans share many commonalities with us, including the age-old battle against pesky insects. But how do these arboreal apes protect themselves from nature’s tiny tormentors?

Adaptations to Life in the Trees

Orangutans are well-adapted to their rainforest homes. Their long, powerful arms allow them to swing effortlessly through the trees. But that’s not all – orangutans have developed natural defences against insects, too. Their thick, reddish brown hair can act as a barrier and behavioural adaptations, such as grooming, can help to remove parasites. Orangutans build a new nest to sleep in every night, and there is some evidence that they choose trees with mosquito-repelling properties.

But it’s not just orangutans; many primates have developed ingenious ways to keep the bugs at bay and some species have discovered the medicinal benefits of plants.

• Capuchin monkeys have been observed rubbing themselves with secretions of millipedes to repel insects and some plant species that are high in antiseptic properties – to fend off bacterial and fungal infections.
• Chimpanzees have been observed eating bitter-tasting plants to treat intestinal parasites. Similar behaviour has been seen in both bonobos and baboons, who eat specific plants to combat parasites.
• Titi monkeys have been seen rubbing their hair with leaves known to possess antiviral and antifungal properties.
• A Sumatran orangutan was recently observed chewing leaves from a plant with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties and applying the resulting paste to a wound.

Staying Safe in the Wild

Primates possess remarkable abilities and behaviours that can inspire innovation and problem-solving in our species. But, if you don’t fancy bathing in millipedes or grooming your next-door neighbour, Incognito insect repellent has you covered. Their natural and biodegradable formula is made with plant-based ingredients and their products are never tested on animals.

A Call for Conservation

Orangutans face many challenges in the wild. Once widespread across southern Asia, they now only survive on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Their populations are at risk due to habitat fragmentation and forest degradation, linked to the development of farmlands, roads, and other human-made barriers. Unless these fragmented forests are protected and reconnected, there is a risk that some of these orangutan populations might disappear altogether.

Here at the Sumatran Orangutan Society, we support our incredible frontline partners in Sumatra to build resilience for orangutans, ecosystems, and communities through conservation solutions that benefit both people and wildlife. We work collaboratively to protect rainforests, connect fragmented areas allowing orangutans to move freely, and rewild forests to create more orangutan habitat. Our approach listens to the needs of local communities, making sure they have a central role in programme planning and decision-making.

Protecting rainforests is a collective responsibility. It is thanks to the support of dedicated people, that we can realise our vision of wild orangutans thriving in resilient forests. Donate now.

Images by: Andrew Walmsley Photography