Lifespan35 to 40 years in the wild and up to 60 years under human care
Quick facts
DietVariety of fruits, leaves, tree bark, flowers and insects
HabitatTropical rainforests and they are arboreal, lives in trees
RangeParts of Borneo and Sumatra
The orangutans
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Largest tree-dwelling mammals
Orangutans are apes. Unlike monkeys, they do not have a tail. Found in the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra, they have special feet with long toes for grasping branches, and long limbs that can stretch out far so that they can move easily through the treetops.
Asia’s only great ape
Orangutans are the only great apes of Asia. A million years ago, they ranged from Java through Laos into China. Today, they are found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
Sumatran orangutans tend to have lighter coloured hair compared to Bornean orangutans. Older Sumatran orangutans have a golden beard.
Forest school
Like humans, orangutans spend a long time raising their young. Orangutan babies stay with their mother for 7 to 8 years to learn survival skills. Play is an important way for them to learn these skills. Mothers care for their young single-handedly, the males are not involved in child-rearing.
Durian lovers
Similar to many Singaporeans, orangutans love durians. In the wild, they seek out fruiting trees and can remember their location even after years have passed. Orangutans in our care enjoy durians too but only as treats.
Low sugar diet
60% of an orangutan’s diet in the wild is made up of tropical fruit like mangosteens, rambutans and lychees. But wild fruit is much lower in sugar than cultivated fruit.
To prevent health problems like diabetes and teeth decay, our orangutans are given vegetables as their staple food. For added protein, they get a mix of pulses like green beans and barley.
Ah Meng and Her Legacy
Ah Meng was our own homegrown celebrity. She came to the Zoo at the tender age of seven and rose to stardom in the 1980s as the gracious host of our “Breakfast with Orangutan”. She became the first and only animal to be conferred the ‘Special Tourism Ambassador’ award.
Everyone who has rubbed shoulders with Ah Meng has a story to tell. When she passed on in 2008, 4,000 people turned up to pay their final respects. Ah Meng’s grand daughter Ishta has been named the new Ah Meng for her resemblance to her grandmother.
Meet the family
Binton
Seizes every chance to enjoy a piggyback ride on adult orangutans.
Labu
Has a habit of snatching food from his group members.
Satria
Often refuses to go back to his night quarters.
Suria
Enjoys the attention of his keepers.
Veera
Loves to tease other orangutans by pulling their fur.
The keeper
So, how long have you been working with the orangutans?
I’ve always worked with the orangutans, from back when I joined in 1997. In 2004, I had to stop due to a very bad traffic accident. The doctor could not give me a definite answer as to whether I could walk again. But I missed Singapore Zoo so much that I even came back in my wheelchair to visit!
I’m glad you’ve made a full recovery. When did you re-join the zoo?
I came back in 2011. My first day back at work was a bit emotional for me. Anita, one of the adult females I had taken care of from the start, took one look at me and immediately came over to hold my hand. Seven years had passed but she still remembered me. The bond was not broken.
How would you sum up your experience as a keeper?
It’s more of a lifestyle than a job. I probably spend more time with the orangutans than my wife! Having a passion for the animals makes it easier. I get satisfaction from gaining their trust and being accepted. It’s a unique work environment - where else in Singapore can I get to work with orangutans?
Orangutan Keeper Talk
Daily Free-Ranging Orangutan Island 11:00am & 3:30pmLearn more about our wildlife from the people who know best — the keepers. In this interactive session, hear interesting quirks of the orangutans from our keepers.
Adopt an Animal
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Ah Meng
Sumatran Orangutan
Named after her well-loved grandmother, Ah Meng is sociable and affectionate, and cares deeply for the other orang utans in her group.
She enjoys the occasional durian treat, and is observed to be very particular about cleanliness.
Together, we protect wildlife
Safety net for the species
Both the Sumatran and Bornean orangutans are critically endangered – the latter was reclassified recently, from endangered status to reflect the magnitude of threats from habitat loss and illegal hunting.
Managing orangutan populations in zoos ensures the survival of the species. It also allows members of the public to appreciate and learn more about them, and hopefully with emotional connection, comes the desire to protect these 'men of the forest’.
The IUCN Status
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity
Special Experience
Breakfast in the Wild
Daily Ah Meng Restaurant (Terrace), Singapore Zoo 9:00am – 10:30amSingapore Zoo
Start your day well with this iconic dining experience designed to inspire a love for wildlife and delight your senses!
Savour a hearty meal of local and international flavours in our charming rainforest zoo and meet our wildlife ambassadors and their keepers.
Adult
S$47
