About This Project

Just how large are male orangutan territories? Even after years of studies at Gunung Palung National Park in Borneo, we don't know. When males enter wild rainforest away from research trails, studies are abandoned due to the difficulties of straying so far from camp.

To solve this mystery, we will take a new approach: by equipping ourselves with enough gear to survive longer term periods in wild rainforest, we can finally track these males to their limit, and map their full territories via GPS.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Unlike monkey studies, placing radio-collars on orangutans for remote tracking has proven impossible; they quickly learn how to remove them. Furthermore, transmitter implants are too invasive for these wild creatures. Due to this, tracking must be done the adventurous way, in person. But since male territories range over areas larger than research sites, we are still missing key data for accurate range modeling.

To solve this, we will follow the orangutans outside our research site by equipping ourselves with enough supplies to track them wherever they take us, camping out at their nesting tree each night instead of returning to camp. With this novel capability to follow them unrestrictedly, we can gain the data we need to create more accurate models of male orangutan ranging patterns.

What is the significance of this project?

This project will provide some of the first data on range and habitat use collected outside of an established study site in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. Orangutans are a keystone species, playing a crucial role in the ecosystem. The results of this project can have a direct impact on conservation policy, as conservationists will be able to better define the minimum area and habitat requirements necessary for the survival of orangutans and their environment. In addition, media can have some of the greatest impact on conservation, and the long-term nature of the follows in this project will allow us to document rarely observed cultural behaviors on film. This footage will serve as a tool for research, and will be shared with local authorities NGOs, (and BACKERS!), for educational purposes.

What are the goals of the project?

1. Collect and analyze data on male orangutan travel patterns. We will track the orangutans using GPS. In order to keep up with them when they leave the trail system, we will carry food, supplies, and hammocks to camp out at their nesting site. Using various GIS and statistical analysis techniques, we will model their territory size and ranging patterns.

2. Publish results and support local NGO and national park. We intend to publish our results in scientific journals, and provide our data to the national park, to aid in patrolling and monitoring of site. During our follows, we will also be able to provide reports of illegal logging in the area.

3. Support education efforts. We will share all results and media with National Park, local NGO Yayasan Palung, AND BACKERS, to aid in education.