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CONSERVATION STATUS

The IUCN¹ Red List of Threatened Species classifies the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) as ‘Endangered’; this means that they face a ‘very high risk of extinction in the wild’. The Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) is classified as ‘Critically Endangered’ and is thus considered to be facing an ‘extremely high risk of extinction in the wild’.

¹International Union for Conservation of Nature

CITES² STATUS

Both orangutan species are in Appendix I

²The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) is an international agreement between governments which provides varying levels of protection for species that are or may be in danger of extinction from international trade.

Appendix I includes species that are threatened with extinction and that are or may be affected by international trade. Commercial international trade in species listed on Appendix I is prohibited.