It has been a privilege for me to teach and train one of the
best student in Medan, and his name is Nykhlas. I have becoming his English
trainer for the past two months. Thus, today’s article is not about his but it
is about his homework that we did yesterday afternoon.
It was a very interesting homework about answering questions
based on the article. The topic was simply and surprising which could explain
us about current wildlife condition. Orangutan was the topic we read last
afternoon on my private class. Based on the topic, there are two details that
make orangutan as an unique mammal. But, before we discuss about them, we
should know about the animal itself firstly.
Orangutan is one of the largest primate in the world. There
are four types of mammal which has bigger size compare another primate. They
are baboons, gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans. Some studies have found the
evidence about orangutans had lived in Asia particularly their habitats were spread in China, Vietnam, Malaysia and Indonesia. However, until today it is
hardly to find them anywhere but in Malaysian and Indonesia. Orangutans are
originated from the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. According to the taxonomy of
biological aspect, both of them have different Latin names.
One of the most interesting facts which makes them as unique
mammals is orangutans are more likely to live in a sleeping nests regularly
then moving to another place. It looks like, they have a neighborhood which is
in it their house was built. It looks like they have a social structure which
indicates they have their own society. That is why, past people in Sumatra and
Borneo did not attempt to kill them because they saw orangutans just like a
people who live in tree. This is also making them as the first ape which spent
their time in tree not in the ground like the others ape such as gorillas and
baboons.
Another interesting fact is the brain of orangutans have.
Technically speaking, many studies have shown that orangutans can act
reasonably. This discovery implies orangutans are simply our relatives in spite
of the DNA we shared. However, today they are in endangered. Their habitats are
eradicated by humans for converting forest for crude palm oil and natural
rubber trees.
Study conducted by Doni Prabowo et al showed that oil palm
plantations have been the main issue of deforestation in Indonesia. And the
fact, that Sumatra and Borneo are the main islands for those plant’s
plantations which are not only bigger but also alienated. One of the main cause
was converting the forest into timber plantation supported by the actors from
related ministry. These actors have used their power illegally to enhance the
timber companies by giving local community or tribes and incentives or
promised.