Over the years, there has been a rapid decline in orangutan numbers. Unfortunately there are many threats that contribute to orangutans extinction. According to the most current survey data, just about 14,000 Sumatran orangutans exist on the island (Wich et al. 2016). Because to its pace of extinction, the species is designated as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and was recently named one of the "World's Top 25 Most Endangered Primates" (Singleton et al., 2015).
The main threats to the survival of orangutans:
1. Deforestation for the benefits of oil palm plantations
2. Illegal logging and wood harvesting
3. Forest fire
4. Habitat fragmentation
5. Illegal hunting
6. Pet trade