Orang-utans, like gorillas and chimpanzees, are often
described as the closest relatives of humans. They are in grave danger
of extinction, because their habitat is under threat from illegal logging,
forest fires and gold mining. According to a report by the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP), the annual 5% loss of habitat means there
will be virtually no intact forest left for them by 2030. Wild orang-utans
exist only on two southeast Asian islands, Borneo and Sumatra.

A secret population of orang-utans has been discovered
in the forests of the island of Borneo. Conservationists believe about
2,000 rare apes are living out of sight in a remote lowland region of
East Kalimantan. The find, if confirmed, will raise the number of known
orang-utans in the world by about 10% and represents hope of saving the
endangered primate from extinction in the wild. Primate experts have predicted
that the apes will be found only in zoos by the year 2020 unless immediate
steps are taken to protect them.

Source: BBC