Male Orangutans Plan and Communicate Their Travel Direction One Day in Advance

Male orangutans are known for their booming and distinctive long call, which attracts females and repels rival males. Their cheek pads, or flanges, act as a funnel for amplifying the long call. This works in a similar way to a megaphone. Researchers have discovered something amazing about the long call: it’s how male orangutans communicate their travel routes.

The direction in which male orangutans emit their long call tells us which way he will travel the following day. If he makes a new call, it means he’s changing the direction of travel. This shows that orangutans are proactively planning their movements and sharing this information with other orangutans — often one day in advance!

But that’s not all. Other orangutans take advantage of this information, sometimes the day after they receive it. They respond appropriately, with rival males steering clear of that travel route, and females sticking close by. This is a fascinating discovery! Orangutans, often described as solitary creatures, are perhaps more reliant on each other than previously thought.

This incredible discovery highlights their intelligence and foresight. But their future in the wild is far from guaranteed. Join us in securing a thriving future for these amazing apes! Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates and ways you can help, delivered straight to your inbox.