Product Details

• Actors: Orangutan Island
• Directors: Animal Planet
• Format: Color, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Genius Products (TVN)
• DVD Release Date: August 19, 2008
• Run Time: 273 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0018PH3JM
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #13,977 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A desperate struggle for survival is raging deep in the heart of Borneo's forests. Illegal logging is rapidly destroying the Bornean orangutans' last stronghold in the wild -- leaving hundreds of orangutan babies orphaned and homeless. Their future seems bleak but a ground-breaking project provides real hope for ensuring the survival of the species. Meet the 35 classmates of Forest School 103 at the Nyaru Menteng Orangutan Rescue and Rehabilitation Center. These precocious red-haired "children of the forest" will get the opportunity, through this innovative project led by Lone Droscher-Nielsen and her team, to live wild on a protected island. Orangutan Island is the foundation for the largest primate rescue project in the world. Go with them on their journey to adulthood as they struggle to form their own society and learn how to live free on Orangutan Island.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deserving More Than Five Stars, September 23, 2008

By	Andy (Wisconsin, USA) - See all my reviews

I love monkeys and apes, I'll be the first to admit. But bias aside, this is, I think, one of the BEST shows that was on TV. And the whole family can enjoy it!

Orangutans, one of our closest living relatives, are critically endangered. Deforestation and poaching are bringing their numbers dangerously close to a point of no return. When a parent dies, usually the young orangutan would follow shortly after. However, the classmates of Nyaru Mentang have been rescued and are raised by humans in hopes of releasing them into the wild. This is a long process, as the dependency period of a baby orang on it's mother is the longest in the mammalian family, aside from humans.

The show is always good for a laugh, and I find it always makes me smile, no matter my mood going into it. Most of it is pretty happy, though there are sad parts of the episodes, and some of the stories about the orangutans are heartbreaking. Take Bonita for instance - poachers shot her mother out of a tree, and she clung to her mother's hair on the way down. After mother and child hit the ground, the poachers came and literally ripped her away from her dead mother, most likely to be sold into a life of solitary confinement in a cramped cage.

Within a couple episodes you'll get to know the orangutans, and learn to appreciate and understand their complex social structure, and their quirks. Each is very distinctive and has a readily discernible personality.

Watching them, one can't help but feel like you are looking at people. They think, they plan, they ponder, they trick, they scheme, they cry, they laugh, they love (two romances start up during season 1!!). These intelligent and gentle creatures will easily capture your heart, and you'll find that each episode ends much too quickly.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orangutan Island, September 11, 2008

By	Ellen R. Fissel "aaronfissel" (South Mountain, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

This series is one of the best nature shows that has ever been created. Follow the orangs as they try to learn and survive in an enviroment that their species calls home.

Orangutan Island is an extremely entertaining and informative nature series that delivers the entertainment and keeps the viewer sticking to the tv screen. Also, watch out for Season 2 of Orangutan Island this fall on Animal Planet!

Buy this great two disc set that contains thirteen episodes of the complete first season. Its cheap and its worth the entertainment. Especially if you love animals or apes! Buy and enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!!!!, August 16, 2009

By	Primate Lover - See all my reviews

I am addicted. Orangutans are so fascinating and they are just so cute! A show that would be appropriate for all ages. I highly recommend this series to everyone. Support this show and the preservation of orangutans!!!!