The Orangutans: Their Evolution, Behavior, and Future [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

by Gisela Kaplan (Author), Lesley Rogers (Author), Robert D Kaplan (Author), Lesley J. Rogers (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Chimpanzees might be more like us genetically, but a close look at The Orangutans shows that our Asian cousins seem much more human. That look has been thoughtfully provided by Australian primatologists Gisela Kaplan and Lesley J. Rogers of the University of New England in New South Wales. Their book, based on their work in Sumatra and Borneo, the last wild habitats of the orangutan, is captivating, and it provides new insight into the past, present, and clouded future of orangutans. With sections on evolutionary speculation, behavioral observation, and a plea for assistance for their continued survival, the book makes a compelling case for our interest, based in both scientific and humanitarian concerns. Profuse illustrations show these apes at all ages and splendidly demonstrate their diversity; unlike most other animals, not all orangutans look alike to us. The writing is tight and at times urgent, with the burden of near-extinction always close to the surface of the authors' concern for the apes. Vivid expression of such emotions as depression and curiosity, coupled with a sometimes disturbing facial resemblance to us, makes orangutans difficult to ignore. Unfortunately, the rapid destruction of their rain-forest home may squeeze them out of existence before we can act to save them. Whether the 20,000 or so left will be enough to breed into the next century is still a mystery; we must hope that The Orangutans will never have to stand in for more direct knowledge. --Rob Lightner

From Publishers Weekly
This must be the Year of the Orangutan: this latest of several introductions and guides focused on those orange-haired animals will reward anyone who cares about primate history, habitat and behavior. Researchers Kaplan and Rogers (Minds of Their Own; Orangutans in Borneo) teach at the University of New England in Australia, but their compact volume isn't a dry monographAor a memoir or perky picture book. Instead, it's a quick, clear explanation of how Pongo pygmaeus lives, and what it does. It explains how orangutan DNA differs from ours, and from gorillas', and how orangutan arms, hands and feet have come to suit life in the trees. Orangutans seem to know where in a forest their beloved (and stinky) durian fruit grows, and when it will ripen; they also exercise complex infant and child care. "Learning" and "problem solving and tool use" rate chapters, with striking field observations by the authors and others: the creatures play tricks and have a surprisingly nuanced sex life. Orangutan facial and gestural signals are just close enough to our own to mislead: "smiles" usually react to threats, and a two-handed "wave" likely means "get out of my face." Kaplan and Rogers's prose neither sparkles nor drags; while reporting their own experiences, the two keep personal anecdotes and flashy comments to a minimum. As in most books of this kind, conservation issues occupy the last chapter. The authors conclude that orangutans can survive only as long as their native rain forest does: they're "too large to keep in enclosures, too intelligent to keep in zoos, too self-aware to keep in laboratories, and... too close to us" for us to ignore their needs.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 200 pages
• Publisher: Basic Books; 1st edition (May 30, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738202908
• ISBN-13: 978-0738202907
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,824,506 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Nothing New for Those Familiar wtih Orangutans, November 24, 2000

By A Customer

This book is written by two experienced field researchers. The information presented in the book is more like a review - no new information is presented. Furthermore, information presented on orangutans in captivity is presented in a very negative way despite the fact that neither author has any experience with the care or captive husbandry of this species. Although this species faces possible extinction in next 20 years or so, no concrete, realistic actions steps are given to solve the "real socio-economic" problems in in the countires where orangutans are found. Overall, a very disappointing book.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A message for all of us, April 23, 2001

By	Michelle Hook (Bastrop, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

'The Orang-utans' underscores the urgency for attention to the current circumstances and future realities facing wild orang-utans in Borneo and Malaysia. Kaplan and Rogers present scientific evidence demonstrating the extraordinary capabilities and behavior of this species, as well as narratives on personal encounters with rehabilitated orang-utans. Incredibly complex scientific evidence and principles are presented in a way that allows for the majority of readers to understand and recognize the significance of these data. The authors must be commended for making these scientific discoveries so comprehensible and, in doing so, allowing us to recognize the unique abilities of this species. Although, primatologists that specialize in research on orang-utans are aware of their cognitive and social abilities, this information is not easily accessible to most people. Moreover, when scientific data are attainable they are often communicated in a way that precludes understanding by a nonspecific audience. Kaplan and Rogers make even molecular genetics understandable. Perhaps more importantly, Kaplan and Rogers provide insight into individual orang-utans and thereby highlight the sentience of these beings. We are forced to recognize many similarities between humans and orang-utans, as well as to respect and marvel at the differences between these species. While reading this book you become cognizant of the enormous loss the extinction of the orang-utan would represent. Yet, we are reminded of the impinging reality of orang-utan extinction. Kaplan and Rogers provide objective descriptions of the impacts of human contact, selective logging, and reforestation on the survival of free-ranging orang-utans. It is through the eyes, and writings, of researchers such as these that we will be forced to recognize the importance and uniqueness of other species, and to consider the implications of our actions and conservation efforts.