Management of severe bites from orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus)

Abstract

Background: Orangutans are critically endangered primates living in the shrinking virgin rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra. Two or more species of orangutan once inhabited a larger part of Southeast Asia. Attacks by these giants are extremely rare and we could not find any prior medical report of human injuries from an orangutan. This incident took place in Borneo in a primate rehabilitation station operated by Indonesian and international staff. Objective: This reports the management of severe bites by an orangutan.