Page:Hunting and trapping stories; a book for boys (IA huntingtrappings00pric).pdf/165

 STORIES OF THE ORANG-UTAN

Nearly all Museums throughout the United States contain stuffed specimens of the Orang-utan, but very few Zoos contain a live one, for the reason that the great ape is very difficult to catch, and moreover it does not live long when removed from its native home.

The orang-utan is found in the Island of Sumatra which, as you will see by the map, is next door to Java in the Malay Archipelago. This great island is one of a chain that joins Borneo and Siam to Australia.

In its native land the orang is often called the "Mias." This ape is enormous in bulk and strength. Its arms are nearly as long as its entire body. Being an ape it has no tail. Its fur is long and coarse, and is of a reddish tint. When seen in a strong light it looks fiery. Its jaw is very large and its brain space small in proportion to the size of the head. Its chest is a marvel of muscular strength.

Mr Wallace, the great English naturalist, was the first man to call attention to the orang, for he went out to Sumatra and studied the beast in its native haunts. Furthermore he is said to have been the first man to bring a live specimen to England.

In one way the orang is unlike any other large ape in that it builds a nest, or more properly speaking, a hammock of green-leaved boughs in which it sleeps. Now the gorilla is so fierce that very few animals can live near it, but this is not so in the case of the orang as it is not nearly as quarrelsome. Near its haunts numerous monkeys, small animals and birds are to be found.

Capturing the orang is a task which takes the utmost nerve and skill. In fact it is almost useless to try and get an old fellow, for by the time it is caged it is sure to have been mortally wounded in the struggle.

A traveller who had seen the natives of Sumatra tackle the orang in its native haunts gave this account of the fight. The party searched the forest for some time until they came upon an old male, its mate and a young one. The female, clutching her baby, scrambled off at once while the male formed the rear guard and prepared to beat off any attack. The huge creature was a terrible sight. It roared and beat its chest with its clenched fists – its fiery hair standing erect, a picture of diabolical fury.

The orang advanced upon its enemies and singling out one big fellow with a spear rushed upon him. The man stood his ground bravely enough but the beast was too quick for him, and seizing the stout spear broke it as though it were a twig and at the same time bit the man's left arm off. It then turned its attention to the others but was overcome by numbers. At last it fell dead after having been thrust through the body with spears.