Sumatran Orangutan by Nathalie Heseltine
The artwork used on these cards was created to cast light on a variety of endangered species from around the world. Made from collages of magazine clippings, the originals of these vibrant and beautiful pieces have been exhibited in London.
The Sumatran Orangutan
STATUS: Critically endangered
Found only in the Indonesian archipelago, the name orangutan translates as "person of the forest" in the Malay language. These highly intelligent great apes, known for their distinctive red fur, are the largest tree-dwelling mammals in the world.
With only 7,500 Sumatran believed to be left, and being the slowest breeding of all the mammal species, these orangutans are critically endangered. In the last 20 years, 80% of their habitat has been lost to illegal logging, gold mining and agriculture - in particular to oil palm plantations. Their large size and slow movements also makes them easy targets for hunters.
CONSERVATION: Conservationists are working to reduce conflict between people and orangutans, by devising practical solutions to prevent orangutans from raiding crops.
About the artist
From her days of looking after hundreds of stick insects to her incredible artwork that highlights the plight of some of our most wonderful creatures, London based Nathalie Heseltine has always had a love for animals. When she's not creating her masterpieces, you can find her either studying marine conservation or travelling to some far flung country to save marine life.
www.nathalieheseltine.co.uk