To summarize the article:
We know that Orangutans have been known to use tools, they question that is raised is what prompts them to use these tools and why. They studied Orangutans from the Suaq Balimbing Research Station in Sumatra, Indonesia. Their initial hypothesis was that Orangutans were using tools because of a low availability of primary food sources, however they found that tools were more likely used for invention of extracting a food source (such as insects). It was found that at this research station most of the Orangutans present main diet consisted of insects that occupied tree holes and required tool use to extract them. These insects consisted of stingless bees (including their honey), ants, and termites. They found that there was no difference between male and female tool use, as well as no difference within the genders. Females in a reproductive state like pregnant or lactating, did in fact consume more energy rich insects, however their tool use to extract those insects didn't increase in those time periods. In regards to this population tool use is mainly to increase the efficiency of insect foraging. Orangutan diet varies across different populations so it's hard to come to any concrete conclusion about the idea of tool use within this species after studying only one population.
Citation
Fox, E. A, van Schaik, C.P., Sitompul, A. and Wright, D.N.
(2004), Intra- and interpopulational differences in orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) activity and diet:
Implications for the invention of tool use. Am J. Phys. Anthropol. 125:
162-174. Doi: 10.1002/ajpa.10386
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