In the vanishing lowland rainforests of Borneo, new research is underway to uncover and understand the unique cultural behaviors in wild orangutans, before it’s too late. There, photographer Tim Laman, researcher Cheryll Knott and young explorer Robert Suro have documented orangutans making pillows, fashioning umbrellas and displaying regional greetings. The project, 20 years in the making, offers a fascinating glimpse into the habits of wild orangutans, as well as a window into human evolution. With their habitat disappearing at an alarming rate, this research may prove to be key in protecting this critically endangered species. DIRECTED BY Tim Laman and Melissa Lesh PRODUCED BY Melissa Lesh, Trevor Frost and Tim Laman EDITED BY Melissa Lesh PRINCIPAL CINEMATOGRAPHY BY Tim Laman, Trevor Frost, Robert Rodriguez Suro FEATURING Cheryl Knott, Tim Laman, Robert Rodriguez Suro, Richard Wrangham, Endro Setiawan ADDITIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHY BY Russell Laman, Tri Wahyu Susanto DRONE PILOTING BY Russell Laman SPECIAL THANKS TO Gunung Palung National Park Director Dadang Wardhana and Endro Setiawan The Gunung Palung Orangutan Project: Cheryl Knott, Tri Wahyu Susanto and Team Tuanan Orangutan Project Team Tuanan Orangutan Research Project MAWAS Conservation Program Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program Rebecca Martin All participating orangutans MADE POSSIBLE BY Grants from the National Geographic Society Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program Yayasan Palung Emerging Earth Films To learn more visit: http://bit.ly/2HRgwxX Find the team on instagram: @melissalesh @timlaman @tbfrost @rrsuro @cheryl_d_knott

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