Have orangutans ever attacked humans? Naturally, orangutans avoid humans. Orangutans are arboreal animals that spend a lot of time in the trees, they eat fruits and leaves also insects like termites for protein. Some researchers observing orangutans reported the orangutans’ discomfort when the researchers tried to approach, especially the dominant males that guard their territory. Some cases report that orangutans will throw branches at humans to show discomfort.

What about the behavior of orangutans released from rehabilitation in Bukit Lawang, do they attack humans? There are reports orangutans attacking guides and tourists while trekking in Gunung Leuser National Park, they are not wild orangutans, they are semi-wild orangutans from rehabilitation (read the history of rehabilitation in Bukit Lawang). Mina is a female orangutan who is avoided by guides in Gunung Leuser National Park, Mina has been reported several times attacking guides and tourists, biting guides and taking things like bags or anything, she can grab. In 2022, Mina was reported missing from the national park. Guides and the park authorities said she was old and most likely had died within the forest area.

In conclusion, orangutans avoid humans and do not attack. Mina is an exception; she had lived a long time as a human pet before being brought to the rehabilitation center. We do not know for sure what caused Mina attack humans, because some rehabilitated orangutans in the national park do not attack humans even though they do not avoid humans and are more friendly.