Science AMA Series: I'm biological anthropologist Cheryl Knott and I study orangutans, primate reproduction, evolution, and conservation. AMA!

Hi Reddit!I'm a biological anthropologist who works with wild orangutan populations in Indonesia. In particular I'm interested in what we can learn about the reproductive physiology of male and female orangutans using non-invasive methods. In other words, I observe mating behaviors and collect their urine - a job which once earned me honor of being in Popular Science's list of worst science jobs! This lets me learn about their nutrition, reproductive states, health, and lots of other interesting things without harming them. In the bigger picture, primate studies help us learn more about our own human evolution and reproduction.I'm also the executive director of the Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program in Indonesia. I conduct my research here but I'm also passionate about conservation. Orangutans are endangered and experts think they may become extinct in the wild within 20 years. However, the worst fire in 20 years has recently hit the region and is critically threatening orangutan populations. You can see some of the heartbreaking photos that my husband Tim Laman took here. The fires threaten a third of the wild orangutan population. Considering the already dire situation this is very concerning.I'll be back at 12 pm ET (9 am PT, 5 pm UTC) to answer your questions, ask me anything!
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Hi Reddit!

I'm a biological anthropologist who works with wild orangutan populations in Indonesia. In particular I'm interested in what we can learn about the reproductive physiology of male and female orangutans using non-invasive methods. In other words, I observe mating behaviors and collect their urine - a job which once earned me honor of being in Popular Science's list of worst science jobs! This lets me learn about their nutrition, reproductive states, health, and lots of other interesting things without harming them. In the bigger picture, primate studies help us learn more about our own human evolution and reproduction.

I'm also the executive director of the Gunung Palung Orangutan Conservation Program in Indonesia. I conduct my research here but I'm also passionate about conservation. Orangutans are endangered and experts think they may become extinct in the wild within 20 years. However, the worst fire in 20 years has recently hit the region and is critically threatening orangutan populations. You can see some of the heartbreaking photos that my husband Tim Laman took here. The fires threaten a third of the wild orangutan population. Considering the already dire situation this is very concerning.

I'll be back at 12 pm ET (9 am PT, 5 pm UTC) to answer your questions, ask me anything!