Floods in Indonesia killed 7% of the rare orangutan population

A report by Borneo Futures and Liverpool John Moores University found that floods and landslides in Sumatra, Indonesia, last year destroyed at least 7% of the total population of the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan.

Floods and landslides triggered by the cyclone killed at least 1,200 people and damaged about 300,000 homes, with environmental groups attributing the extent of the damage to rapid deforestation on the island of Sumatra.

At least 58 Tapanuli orangutans, a species endemic to the area around the Batang Toru forest in northern Sumatra, died in the floods. According to the report, which cites a survey of the western block of the forest, the location is home to the majority of the total population of 800 primates. The study did not look at other parts of the forest, meaning the number of deaths may have been higher.

The conclusions were reached through the analysis of satellite images of the damage caused to the West Block of Batang Toru and historical records of the orangutan population in the region.

The study states that human-induced climate change has likely increased the intensity and frequency of extreme rainfall around the Strait of Malacca, putting the Tapanuli orangutan's habitat at greater risk.

Erik Meijaard of Borneo Futures, lead author of the study, said the heavy rain soaked the ground so much that large parts of the slopes in the primary forests collapsed in rapid landslides.

"If an orangutan gets caught... if something falls at high speed, the chances of survival are slim, so that has become a real concern," he said.

"This level of loss is substantial for a species with such a small total population. When combined with ongoing pressures such as habitat degradation and human-wildlife conflict, it further increases the urgency to implement and adequately fund a coordinated action plan for the species," Meijaard added.

Panut Hadisiswoyo, another researcher, urged the Indonesian government to work together with NGOs and researchers to prevent further decline in the orangutan population.

"We can minimize poaching and then probably the population can be stabilized," he said, adding that all parties must pay attention to land misuse, which also contributes to population decline.

Source: CNN