Tapanuli Orangutan Pongo tapanuliensis

Tapanuli Orangutan Pongo tapanuliensis

Critically Endangered

Population: 800

Due to high levels of habitat conversion and fragmentation, and illegal killing, Tapanuli Orangutans are estimated to have experienced a significant population reduction in recent decades. Forest loss data indicate that orangutan habitat below 500 m asl of both P. tapanuliensis and P. abelii was reduced by 60% between 1985 and 2007 (Wich et al. 2008, 2011). It is thought that this reduction will continue for the Tapanuli Orangutan as forests within its range remain under considerable threat (Wich et al. 2016). Significant areas of the Tapanuli Orangutan’s range are seriously threatened by habitat conversion for small-scale agriculture, mining exploration and exploitation, a large-scale hydroelectric scheme, geothermal development, and agricultural plantations. Approximately 14% of the geographic range of the Tapanuli Orangutan is not protected, nor even allocated as forest estate, and even the protected areas are not immune from the above threats (Wich et al. 2008, 2011, 2016).

There are < 800 Tapanuli Orangutans left in the wild due to #palmoil and #mining #deforestation loss of 85% of their habitat. They face imminent #extinction. Protect them with a #Boycott4Wildlife of brands destroying forests. More 👇🧐

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The Tapanuli Orangutan was until relatively recently more widespread, with sightings further south in the lowland peat swamp forests in the Lumut area (Wich et al. 2003) and several nests encountered during a rapid survey in 2010 (G. Fredriksson pers. obs.). The forests in the Lumut area have in recent years almost completely been converted to oil-palm plantations.

IUCN Red List

Further Information

Nowak, M.G., Rianti, P., Wich , S.A., Meijaard, E. & Fredriksson, G. 2017. Pongo tapanuliensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T120588639A120588662. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T120588639A120588662.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.

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