The South Tapanuli Community Forms For Conservation Forums To Protect Tapanuli Orangutans From Extinction

A tapanuli orangutan was released into the Sipurik reserve, South Tapanuli, North Sumatra. BETWEEN/HO-Ministry of Environment and Forestry. (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Orangutan conservation in Indonesia continues to be an important concern in the midst of an increasingly worrying biodiversity crisis.

One of the rarest species in the world, the tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis), is now facing serious threats from habitat fragmentation, extractive industry expansion, and illegal hunting.

With an estimated population of only 760 tails remaining, this species is on the verge of extinction. Therefore, various parties have begun to move to strengthen the protection of this unique creature that only lives in the Batang Toru ecosystem area, North Sumatra.

As a concrete step, a number of active civil society organizations in the Batang Toru area, South Tapanuli Regency, formed the Tapanuli Orangutan Conservation Forum (FOKAT). This forum aims to strengthen synergy in maintaining the habitat as well as the survival of the tapanuli orangutan whose status has been categorized as a very endangered species.

"FOCATES are here as collaboration rooms in formulating and implementing long-term conservation strategies, including habitat protection and education to the public," explained Hendrawan Hasibuan, as the initiator and declarator of the forum, as quoted by ANTARA.

Hendrawan explained that Tapanuli orangutans were only recognized as separate species in 2017, and were genetically different from northern Kalimantan and Sumatra orangutans. This species is now legally protected through the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/13/2018.

Furthermore, he conveyed that this forum is not only an advocacy tool, but also a means of education to raise awareness of the younger generation regarding the importance of preserving Indonesia's endemic fauna.

The formation of FOCAT is also a response to the increasing pressure on the Batang Toru forest environment, ranging from deforestation to extractive industrial activities that continue to erode the natural habitat of orangutans. In addition, the rampant trade in protected animals is a serious threat to the sustainability of this species.

"FOCATE is open to anyone who cares. We invite various organizations in the Batang Toru landscape to participate. Collaboration is key to saving this species from the threat of extinction," he added.

He also emphasized that the protection of Tapanuli orangutans cannot only be seen from the environmental side. Threats to this species also have a direct impact on the sustainability of local culture, social and economic communities that coexist with forests.

In the future, FOCAT is expected to develop into a multi-sector forum that not only carries the advocacy and protection agenda, but is also able to produce data-based research and sustainable solutions that favor environmental conservation.

The formation of this forum is also part of the commemoration of World Orangutan Day which falls on August 19, as a symbol there are still many parties who care and are ready to move to maintain the presence of tapanuli orangutans.

Data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) shows that the population of tapanuli orangutans is currently far less than its relatives from Sumatran orangutans with around 14,000 people and Kalimantan orangutans, which reached around 57,000.