Improved Conservation Efforts Needed to Save Bornean Orangutans

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta-The Bornean Orangutan (Pongo pygmeaus) populations has continued to decline in the past few decades, making it as one of most endangered species in the list released by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation Nature) last week. It was based on the loss and degradation of Bornean Orangutan habitat and hunting activities in Indonesia and Malaysia.

In Kalimantan, most orangutans live outside conservation areas which have resulted in fragmented orangutan habitats. Forest fires that occurred in the past few years have also contributed to shrinking forest cover that has posed threat in the form of more prevalent hunting activities in line with escalated orangutan-human conflict due to habitat loss. Improved efforts in expanding conservation area and in ensuring sustainable management of Bornean Orangutan habitats are needed in the bid to maintain Bornean Orangutan populations and their existence.

Arnold Sitompul, Conservation Director of WWF Indonesia, said the conservation and restoration of Bornean Orangutan habitat must be done. “It’s a warning for us,” said Arnold, adding that the connectivity between orangutan habitats must also be maintained to ensure the sustainability of the existing populations. “Our conservation program shows that orangutan population can be maintained in logging concession areas if managed sustainably.”

He suggested that such approach should be implemented in a broader landscape to improve potential and chance to save the species from extinction.

WWF’s conservation efforts in Indonesia and Malaysia have shown that the endeavors to maintain Bornean Orangutan population can be done through strong partnerships between the government, conservation agencies, researchers and business sector.

Significant advances have been evident in several conservation areas and forest management areas such as Danau Sentarum National Park, Betung Kerihun National Park and Sebangau National Park in Kalimantan, as wella s several areas in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia.

Whereas other forest management areas have been encouraged to integrate conservation efforts of many species, including orangutan, as one of the measures to achieve international standards or certifications such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).

According to the Director Executive and CEO of WWF-Malaysia Dato’ Dionysius Sharma, the strategy to conserve orangutans must include orangutan population monitoring and advocacy to turn more orangutan habitats into conservation areas such as that of in Sabah.

“We are working closely with Sabah Forestry Department to restore degraded orangutan habitats such as Bukit Piton Forest Reserve which has been set as a conservation area since 2012 as part of the research and advocacy activities of WWF-Malaysia,” Sharma went on.

Since the restoration efforts begun in 2008, WWF Malaysia has restored 2,099 hectares of orangutan habitats in Bukit Piton and orangutans have been using the trees three years after their planting. Aside from Bukit Piton, two other orangutan habitats have been named as conservation areas by Sabah Forestry Department, namely Northern Gunung Rara in 2014 and Trusan Sugut in 2015.

Orangutans still have important roles in maintaining forest ecosystem. They will not only disperse seeds but also make nests in trees which will help to make way for sunray to penetrate through the vast tropical rainforest.

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