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Rare apes vanish from north Sumatra forests
Conservationists report no sightings of the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans in Batang Toru since Cyclone Senyar struck on 25 November, raising fears the primates may have perished in floods and landslides.
Discovery of carcass deepens concerns
A dead orangutan, believed to be a Tapanuli, was found semi-buried in mud and debris in Pulo Pakkat village this week. Humanitarian worker Deckey Chandra, who previously worked in orangutan conservation, said the body was unrecognizable at first due to damage from sludge and logs.
"I have seen several dead bodies of humans in the past few days but this was the first dead wildlife. They used to come to this place to eat fruits. But now it seems to have become their graveyard."
Deckey Chandra, humanitarian worker
Massive habitat destruction revealed
Satellite images analyzed by Professor Erik Meijaard of Borneo Futures show 4,800 hectares of forest on mountain slopes destroyed by landslides, with an estimated 7,200 hectares affected. Meijaard said the devastation likely claimed around 35 orangutans.
"The destroyed areas would have contained some 35 orangutans, and considering the violence of the destruction it wouldn't surprise us if they are all dead. That's a major blow to the population."
Professor Erik Meijaard, Borneo Futures
Images depict bare soil where primary forest stood two weeks prior, with large patches completely denuded.
Experts debate survival chances
Panut Hadisiswoyo, founder of the Orangutan Information Centre, said the carcass suggests some orangutans were unable to escape the rushing waters and landslides. While locals believe the primates may have sensed danger and fled, primate experts argue the animals likely remained in trees during the storm.
"During heavy rains orangutans either just sit in a tree or gather branches and leaves to use as an umbrella and then wait for the rain to stop. But this time, by the time the rain stopped it was too late."
Serge Wich, Professor of Primate Biology, Liverpool John Moores University
Broader ecological toll emerges
Cyclone Senyar has killed over 900 people and left hundreds missing, with many villages in Sumatra destroyed. The storm also damaged key orangutan research centers, including Ketambe in Aceh, the world's first orangutan research facility.
"It needs to be rebuilt as soon as possible so it can continue to play that role in protecting the forests in that area and its orangutans."
Dr. Ian Singleton, Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme
Other critically endangered species, including Sumatran elephants and tigers, have also been affected, with images of a dead elephant swept away by floods circulating on social media last week.
