Indonesia: Orangutan number declining in Sumatra island

Antara 7 May 12;

Banda Aceh (ANTARA News) - The number of Orangutans living in the wild in Sumatra island has gone down from 1,000 in early 2000 to less than 200 in 2012, according to an activist.

"The number of orangutans in Sumatra island is decreasing due to damage in their habitat," said Halim, a Preserved Ecosystem Foundation activist, here on Monday.

He explained that a recent study showed the biggest population of orangutans to be in the Rawa Tripa peatland, Nagan district, Aceh province. However, he added that their numbers in the area were decreasing due to land conversion for oil palm plantation.

Halim called on the Ministry of Forestry to conduct reforestation in the impacted area and revoke the land conversion permit.

"After the revoke of permit, this location must be made a preservation area for orangutans," he said.
(T.KR-IRW/Uu.A051/INE/KR-BSR/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH