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* Conservation activities have focused on restoring habitat corridors, education and awareness campaigns, bolstering traditional agricultural practices and “orangutan-friendly” produce.
* Conservation activities have focused on restoring habitat corridors, education and awareness campaigns, bolstering traditional agricultural practices and “orangutan-friendly” produce.
* The site is the only place where the Tapanuli orangutan occurs.
* The site is the only place where the Tapanuli orangutan occurs.
[[File: Tapanuli_orangutan_Gabriella_Fredriksson.jpg | 400px | thumb| none | Tapanuli orangutan © Gabriella Fredriksson]]
[[File: Tapanuli_orangutan_Gabriella_Fredriksson.jpg | 400px | thumb| none | Tapanuli orangutan © Gabriella Fredriksson]]
= Site characteristics =
= Site characteristics =


The Batang Toru ecosystem is located in the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The site is the only place where the Tapanuli orangutan (''Pongo tapanuliensis'') occurs (Wich et al. 2019). Rich in faunal biodiversity, 91 species have been recorded at the site, including tapirs, sun bears, serow, golden cat, and the very rare Sumatran tiger. Bird surveys conducted between 2003 and 2015 have documented 311 species at the site. Although there are areas within Batang Toru that are protected, there are key areas that are still not protected ([https://www.batangtoru.org/ Batang Toru]).
The Batang Toru ecosystem is located in the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The site is the only place where the Tapanuli orangutan (''Pongo tapanuliensis'') occurs ([[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]). Rich in faunal biodiversity, 91 species have been recorded at the site, including tapirs, sun bears, serow, golden cat, and the very rare Sumatran tiger. Bird surveys conducted between 2003 and 2015 have documented 311 species at the site. Although there are areas within Batang Toru that are protected, there are key areas that are still not protected ([https://www.batangtoru.org/ Batang Toru]).


'''Table 1. Basic site information for Batang Toru Ecosystem'''
'''Table 1. Basic site information for Batang Toru Ecosystem'''
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= Ape status =
= Ape status =


The Tapanuli orangutan was first described as a distinct species in 2017 (Nater et al. 2017). Within the Batang Toru Ecosystem, the species is found in three main forest blocks: the west block, with 581 individuals (95% CI 180–1,201); the east block, with 162 individuals (95% CI 46–341), and the Sibual-buali Reserve with 24 individuals (95% CI 6–53) and possibly small populations to the north and/or in the Lubuk Raya Reserve (Wich et al. 2019). About 85% of the total population is under some level of protection; the remaining 15% of their geographic range is land for other uses (Wich et al. 2019).
The Tapanuli orangutan was first described as a distinct species in 2017 ([[#R00114|Nater et al. 2017]]). Within the Batang Toru Ecosystem, the species is found in three main forest blocks: the west block, with 581 individuals (95% CI 180–1,201); the east block, with 162 individuals (95% CI 46–341), and the Sibual-buali Reserve with 24 individuals (95% CI 6–53) and possibly small populations to the north and/or in the Lubuk Raya Reserve ([[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]). About 85% of the total population is under some level of protection; the remaining 15% of their geographic range is land for other uses ([[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]).


'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Batang Toru Ecosystem'''
'''Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Batang Toru Ecosystem'''
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|Line transects
|Line transects
|
|
|Wich et al. 2019
|[[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]
|
|
|
|
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!Description
!Description
!Year of threat
!Year of threat
|-
|3 Energy production & mining
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Gold and silver mining ([[#R01993|batangtoru.org]]).
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|4 Transportation & service corridors
|4.1 Roads & railroads
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|In connection to the construction of the hydroelectric dam, over 20 km of road and 14 km of electricity transmission lines are planned to cross through orangutan habitat ([[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]).
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Illegal killing of orangutans as a result of human-wildlife conflict situations. Orangutans are also partly hunted for bushmeat (Wich et al. 2012; Wich et al. 2019).
|Illegal killing of orangutans as a result of human-wildlife conflict situations. Orangutans are also partly hunted for bushmeat ([[#R00117|Wich et al. 2012]]; [[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]).
|2012-Ongoing (2019)
|2012-Ongoing (2019)
|-
|-
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|5.1.5 Persecution/human wildlife conflict
|5.1.5 Persecution/human wildlife conflict
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|Illegal killing of orangutans as a result of human-wildlife conflict situations. Orangutans are also partly hunted for bushmeat (Wich et al. 2012, Wich et al. 2019, Sherman et al. 2022).
|Illegal killing of orangutans as a result of human-wildlife conflict situations. Orangutans are also partly hunted for bushmeat ([[#R00117|Wich et al. 2012]], [[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]], [[#R00115|Sherman et al. 2022]]).
|2012-Ongoing (2022)
|2012-Ongoing (2022)
|-
|4 Transportation & service corridors
|4.1 Roads & railroads
|Medium (30-70% of population affected)
|In connection to the construction of the hydroelectric dam, over 20 km of road and 14 km of electricity transmission lines are planned to cross through orangutan habitat (Wich et al. 2019).
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|9 Pollution
|9.4 Garbage & solid waste
|Present (unknown severity)
|In connection to the construction of the hydroelectric dam, at least 3 million m3 of excavated spoil is planned to be dumped in orangutan habitat (Wich et al. 2019).
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|3 Energy production & mining
|3.2 Mining & quarrying
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|Gold and silver mining ([https://www.batangtoru.org/threats/mining/ batangtoru.org]).
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|-
|5 Biological resource use
|5 Biological resource use
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|7.2 Dams & water management/use
|7.2 Dams & water management/use
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|High (more than 70% of population affected)
|The construction of a hydropower plant, proposed by North Sumatera Hydro Energy, a Jakarta-based firm, implemented by Sinohydro, China’s national hydropower agency. (Laurance et al. 2020). The dam was planned in an area with the highest Tapanuli orangutan densities (Wich et al. 2019). The construction of the dam has already commenced (Wich pers. comm. 2023).
|The construction of a hydropower plant, proposed by North Sumatera Hydro Energy, a Jakarta-based firm, implemented by Sinohydro, China’s national hydropower agency. ([[#R00112|Laurance et al. 2020]]). The dam was planned in an area with the highest Tapanuli orangutan densities ([[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]). The construction of the dam has already commenced (Wich pers. comm. 2023).
|Ongoing (2023)
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|9 Pollution
|9.4 Garbage & solid waste
|Present (unknown severity)
|In connection to the construction of the hydroelectric dam, at least 3 million m3 of excavated spoil is planned to be dumped in orangutan habitat ([[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]).
|Ongoing (2019)
|-
|10 Geological events
|10.3 Avalanches/landslides
|Low (up to 30% of population affected)
|An extreme multi-day rainfall event in November 2025 triggered widespread landslides throughout the West Block of the Batang Toru ecosystem, causing an estimated 11.7% loss of forest cover within the largest remaining habitat of the Tapanuli orangutan. Spatial analyses indicate that approximately 58 orangutans (range 18–120), or 11% of the population, may have been affected, highlighting the potentially severe consequences of extreme climatic events for this Critically Endangered species ([[#R00113|Meijaard et al. 2026]]).
|2025
|}
|}


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!Implementing organization(s)
!Implementing organization(s)
!Year of activity
!Year of activity
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|Protected areas existing within the site (Lubuk Raya Nature Reserve, Dolok Sipirok Nature Reserve, Dolok Sibual-Buali Nature Reserve).
|
|1982-Ongoing (2025)
|-
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|Other
|Mitigation of human wildlife conflict activities were reported, but details are unknown (Sherman et al. 2022).
|
|Ongoing (2022)
|-
|-
|1 Development impact mitigation
|1 Development impact mitigation
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|4 Education & awareness
|4 Education & awareness
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
|4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use
|The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme implement community awareness and education programmes with the communities living near the forest edge and local schools ([https://www.sumatranorangutan.org/our-work/habitat-protection/batang-toru-ecosystem/ SOCP], Wich pers. comm. 2023).
|The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme implement community awareness and education programmes with the communities living near the forest edge and local schools ([[#R02016|SOCP]], Wich pers. comm. 2023).
|
|
|Ongoing (2023)
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.2 Legally protect ape habitat
|Protected areas existing within the site (Lubuk Raya Nature Reserve, Dolok Sipirok Nature Reserve, Dolok Sibual-Buali Nature Reserve).
|
|1982-Ongoing (2026)
|-
|-
|5 Protection & restoration
|5 Protection & restoration
|5.6 Habitat restoration
|5.6 Habitat restoration
|Corridor program by the ([https://prcfoundation.org/prcf-indonesia/our-team/ PRCF]) designed to prevent genetic isolation of orangutans as well as other endangered arboreal species such as Siamang and Agile Gibbons that otherwise become stranded in Sibual Buali Nature Reserve (Wich pers. comm. 2023).
|Corridor program by the ([[#R02017|PRCF]]) designed to prevent genetic isolation of orangutans as well as other endangered arboreal species such as Siamang and Agile Gibbons that otherwise become stranded in Sibual Buali Nature Reserve (Wich pers. comm. 2023).
|
|
|Ongoing (2023)
|Ongoing (2023)
|-
|2 Counter-wildlife crime
|Other
|Mitigation of human wildlife conflict activities were reported, but details are unknown ([[#R00115|Sherman et al. 2022]]).
|
|Ongoing (2022)
|}
|}


[[Conservation activities]]  
[[Conservation activities]]  
<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: BatangToru field.jpeg | 300px | thumb| none | © PRCF Indonesia]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: BatangToru fieldteam.jpeg | 300px | thumb| none | © PRCF Indonesia]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: BatangToru fieldwork.jpeg | 300px | thumb| none |© PRCF Indonesia]] </li></ul></div>
<div><ul><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: BatangToru_field.jpeg | 300px | thumb| none | © PRCF Indonesia]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: BatangToru_fieldteam.jpeg | 300px | thumb| none | © PRCF Indonesia]] </li><li style="display: inline-block; vertical-align: top;"> [[File: BatangToru_fieldwork.jpeg | 300px | thumb| none |© PRCF Indonesia]] </li></ul></div>
= Challenges =
= Challenges =


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!Source
!Source
!Year(s)
!Year(s)
|-
|1 Site management
|1.2 Need for improved coordination
|[[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]
|
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|4.1 Lack of law enforcement
|Wich et al. 2012
|[[#R00117|Wich et al. 2012]]
|
|
|-
|-
|4 Institutional support
|4 Institutional support
|4.2 Lack of government support
|4.2 Lack of government support
|Wich et al. 2019; Laurance et al. 2020
|[[#R00118|Wich et al. 2019]]; [[#R00112|Laurance et al. 2020]]
|
|-
|1 Site management
|1.2 Need for improved coordination
|Wich et al. 2019
|
|
|}
|}
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= Research activities =
= Research activities =


SOCP staff are present at the [https://www.sumatranorangutan.org/our-work/habitat-protection/batang-toru-ecosystem/ Batang Toru Monitoring Station], established in 2006. The station is the only one focused on studying the Tapanuli orangutans.
[[#R02016|SOCP]] staff are present at the [https://www.sumatranorangutan.org/our-work/habitat-protection/batang-toru-ecosystem/ Batang Toru Monitoring Station], established in 2006. The station is the only one focused on studying the Tapanuli orangutans.


[[File: Researc_camp_Batang_Toru_Perry_van_Duijnhoven.JPG | 400px | thumb| none | Research camp in Batang Toru © Perry van Duijnhoven]]
[[File: Researc_camp_Batang_Toru_Perry_van_Duijnhoven.JPG | 400px | thumb| none | Research camp in Batang Toru © Perry van Duijnhoven]]
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= References =
= References =


Laurance, W. F., Wich, S. A., Onrizal, O., Fredriksson, G., Usher, G., Santika, T., Byler, D., Mittermeier, R., Kormos, R., Williamson, E. A., & Meijaard, E. (2020). Tapanuli orangutan endangered by Sumatran hydropower scheme. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4(11), 1438-1439. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1263-x
<span id="R00112"></span>Laurance, W. F., Wich, S. A., Onrizal, O., Fredriksson, G., Usher, G., Santika, T., …, & Meijaard, E. (2020). Tapanuli orangutan endangered by Sumatran hydropower scheme. ''Nature Ecology & Evolution'', 4(11), 1438-1439. [https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-020-1263-x doi:10.1038/s41559-020-1263-x]
 
<span id="R00113"></span>Meijaard, E., Wafiy, M., Ni’Mattulah, S., Dennis, R., Hadisiswoyo, P., Sheil, D., …, & Wich, S. (2026). Extreme rainfall further endangers the world’s rarest great ape. ''Current Biology'', 36(12), 3176-3183.e2. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2026.05.029 doi:10.1016/j.cub.2026.05.029]
 
<span id="R00114"></span>Nater, A., Mattle-Greminger, M. P., Nurcahyo, A., Nowak, M. G., de Manuel, M., Desai, T., …, & Krützen, M. (2017). Morphometric, Behavioral, and Genomic Evidence for a New Orangutan Species. ''Current Biology'', 27(22), 3487-3498.e10. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.047 doi:10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.047]
 
<span id="R00115"></span>Sherman, J., Voigt, M., Ancrenaz, M., Wich, S. A., Qomariah, I. N., Lyman, E., …, & Meijaard, E. (2022). Orangutan killing and trade in Indonesia: Wildlife crime, enforcement, and deterrence patterns. ''Biological Conservation'', 276, 109744. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109744 doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109744]
 
<span id="R00116"></span>Wich, S. A. (2011). Orangutans and the economics of sustainable forest management in Sumatra. United Nations Environment Programme; Great Apes Survival Partnership; Pan Eco; Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari; World Agroforestry Centre; GRID-Arendal.


Nater, A., Mattle-Greminger, M. P., Nurcahyo, A., Nowak, M. G., de Manuel, M., Desai, T., Groves, C., Pybus, M., Sonay, T. B., Roos, C., Lameira, A. R., Wich, S. A., Askew, J., Davila-Ross, M., Fredriksson, G., de Valles, G., Casals, F., Prado-Martinez, J., Goossens, B., … Krützen, M. (2017). Morphometric, Behavioral, and Genomic Evidence for a New Orangutan Species. Current Biology, 27(22), 3487-3498.e10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.047
<span id="R00117"></span>Wich, S. A., Fredriksson, G. M., Usher, G., Peters, H. H., Priatna, D., Basalamah, F., …, & Kühl, H. (2012). Hunting of Sumatran orang-utans and its importance in determining distribution and density. ''Biological Conservation'', 146(1), 163-169. [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.12.006 doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.12.006]


Wich, S.A., Fredriksson, G. M., Usher, G., Peters, H. H., Priatna, D., Basalamah, F., Susanto, W., & Kühl, H. (2012). Hunting of Sumatran orang-utans and its importance in determining distribution and density. Biological Conservation, 146(1), 163-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2011.12.006
<span id="R00118"></span>Wich, S. A., Fredriksson, G., Usher, G., Kühl, H. S., & Nowak, M. G. (2019). The Tapanuli orangutan: Status, threats, and steps for improved conservation. ''Conservation Science and Practice'', 1(6). [https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.33 doi:10.1111/csp2.33]


Wich, Serge A., Fredriksson, G., Usher, G., Kühl, H. S., & Nowak, M. G. (2019). The Tapanuli orangutan: Status, threats, and steps for improved conservation. Conservation Science and Practice, 1(6), e33. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.33
<span id="R01993"></span>batangtoru.org. https://www.batangtoru.org/threats/mining/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20201114184653/https://www.batangtoru.org/threats/mining/ link]


Wich, Serge A., United Nations Environment Programme, Great Apes Survival Project, World Agroforestry Centre, & GRID--Arendal (Eds.). (2011). Orangutans and the economics of sustainable forest management in Sumatra. United Nations Environment Programme ; Great Apes Survival Partnership : Pan Eco : Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari : World Agroforestry Centre ; GRID-Arendal
<span id="R02016"></span>SOCP. https://www.sumatranorangutan.org/our-work/habitat-protection/batang-toru-ecosystem/ [https://web.archive.org/web/20230605072723/https://www.sumatranorangutan.org/our-work/habitat-protection/batang-toru-ecosystem/ link]


Sherman, J., Voigt, M., Ancrenaz, M., Wich, S. A., Qomariah, I. N., Lyman, E., Massingham, E., & Meijaard, E. (2022). Orangutan killing and trade in Indonesia: Wildlife crime, enforcement, and deterrence patterns. Biological Conservation, 276, 109744. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109744
<span id="R02017"></span>PRCF. https://prcfoundation.org/prcf-indonesia/our-team/






'''Page created by: '''Serge Wich & Sinan Serhadli''' Date:''' 2023-11-09
'''Page created by: '''Serge Wich & Sinan Serhadli''' Date:''' 2023-11-09

Latest revision as of 20:10, 14 October 2026

Asia > Indonesia > Batang Toru Ecosystem

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Summary

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  • Tapanuli orangutans (Pongo tapanuliensis) are present in the Batang Toru Ecosystem.
  • It has been estimated that 767 (CI: 231-1,597) individuals occur in the site.
  • The orangutan population trend is decreasing.
  • The site has a total size of 1,023 km².
  • Key threats to orangutans include the construction of a hydropower plant, deforestation, and killings due to human-orangutan conflict and sometimes for bushmeat.
  • Conservation activities have focused on restoring habitat corridors, education and awareness campaigns, bolstering traditional agricultural practices and “orangutan-friendly” produce.
  • The site is the only place where the Tapanuli orangutan occurs.
Tapanuli orangutan © Gabriella Fredriksson

Site characteristics

The Batang Toru ecosystem is located in the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The site is the only place where the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) occurs (Wich et al. 2019). Rich in faunal biodiversity, 91 species have been recorded at the site, including tapirs, sun bears, serow, golden cat, and the very rare Sumatran tiger. Bird surveys conducted between 2003 and 2015 have documented 311 species at the site. Although there are areas within Batang Toru that are protected, there are key areas that are still not protected (Batang Toru).

Table 1. Basic site information for Batang Toru Ecosystem

Species Pongo tapanuliensis
Area 1,023 km²
Coordinates Lat: 1.591162 , Lon: 99.064637
Type of site Non-protected area
Habitat types Subtropical/tropical dry forest, Subtropical/tropical moist lowland forest, Agricultural land, Subtropical/tropical heavily degraded former forest, Subtropical/tropical moist montane forest
Type of governance

Types of sites Governance types Habitat types

River in Batang Toru © Perry van Duijnhoven

Ape status

The Tapanuli orangutan was first described as a distinct species in 2017 (Nater et al. 2017). Within the Batang Toru Ecosystem, the species is found in three main forest blocks: the west block, with 581 individuals (95% CI 180–1,201); the east block, with 162 individuals (95% CI 46–341), and the Sibual-buali Reserve with 24 individuals (95% CI 6–53) and possibly small populations to the north and/or in the Lubuk Raya Reserve (Wich et al. 2019). About 85% of the total population is under some level of protection; the remaining 15% of their geographic range is land for other uses (Wich et al. 2019).

Table 2. Ape population estimates reported for Batang Toru Ecosystem

Species Year Occurrence Encounter or vistation rate (nests/km; ind/day) Density estimate [ind./ km²] (95% CI) Abundance estimate (95% CI) Survey area Sampling method Analytical framework Source Comments A.P.E.S. database ID
Pongo tapanuliensis 2000-2012 767 (231-1,597) Batang Toru, entire area Line transects Wich et al. 2019

Sampling methods Analytical frameworks

Threats

Table 3. Threats to apes reported for Batang Toru Ecosystem

Category Specific threats Threat level Description Year of threat
3 Energy production & mining 3.2 Mining & quarrying Low (up to 30% of population affected) Gold and silver mining (batangtoru.org). Ongoing (2023)
4 Transportation & service corridors 4.1 Roads & railroads Medium (30-70% of population affected) In connection to the construction of the hydroelectric dam, over 20 km of road and 14 km of electricity transmission lines are planned to cross through orangutan habitat (Wich et al. 2019). Ongoing (2019)
5 Biological resource use 5.1 Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals Medium (30-70% of population affected) Illegal killing of orangutans as a result of human-wildlife conflict situations. Orangutans are also partly hunted for bushmeat (Wich et al. 2012; Wich et al. 2019). 2012-Ongoing (2019)
5 Biological resource use 5.1.5 Persecution/human wildlife conflict Medium (30-70% of population affected) Illegal killing of orangutans as a result of human-wildlife conflict situations. Orangutans are also partly hunted for bushmeat (Wich et al. 2012, Wich et al. 2019, Sherman et al. 2022). 2012-Ongoing (2022)
5 Biological resource use 5.3 Logging & wood harvesting Low (up to 30% of population affected) Deforestation as a result of land-use change (e.g., infrastructure development, agricultural expansion, plantations). Ongoing (2023)
7 Natural system modifications 7.2 Dams & water management/use High (more than 70% of population affected) The construction of a hydropower plant, proposed by North Sumatera Hydro Energy, a Jakarta-based firm, implemented by Sinohydro, China’s national hydropower agency. (Laurance et al. 2020). The dam was planned in an area with the highest Tapanuli orangutan densities (Wich et al. 2019). The construction of the dam has already commenced (Wich pers. comm. 2023). Ongoing (2023)
9 Pollution 9.4 Garbage & solid waste Present (unknown severity) In connection to the construction of the hydroelectric dam, at least 3 million m3 of excavated spoil is planned to be dumped in orangutan habitat (Wich et al. 2019). Ongoing (2019)
10 Geological events 10.3 Avalanches/landslides Low (up to 30% of population affected) An extreme multi-day rainfall event in November 2025 triggered widespread landslides throughout the West Block of the Batang Toru ecosystem, causing an estimated 11.7% loss of forest cover within the largest remaining habitat of the Tapanuli orangutan. Spatial analyses indicate that approximately 58 orangutans (range 18–120), or 11% of the population, may have been affected, highlighting the potentially severe consequences of extreme climatic events for this Critically Endangered species (Meijaard et al. 2026). 2025

Threats

Conservation activities

Since 2005, the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) has worked towards the protection of Batang Toru. After a decade, SOCP has succeeded in establishing protected status for a large proportion of the forests. SOCP works with the Forestry Department of Indonesia to establish management in the field through their Forest Management Unit. SOCP also implements community awareness and education programmes with the communities living near the forest edge and local schools (SOCP).

The People Resources and Conservation Foundation (PRCF) in partnership with the local grassroots NGO Sumatran Rainforest Institute (SRI) is implementing an ARCUS supported community-based corridor program in South Tapanuli in liaison with five stakeholder villages, aiming to maintain forest cover between Sibual Buali Nature Reserve and the West Block of the Batang Toru Ecosystem and increase the tolerance towards orangutans in a shared landscape matrix. This corridor program is designed to prevent genetic isolation of orangutans as well as other endangered arboreal species such as Siamang and Agile Gibbons that otherwise become stranded in Sibual Buali Nature Reserve. The PRCF-SRI consortium is working on mitigating human-orangutan conflict and land conversion through working hand in hand with stakeholder communities in the corridor landscape in order to establish a landscape matrix in which orangutans are tolerated and free to disperse through. The program is planning to bolster already existing traditional agroforestry practices and strengthen customary forest management regimes to maintain a patchwork of different land use gradients ranging from natural forest to intensively managed agroforests. To mitigate the livelihood impacts of crop raiding (especially during the durian season) and in turn change attitudes towards orangutans the program aims to establish Village Self-help Groups and farmer cooperatives that benefit from better market connections for “orangutan-friendly produce (e.g. coffee, cocoa, vanilla). The overall long-term aim is to promote environmental stewardship by local stakeholder communities through institutional capacity building to sustainably manage a landscape that is functioning as an ecological corridor for the critically endangered Tapanuli Orangutan and at the same time is the livelihood source for local people.

Table 4. Conservation activities reported for Batang Toru Ecosystem

Category Specific activity Description Implementing organization(s) Year of activity
1 Development impact mitigation 1.6 Change of crop (i.e., to a crop less palatable to apes) To mitigate the livelihood impacts of crop raiding (especially during the durian season) and in turn change attitudes towards orangutans PRCF's corridor program aims to establish Village Self-help Groups and farmer cooperatives that benefit from better market connections for “orangutan-friendly” produce (e.g. coffee, cocoa, vanilla) (Wich pers. comm. 2023). Ongoing (2023)
4 Education & awareness 4.1 Educate local communities about apes and sustainable use The Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme implement community awareness and education programmes with the communities living near the forest edge and local schools (SOCP, Wich pers. comm. 2023). Ongoing (2023)
5 Protection & restoration 5.2 Legally protect ape habitat Protected areas existing within the site (Lubuk Raya Nature Reserve, Dolok Sipirok Nature Reserve, Dolok Sibual-Buali Nature Reserve). 1982-Ongoing (2026)
5 Protection & restoration 5.6 Habitat restoration Corridor program by the (PRCF) designed to prevent genetic isolation of orangutans as well as other endangered arboreal species such as Siamang and Agile Gibbons that otherwise become stranded in Sibual Buali Nature Reserve (Wich pers. comm. 2023). Ongoing (2023)
2 Counter-wildlife crime Other Mitigation of human wildlife conflict activities were reported, but details are unknown (Sherman et al. 2022). Ongoing (2022)

Conservation activities

  • © PRCF Indonesia
  • © PRCF Indonesia
  • © PRCF Indonesia

Challenges

Table 5. Challenges reported for Batang Toru Ecosystem

Challenges Specific challenges Source Year(s)
1 Site management 1.2 Need for improved coordination Wich et al. 2019
4 Institutional support 4.1 Lack of law enforcement Wich et al. 2012
4 Institutional support 4.2 Lack of government support Wich et al. 2019; Laurance et al. 2020

Challenges

Oil palm plantation © Perry van Duijnhoven

Enablers

Table 6. Enablers reported for Batang Toru Ecosystem

Enablers Specific enablers Source Year(s)
1 Site management
2 Resources and capacity
3 Engaged community
4 Institutional support
5 Ecological context
6 Safety and stability

Enablers

Research activities

SOCP staff are present at the Batang Toru Monitoring Station, established in 2006. The station is the only one focused on studying the Tapanuli orangutans.

Research camp in Batang Toru © Perry van Duijnhoven

Documented behaviours

Table 7. Behaviours documented for Batang Toru Ecosystem

Category Behavior Observation type Prevalence Observation dates Source Habituation Species Comment
Not reported

Behaviours

Exposure to climate change impacts

External links

Batang Toru

Mongabay- Batang Toru Hydropower Plant

Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme

PRCF

Sumatran Rainforest Institute

References

Laurance, W. F., Wich, S. A., Onrizal, O., Fredriksson, G., Usher, G., Santika, T., …, & Meijaard, E. (2020). Tapanuli orangutan endangered by Sumatran hydropower scheme. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 4(11), 1438-1439. doi:10.1038/s41559-020-1263-x

Meijaard, E., Wafiy, M., Ni’Mattulah, S., Dennis, R., Hadisiswoyo, P., Sheil, D., …, & Wich, S. (2026). Extreme rainfall further endangers the world’s rarest great ape. Current Biology, 36(12), 3176-3183.e2. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2026.05.029

Nater, A., Mattle-Greminger, M. P., Nurcahyo, A., Nowak, M. G., de Manuel, M., Desai, T., …, & Krützen, M. (2017). Morphometric, Behavioral, and Genomic Evidence for a New Orangutan Species. Current Biology, 27(22), 3487-3498.e10. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.047

Sherman, J., Voigt, M., Ancrenaz, M., Wich, S. A., Qomariah, I. N., Lyman, E., …, & Meijaard, E. (2022). Orangutan killing and trade in Indonesia: Wildlife crime, enforcement, and deterrence patterns. Biological Conservation, 276, 109744. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2022.109744

Wich, S. A. (2011). Orangutans and the economics of sustainable forest management in Sumatra. United Nations Environment Programme; Great Apes Survival Partnership; Pan Eco; Yayasan Ekosistem Lestari; World Agroforestry Centre; GRID-Arendal.

Wich, S. A., Fredriksson, G. M., Usher, G., Peters, H. H., Priatna, D., Basalamah, F., …, & Kühl, H. (2012). Hunting of Sumatran orang-utans and its importance in determining distribution and density. Biological Conservation, 146(1), 163-169. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2011.12.006

Wich, S. A., Fredriksson, G., Usher, G., Kühl, H. S., & Nowak, M. G. (2019). The Tapanuli orangutan: Status, threats, and steps for improved conservation. Conservation Science and Practice, 1(6). doi:10.1111/csp2.33

batangtoru.org. https://www.batangtoru.org/threats/mining/ link

SOCP. https://www.sumatranorangutan.org/our-work/habitat-protection/batang-toru-ecosystem/ link

PRCF. https://prcfoundation.org/prcf-indonesia/our-team/


Page created by: Serge Wich & Sinan Serhadli Date: 2023-11-09