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The status of the Sumatran orang-utan Pongo abelii: an update

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 February 2003

S. A. Wich ,
I. Singleton ,
S. S. Utami-Atmoko ,
M. L. Geurts ,
H. D. Rijksen  and
C. P. van Schaik
S. A. Wich
Affiliation:
Sumatran Orang-utan Conservation Programme, P.O. Box 1472, Medan 20001, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
I. Singleton
Affiliation:
Universitas Nasional, Jl. Sawo Manila, Ps. Minngu, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Utrecht University, Behavioural Biology, P.O. Box 80086, 3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
S. S. Utami-Atmoko
Affiliation:
Utrecht University, Behavioural Biology, P.O. Box 80086, 3508 TB, Utrecht, The Netherlands
M. L. Geurts
Affiliation:
Sumatran Orang-utan Conservation Programme, P.O. Box 1472, Medan 20001, Sumatera Utara, Indonesia
H. D. Rijksen
Affiliation:
Federation for International Nature Protection, Sparrenbos 19, 6705 BB Wageningen, The Netherlands
C. P. van Schaik
Affiliation:
Biological Anthropology and Anatomy, Duke University, Box 90383, Durham, NC 27708-0383, USA
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Abstract

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The Sumatran orang-utan Pongo abelii is categorized as Critically Endangered on the 2002 IUCN Red List. Although several reports have suggested that the species occurs in the region to the south of Lake Toba in Sumatra, Indonesia, their distribution is poorly known. In order to determine whether orang-utans still occur in this region we surveyed areas in which orang-utans have been reported as well as a number of other forested areas. Orang-utan signs were found in only two areas. This indicates that habitat loss and hunting have recently caused local extinctions. We combine these results with other available information to provide a summary of the current distribution of P. abelii in Sumatra and, based on our surveys, previous population estimates, and estimates of losses, we speculate that only c. 3,500 orang-utans still occur in the wild in Sumatra at the end of 2002.

Keywords

IndonesiaLake Tobaorang-utanPongo abeliiPrimatesSumatra
Type
Articles
Information
Oryx , Volume 37 , Issue 1 , January 2003 , pp. 49 - 54
Copyright
2003 Flora & Fauna International