Orangutan, Indonesia, 1998 Logging, Indonesia, 1999

The last refuges for the critically endangered Orangutan are the rapidly disappearing forests of Indonesia.

This unique archipelago is home to around 80 per cent of the world’s remaining wild Orangutans. Yet the escalating systematic pillaging of these forests, orchestrated by those looking to make short-term profits, is driving the country to an environmental catastrophe with devastating implications for the future of one of mankind’s closest relatives.

The orangutan is Asia’s only Great Ape and as a keystone species is an indicator of the ecological health of its environment; dwindling populations reflect the deteriorating ecological health of Indonesia’s remaining forests.

At the turn of the century 315,000 Orangutans existed in the wild. Today, as few as 20,000 remain in the forests of Sumatra and Borneo. Orangutan populations have declined by 50 per cent over the last ten years alone – a frightening decline. In Sumatra they are disappearing at a rate of 1000 individuals a year; in Borneo it is estimated to be higher. The orangutan crisis is so profound that in 2000 the World Conservation Union (IUCN) raised the status of the Sumatran Orangutan to “critically endangered”, and the Bornean Orangutan to “endangered” from “vulnerable”. The Orangutan has been listed on Appendix I of the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which bans international trade, yet hunting of young Orangutans for the pet trade continues.

The conservation imperative is all the more urgent as two distinct species of Orangutan – the Sumatran and Bornean have now been recognised. Orangutans are disappearing due to the destruction of their forest habitat. Even protected areas - the last strongholds with viable populations of Orangutans – are being devastated by illegal logging. EIA is working with local organisations on the ground in two key National Parks – Gunung Leuser in Sumatra and Tanjung Puting in Kalimantan – in an effort to stem the tide and secure a future for the unique old man of the forest.

Latest from the Orangutans Campaign:

Campaign Update: 15 May 09
EIA Advises UK Government Consultation on EU Illegal Timber Regulation

Press Release: 19 Mar 09
Economic downturn no excuse for EU's failure to ban trade in illegal timber

Press Release: 14 Oct 08
TOP UK store withdraws tropical rainforest flooring

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REPORTS & BRIEFINGS
Publication produced by EIA as part of the Orangutans Campaign

FURTHER INFORMATION
Background details and supplementary campaign information.