| Sumatran orangutan conservation involves a comprehensive approach, combining habitat protection, community engagement, and rehabilitation. National parks and reserves have been established to safeguard their habitats, with various organizations addressing deforestation root causes and advocating sustainable land use practices. Ensuring the long-term survival of the species requires protecting extensive areas of primary forest below 1,500 m asl. The Leuser Ecosystem, a key stronghold covering 26,000 km², supports approximately 95% of wild Sumatran orangutans. Conservation of the Leuser Ecosystem is mandated by Indonesian law, emphasizing its environmental function and calling for its recognition and integrity in all levels of spatial land-use planning. The 9,000 km² Gunung Leuser National Park, part of the Leuser Ecosystem and designated by UNESCO, supports 25.3% of Sumatra's orangutans (Singleton et al. 2023). Despite dense lowland forest areas outside the park, also part of the Leuser Ecosystem, no other formally-established conservation areas outside it harbor this endangered species. | | Sumatran orangutan conservation involves a comprehensive approach, combining habitat protection, community engagement, and rehabilitation. National parks and reserves have been established to safeguard their habitats, with various organizations addressing deforestation root causes and advocating sustainable land use practices. Ensuring the long-term survival of the species requires protecting extensive areas of primary forest below 1,500 m asl. The Leuser Ecosystem, a key stronghold covering 26,000 km², supports approximately 95% of wild Sumatran orangutans. Conservation of the Leuser Ecosystem is mandated by Indonesian law, emphasizing its environmental function and calling for its recognition and integrity in all levels of spatial land-use planning. The 9,000 km² Gunung Leuser National Park, part of the Leuser Ecosystem and designated by UNESCO, supports 25.3% of Sumatra's orangutans (Singleton et al. 2023). Despite dense lowland forest areas outside the park, also part of the Leuser Ecosystem, no other formally-established conservation areas outside it harbor this endangered species. |