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The Tapanuli orangutan (''Pongo tapanuliensis'') is a distinct species of orangutan found exclusively in the forests of the [[Batang Toru Ecosystem]] in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The geographic distribution of the Tapanuli orangutan is notably restricted, encompassing an area of approximately 1,000 square kilometers, making it one of the most geographically constrained great ape species (Meijaard et al. 2021). Tapanuli orangutans are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (Nowak et al. 2023). This designation highlights the severity of the threats facing the species and the urgency required for conservation efforts. It has been estimated that fewer than 800 Tapanuli orangutans persist in the wild (Wich et al. 2019).

The Tapanuli orangutan (''Pongo tapanuliensis'') is a distinct species of orangutan found exclusively in the forests of the [[Batang Toru Ecosystem]] in North Sumatra, Indonesia. The geographic distribution of the Tapanuli orangutan is notably restricted, encompassing an area of approximately 1,000 square kilometers, making it one of the most geographically constrained great ape species (Meijaard et al. 2021). Tapanuli orangutans are classified as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (Nowak et al. 2023). This designation highlights the severity of the threats facing the species and the urgency required for conservation efforts. It has been estimated that fewer than 800 Tapanuli orangutans persist in the wild (Wich et al. 2019).

[[File: Tapanuli_orangutan_Gabriella_Fredriksson.jpg | 400px | thumb| right | Tapanuli orangutan © Gabriella Fredriksson]]  

[[File: Tapanuli_orangutan_Gabriella_Fredriksson.jpg | 400px | thumb| right | Tapanuli orangutan © Gabriella Fredriksson]]  

'''Threats'''

'''Threats'''

The primary threat to the Tapanuli orangutan's existence is habitat loss, a consequence of logging activities, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development encroaching upon the Batang Toru forest (Meijaard et al. 2021). The ongoing construction of a hydroelectric dam in the area of highest orangutan density is further exacerbating the precarious situation, posing a direct threat to the species and its ecosystem. Mining, hunting, and conflict-killing also threaten Tapanuli orangutans (Meijaard et al. 2021).

The primary threat to the Tapanuli orangutan's existence is habitat loss, a consequence of logging activities, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development encroaching upon the Batang Toru forest (Meijaard et al. 2021). The ongoing construction of a hydroelectric dam in the area of highest orangutan density is further exacerbating the precarious situation, posing a direct threat to the species and its ecosystem. Mining, hunting, and conflict-killing also threaten Tapanuli orangutans (Meijaard et al. 2021).

'''Conservation'''

'''Conservation'''

The People Resources and Conservation Foundation ([https://prcfoundation.org/ PRCF]) in partnership with the local grassroots NGO Sumatran Rainforest Institute ([http://sumatranrainforest.org/ 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 People Resources and Conservation Foundation ([https://prcfoundation.org/ PRCF]) in partnership with the local grassroots NGO Sumatran Rainforest Institute ([http://sumatranrainforest.org/ 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.

'''References'''

'''References'''