by millionairemind » Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:26 pm
Sumatran orang-utan now in serious decline
By Ian Wood
Last Updated: 11:25am BST 09/07/2008Page 1 of 3
The Sumatran orang-utan is now in such serious decline that it will take extraordinary efforts to prevent it becoming the first great ape species to become extinct.
The warning emerges from a compilation of a major orang-utan survey in 2004 together with the latest data available on populations in its forest habitat in Sumatra and Borneo.
The new analysis is based on the loss of forest land on both islands since the last survey and confirms that only about 6,500 orangu-tans remain in Sumatra.
A report to be published in Oryx, the International Journal of Conservation, estimates that the figure of 54,000 animals in Borneo may now be 10 per cent too high.
Up to date information on populations is vital for drawing up a strategy to ensure their survival.
The research does show that there are actually more orang-utans in Borneo than previously known but that recent reductions in populations are far more severe than previously thought.
Although the situation is extremely serious the report does highlight some reasons for cautious optimism for their long-term survival.
Dr Martin Fisher, Editor of Oryx said: "The 16 authors who produced this report represent a global consensus of the world's leading orang-utan biologists. "
The report finds that the relatively small population of Sumatran orang-utan is stable, ironically due to human conflict in the Aceh region which has resulted in less forest loss.
Despite the optimism expressed in the report about the current political situation, it is clear that unless urgent action is taken to protect the remaining populations, we can expect further population declines," Dr Fisher said.
Orang-utans are the only great apes found in Asia and today their distribution is restricted to Sumatra and Borneo with those on each island regarded as unique species.
They are particularly vulnerable to extinction due to their long inter-birth interval of about 7 years and are increasingly restricted to smaller forest fragments.
The minimum size for a viable population is considered to be 250 and the report highlights that there are now just 6 remaining groups of this number or more in Sumatra. In Borneo the news is better with 32 separate groups found to contain at least this amount.
Another fact highlighted by the current data is that 75% of all orang-utans occur outside national parks where forests have been suffering from illegal logging, mining, encroachment by palm oil plantations and fires.
In many cases the report states that the appropriate authorities are either unable or reluctant to implement conservation management effectively. However there is evidence that improved protected area management can be attained.
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