A natural disaster in Indonesia could lead to the disappearance of the world's rarest orangutans
Four days of heavy rainfall and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra may have brought the Tapanuli orangutan—the rarest species of great ape on the planet—significantly closer to extinction.
Researchers estimate that approximately 58 animals died during Cyclone Senyar, representing about 7% of the total population, which numbers fewer than 800 individuals and is already in critical condition.
The study’s authors note that these estimates are conservative, as they do not account for the indirect consequences of the disaster—the destruction of forest cover, a reduction in the food supply, and long-term deterioration of living conditions.
Cyclone “Senar” became one of the deadliest natural disasters in Southeast Asia in 2025, claiming the lives of over a thousand people and destroying vast areas of tropical forest. Researchers emphasize that the scale of the destruction was significantly exacerbated by human-induced climate change.
Professor Eric Mayard of Borneo Futures initially estimated the loss at around 35 animals, but new data has raised that figure to 58. He called the situation “a serious blow to the population.”
Scientists warn that the species, discovered only in 2017, could go extinct if annual losses exceed 1% of the population. Of particular concern is that extreme weather events in the region are predicted to become more frequent and intense.
Indonesian authorities have temporarily restricted large-scale industrial projects in the Batang Toru area to assess the extent of environmental damage. However, researchers emphasize that the destruction caused by the cyclone has once again demonstrated the species’ extreme vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.
This is reported by the BBC.
