Upswing in the world’s largest orangutan population

Posted on November, 11 2015

Over a decade of WWF work in Sebangau in Indonesia is starting to bear fruit.
Over a decade of WWF work in Sebangau in Indonesia is starting to bear fruit. The orangutan population – the largest in the world – has risen by 7 per cent since 2007, and now stands at 5,826 individuals. WWF started work in Sebangau in 2002 and was the main partner of the government during the establishment of the national park in 2004.

In other positive news, the Dwima group has committed to supporting the conservation of the species in all their timber concessions, which cover almost 450,000 hectares. This kind of commitment is critical to the survival of the species since 70 percent of orangutans live outside protected areas – mainly in logging concessions.
Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) female swinging through the trees with male baby. Gunung Leuser National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia.
© naturepl.com/Anup Shah / WWF