Habitat Loss
Sumatra has lost a significant proportion of its natural forest due to deforestation, increased farming and mining of its natural resources. The increasing human population in Indonesia means that there is a growing demand on the countries natural resources and land for the development of palm oil plantations and other farming and mining practices. Although the Indonesian government is committed to conservation, the national parks appear to have experienced severe encroachment from illegal logging companies, and it is estimated that 80% of natural forests have been destroyed, replaced mostly by Palm oil plantations. Sumatra is rich in mineral resources, hardwoods, rubber, coffee, sugar, rice, fruits, vegetables and palm oil, these have been developed both locally and on industrial scales. The increasing urbanisation of people and the infrastructures they require, has forced animal populations into smaller habitats with very few wildlife corridors available to them, which further contributes to reducing their numbers and viable genetics for re-population. Sumatra possesses a rich biodiversity of animals that are endemic only to this Island but they are increasingly in small populations which could soon become unsustainable.
Species at Risk
Sumatran Orang-utan is the most Iconic animal species on the Island. There are three species of Orang-utan worldwide, one is native only to Borneo (Pongo Pygmaeus) which are larger in numbers in comparison to the two Sumatran species (Pongo Abelli) and the third, the Tapanuli Orang-utan (Pongo Tapanuliensis) was first identified in 1997 by the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Program (SOCP) www.sumatranorangutan.org and other NGO’S, following further study it the Tapanuli Orang-utan was formally announced in 2017 as a third species of Orang-utan. It is estimated that there might be as few as 800 Tapanuli Orang-utan left, they are registered as critically endangered on the IUCN Red list and found only in the Batangtoru forest in Northern Sumatra. All species are in need of conservation with population numbers in decline. There are fears for the extinction of both Sumatran species due to their shrinking habitat.
The Orang-utan is a key stone species and by conserving the Sumatran Orang-utan and their natural habitat millions of insects, thousands of plants and hundreds of other mammal species would be protected.
OTHER SUMATRAN SPECIES WHICH ARE ENDANGERED AND SOME WHICH ARE FACING EXTINCTION
The Sumatran Tiger (Panthera tigris Sumatra); is the smallest of the five species of tigers worldwide and lives only on the Island of Sumatra. Their population in the wild is fragmented and it is estimated that there are only between 200-400 individuals left. Along with their habitat loss, They are being pushed to extinction due to hunting an poaching. There are estimated to be 270 Sumatran Tigers in captivity which in some countries are part of breeding programs but is seems many countries including Sumatra are not part of this program.
Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus sumatrensis); is registered as endangered, with decreasing numbers of approximately 2,440 to 3,350 individuals. The Elephant is responsible for clearing dense forests, they are the forest ‘gardeners’ and as such they play an important part in the forest ecosystem renewal.
Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis); population numbers in the wild are estimated as low as 300 with captive breeding proving to be difficult. The additional threat for this species as well as habitat loss is the trade in rhino horn, as with the elephant they have their part to play in habitat ecosystem renewal.
Sumatran Sun Bear (Helarctos malyanus malaynus); is listed as endangered mostly due to hunting and deforestation. They are arboreal and help the forest with seed dispersal. The Sun bears are hunted for bile from their gallbladders which is used for its perceived medicinal qualities in some countries and for their paws which are used to make soup.
Hairy-nosed otter (Lutra sumatrana); is one of the rarest of the worlds 13 Otter species, and is on the verge of extinction, it is only found in small numbers living in the wild in Vietnam, Thailand and Sumatra. Otters are on the top of the preditor chain and important for wetland habitiats. It is thought that pollution of the waterways by mineral mining, habitat loss, hunting and human disturbance due to new roads to palm oil plantations and new urbanisations are responsible for their declining numbers.
Flying Fox (Pteropus vampyrus), fruit bat. They were once plentiful on the Island living in colonies of hundreds of thousands, they are now listed as near threatened on the IUCN red list. They are hunted for their percieved medicinal idiology to cure asthma and are sold alive at the road side and in the markets. The recent zoonosis pandemic and possible cross contamination from Bat to Pangolin to human may or may not have helped their survival.
Malay Tapir (Tapirus indicus); is the largest of five Tapir species, they occupy forest habitats which vary from the edges of the forest to steep forested hills. They are the key disperses of some communities of plants over large areas and therefore vital for the ecosystem of forests. The Malay Tapir in Sumatra is endangered with populations trends decreasing due to deforestation, tiger predation and hunting.
The Habitat and Wildlife Conservation Society (HAWCS) raises awareness and funds to support other NGO’s working directly in the field of conservation and protection within Sumatra. HAWCS aims are to assist other organisations by supporting their efforts in the environmental education of the indigenous community but also to expand on the importance of protecting, conserving and preserving the biodiversity contained within the forests.
