Conservation

This is one of the greatest rarest apes. It was only first discovered in 2017! It is listed as critically endangered by the IUCN and in Appendix I of CITES. They are endemic to the Tapanuli district of northwestern Sumatra. It has the smallest geographic range of any great ape. They are threatened by ilegal logging and forest conversions to agriculture land. They are also killed by humans who hunt them or are attempting to get rid of them from local plantations (where orangutans can sometimes venture into). Baby orangutans are at threat of being traded illegally, mainly to become pets. A proposed hydroelectric project could nearly destroy the rest of its habitat. With its declining population, long life expectancy, and low reproductive rates, this species is in dire need of vigorous protection.