Orang utan numbers rise in Sarawak

Forest dwellers: Orang utan seen along Sungai Kinabatangan in Sabah. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star

KUCHING: The orang utan population in Sarawak’s Ulu Sungai Menyang special conservation area has grown over the past deca­de, according to the latest assessment conducted this year.

Sarawak Forestry Corpo­ra­tion (SFC) said the survey, carried out by WWF-Malaysia’s terres­trial mammals team, estimated around 167 orang utan, up from about 115 recorded in 2014.

Despite the encouraging trend, SFC cautioned that challenges remain as the Bornean orang utan is still listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

“This positive indication reflects the impact of our sustained mana­gement efforts and strong collabo­ration with the state Forest Dep­art­ment, Wildlife Conser­vation Society (WCS) Malaysia, Borneo Adventure, WWF-Malaysia and local communities.

“While the results are promising, continued vigilance is essential. Orang utan are highly sensitive to habitat changes, and long-term protection must remain a priority,” said SFC general mana­ger Abang Arabi Abang Aimran in a statement yesterday.

Ulu Sungai Menyang in Batang Ai is the only known viable orang utan population outside fully protected areas in Sarawak, currently accounting for about 8% of the state’s total orang utan population.

WWF-Malaysia Sarawak conservation programme head Cyn­thia Chin stressed that any new development in Ulu Sungai Men­yang must be carefully plan­ned to safeguard conservation gains.

“Development is a much-needed driver of progress for Sarawak. The challenge, and opportunity before us, is to position the state as a regional example of building infrastructure while maintaining biodiversity and natural heritage,” she said.

WCS Malaysia country director Dr Mark Rayan Darmaraj high­­ligh­ted Ulu Sungai Menyang as a model landscape demons­trating how community stew­ard­ship and strong partnerships can achieve measurable conservation outcomes.

“Orang utan are vital seed dispersers and indicators of forest health. Protecting them helps secure the resilience of Sarawak’s forests and the many benefits they provide,” he said.

SFC also noted that the upcoming revision of the Sarawak Orang Utan Strategic Action Plan would provide the framework for long-term scientific monitoring and research, better law enforcement and patrols, habitat management and connectivity planning, community engagement and sustainable livelihood initiatives in key orang utan landscapes.

“SFC will continue working with all stakeholders to safeguard Sarawak’s natural heritage so future generations can continue to benefit from our rich forests and wildlife,” Abang Arabi added.