New Species of Orangutan - The Tapanuli Orangutan скачать в хорошем качестве

New Species of Orangutan - The Tapanuli Orangutan

The researchers believe the newly identified ‘Tapanuli’ orangutan is genetically different from both Bornean and Sumatran orangutans, and whilst found in North Sumatra, is more closely related to the Bornean orangutan. It is believed the three orangutan species: Bornean, Sumatran and now Tapanuli, began to diverge from their common ancestor about 3.4 million years ago. I suppose inevitably, this exciting news is edged in sadness. Tapanuli orangutans are now only found in a small fragment - 1,100 square kilometres - of remaining habitat in North Sumatra and we believe less than 800 individuals survive. And like so many vulnerable species today, they are facing threats on multiple levels - mining concessions, a proposed hydro-dam, land encroachment, and relentless illegal logging. It is tragic that at the same time we’re discovering a new species of great ape in the 21st Century, we are also having to take urgent action to prevent their extinction, along with their Sumatran and Bornean cousins. I had the privilege of seeing these remarkable orangutans first hand, a couple of years ago, with one of the scientists working on researching the population – and I know you’ll join with me in fighting as hard as we can, to make sure this precious population – a true rare find – is given the protection it needs not just to survive, but thrive. SOCP, a Sumatran program that TOP helps fund, along with other dedicated organisations and individuals have been working with the Government in Tapanuli since 2005 and in 2014 saw some success with protection status being granted to most (but not all) of the forest. The Tapanuli orangutan population is currently fragmented between three sections of forest, separated by roads and agriculture, so next urgent steps include reconnecting key populations through corridor development and of course, protecting all that remains of their habitat.