For immediate release on 2 December 2009

Putussibau, West Kalimantan (02/12) -There are four great apes species in the world, such as: gorilla, chimpanzee, baboon, and orangutan. Orangutan habitually lived in Asia and the rest lived in Africa. Generally, orangutan in Indonesia distributed in Borneo Island and Sumatera, with two different species which is Pongo pygmaeus in Borneo and Pongo abelii in Sumatera. In Borneo part, especially in Indonesia, orangutan distributed in Kalimantan Island in three provinces which is West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and East Kalimantan. Whereas, in Malaysia part orangutan found in the state of Sabah and Sarawak. Orangutan in Borneo consists of three sub species which is Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus, Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii, and Pongo pygmaeus morio. The total population of orangutan in Borneo today is approximately 55,000 individuals. From three sub species exist in Borneo, two sub species are found lived in West Kalimantan, they are Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus and Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii.
In order to discover the population distribution and conservation status of P. p. pygmaeus, WWF-Indonesia has been developed collaboration with Betung Kerihun National Park (BKNP) to carry out survey of orangutan habitat and population around BKNP areas in 2005. Survey that has been carried through along 2005 came with results that there are about 1.030 individuals (550 - 1.830) still survived in BKNP areas up until today. According to Chief of BKNP Service, Ludvie Ahmad, there are approximately 700 individuals of orangutan that lived concentrate in western part of the National Park, which is at Embaloh Sub Watershed.
Meanwhile, in order to discover about habitat and population distribution of orangutan in Danau Sentarum National Park (DSNP), WWF-Indonesia in collaboration with DSNP Service also with local community representatives from four villages (Melemba, Sungai Ajung, Mensiau, and Labian) carried out 1st Period survey at March 2 to 21, 2009 in the forest along Labian-Leboyan River. In the 2nd Period survey, June 21 to July 25, 2009 survey been carried out at the entire forest areas surround the DSNP, whether it is in protected forest or in oil palm plantation concession area, including forest which located in wildlife corridor proposed area. These surveys also aimed to accomplish orangutan population identification in BKNP and DSNP that has rigid potential to be connected through wildlife corridor proposed area.
According to Chief of DSNP Service, Ir. H. M. Soewignyo, orangutan population lived in the wildlife corridor is approximately 581 individuals. Based on the data analysis, founded nest that manage to observe in all of survey location is 1.098 nests in total. Orangutan population estimated in all of survey location that covers 131.509 acres of forest area is between 771 to 1.006 individuals. More than half of its population lived in the eastern part of National Park or corridor area that connected BKNP and DSNP.
The development process that has been carried through for such a long time in the area between BKNP and DSNP including for timber concession (HPH), plantation area, and settlement area purposes caused fragmentation of orangutan population in both national parks. M. Hermayani Putera (WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program Manager) also append that fragmented population is very well concerned will become threat to orangutan survival in long term. ""Therefore, it is necessary to develop wildlife corridor which connected both of the national parks based on land use management applied in areas between the two national parks. According to Focus Group Discussion held in May 2009 in Bogor which involved orangutan expert from Perhimpunan Pemerhati dan Ahli Primata Indonesia (PERHAPPI), orangutan food expert from LIPI and East Kalimantan, Conservation Spatial Planning Working Group (CSP-WG) WWF-Indonesia, and university from ITB it was recommended that well developed wildlife corridor should carry out in the area between two rivers which is Labian-Leboyan River (DSNP) and Embaloh River (BKNP) in order to support orangutan survival,"" M. Hermayani Putera affirmed.
Workshop presenting 70 participants which represent all of stakeholders related to orangutan conservation in DSNP and BKNP, consists of local government, university, non governmental organization, plantation and forestry industrial, local community, and donor institution.
Hence, orangutan (P. p. pygmaeus) conservation workshop towards discussion regarding some survey results which involved stakeholders, need to be perform in order to find solutions to sustain long term orangutan conservation efforts in BKNP and DSNP, including proposed corridor area.  

For further information, please contact:
Irwan Lovadi - Cell Phone: +6281398204018
Betung Kerihun National Park Service Office
Jl. Piere Tendean (Komplek KODIM) Putussibau; Phone/Fax: +6256721935
email:irlova@yahoo.com Budi Suriansyah - Cell Phone: +628125701074

Danau Sentarum National Park Service Office
Jl. YC. Oevang Oeray No. 43 Sintang; Phone/Fax: +6256522242
email: busur.65@gmail.com

Albertus Tjiu - Cell Phone: +6281256624019
Species Officer, WWF-Indonesia West Kalimantan Program
Putussibau Office - Jl. Kom. Yos Sudarso No. 97; Phone: +6256722258
email:albertus_1972@yahoo.com atau albertus@wwf.or.id