The orangutans – A symbol of hope
FOR many of us in Sabah, the orangutans are an iconic species. They represent our rich biodiversity and majestic forests. They are our poster child for tourism – their appeal alone has attracted curious travellers from far and wide to Sabah just to catch a glimpse of them.
But for me, the orangutans mean so much more than just its iconic status. I began my career in conservation studying the Bornean orangutans. Years later, I am still here, fascinated as ever before. For me, the orangutans aren’t just an iconic species. They are a symbol of conservation and what we can do to ensure that their population survives the changing tides of time.
Orangutans are found only on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. Perhaps even rarer are the Bornean orangutans, who can only be found on the island of Borneo. The species previously thrived in Sabah, with a population of up to 20,000 individuals in the 1980s. However, that number has since dwindled. By 2004, the orangutan population had decreased to 11,000 individuals.
This decrease in numbers is generally caused by a continuous loss of habitat due to the conversion of forest to plantations as well as forest fires during the drought season. As more land is set aside for development and agricultural plantation, the orangutan population is set to decrease even more.
Yet, in a scenario where the orangutans’ future seems so bleak, we find hope in the successes we have achieved in helping to secure the population. For the orangutans, that success comes in the form of Bukit Piton and the relentless reforestation efforts there.
For many, the name Bukit Piton will not seem so significant. But for the Bornean orangutans, they represent a possibility of survival. Located in the northern part of UluSegama Malua Forest Reserve in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Bukit Piton or previously known as North Ulu Segama, is small in size but vast in its importance to conservation.
In 2007, Bukit Piton was a sight for despair – with the area severely degraded by unregulated logging and rampaged by the horrifying effects of forest fire.
The area was also isolated, with palm oil plantations to the north and east, and the Segama River to the south. However, degraded as it was, Bukit Piton is home to approximately 300 orangutans.
To allow Bukit Piton to remain as it is would have meant allowing the orangutan population there to eventually die out, as the degraded forest reserve lacked basic necessities that the species needed to survive – food, shelter and water.
The only way forward was to reforest the area, planting new trees and breathing life back into Bukit Piton.
Thus began the mobilisation of several forces to help push along reforestation works in the area. To facilitate reforestation efforts, WWF-Malaysia together with the Sabah Forestry Department (SFD) spearheaded the forest restoration programme in North Ulu Segama in 2007.
As part of the programme, open and exposed areas were planted with fast-growing pioneer species such as Binuang (Octameles sumatrana) and Laran (Neolamarckia cadamba). To support the orangutans’ feeding habits, fruit trees that are edible to orangutans including Sengkuang (Dracontomelon dao), Terap (Arthocarpus sp) and Figs (Ficus sp) were also planted. Dipterocarps were also planted in areas shaded by forest canopies.
Today, almost eleven years later, things are looking well again in Bukit Piton.
Over 2,226ha of the intended 2,400ha have been restored thanks to the generous funding from various international as well as local corporate companies, individuals and other WWF networks.
WWF-Malaysia has documented the forest cover changes at Bukit Piton over the years and have found a 78% forest cover increase in the span of five years between 2008 and 2013. This number has increased even further in 2018.
With the increase of forest cover, wildlife is starting to thrive again in Bukit Piton. The sights and sounds of wildlife have returned to the forest. Most importantly, the 300 or so orangutan inhabitants of the area are thriving once more.
Careful observation by WWF-Malaysia’s Orangutan Research Team over the years have found that the orangutans have utilised the replanted trees in Bukit Piton.
Nests can be found on the Laran and Bayur trees that line the forest. Orangutan babies have also been spotted over the years – a true testament that the orangutans are well.
The orangutans aren’t just an iconic species. For me, they represent a true sense of hope in humankind – a hope that we can make a difference despite dire circumstances. Through Bukit Piton, we have given the orangutans there a fair chance at survival. I believe we can do the same for other orangutan populations here in Sabah.
Donna Christine Simon is a programme officer for the Orangutan Conservation, Sabah Terrestrial Conservation Programme (STCP) WWF-Malaysia. Comments: letters@ thesundaily.com