The world's rarest ape is on the brink of extinction, threatened by a billion-dollar gold mine. The Tapanuli orangutan, discovered as a separate species in 2017, is now facing a dire future due to the expansion of the Martabe mine in northern Sumatra. The mine's access roads will cut through critical habitats, endangering the already vulnerable species. Scientists warn that even a 1% population decline annually could lead to extinction, as orangutans reproduce slowly every six to nine years. The Tapanuli, with their distinctive frizzy hair and wide faces, represent the oldest lineage of all orangutan species, dating back to the first ancestral orangutans that arrived in Sumatra over 3 million years ago. The Batang Toru ecosystem, where the Tapanuli orangutans reside, is under threat from both the mine and a Chinese-owned hydroelectric project on the Batang Toru River. The mine's expansion will directly or indirectly affect between six and 12 orangutans, and even indirect impacts can be devastating for female orangutans, who are sensitive to habitat loss. Despite concerns, PT Agincourt Resources claims no fatalities have occurred due to mining activities. However, environmental advocates and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have pushed for a delay in construction until a mutually agreed plan is in place to protect the Tapanuli. The relationship between Jardine Matheson and the IUCN has improved, with a new memorandum of understanding allowing independent input on the mine's development plans. But the debate rages on, with scientists and conservationists questioning the mine's overall impact on the Tapanuli orangutans, emphasizing the need for zero losses to truly protect this endangered species.
