Extreme Rain Kills Rare Orangutans
Friday, 2026/06/19172 words3 minutes236 reads
In November, Cyclone Senyar brought four days of extreme rainfall to Sumatra, Indonesia. The storm caused massive floods and landslides that killed over 1,000 people across Southeast Asia.
The storm also had a devastating impact on wildlife. Scientists estimate that 58 Tapanuli orangutans died during the disaster. This represents about 7% of the entire species, which numbers fewer than 800 individuals. The Tapanuli orangutan was only discovered in 2017 and is now the world's most endangered great ape.
Researchers found evidence of the destruction when they visited affected areas. One humanitarian worker discovered an orangutan carcass buried in mud and debris. The damage extended beyond direct deaths, as the storm destroyed forest canopy and reduced food sources for surviving orangutans.
Experts warn that climate change is increasing the frequency of such extreme weather events. Studies show that if the species continues losing more than 1% of its population annually, it will face extinction. The Indonesian government has temporarily stopped development projects in the area to allow further assessment of the ecological damage.
