Fears grow that world's rarest apes were swept away in Sumatran floods

BBC News - WorldCenterEN 4 min read 100% complete December 12, 2025 at 01:08 AM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Wildlife experts are concerned about the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutans in North Sumatra, Indonesia, after Cyclone Senyar struck in late November. The apes, only identified as a distinct species in 2017, have not been seen or heard in their usual habitat in the Batang Toru forests since the cyclone caused devastating floods and landslides. Conservationists fear the orangutans may have been swept away, a concern heightened by the discovery of a carcass believed to be that of a Tapanuli orangutan. With fewer than 800 individuals remaining, any loss would severely impact the species. Over 900 people have died in Indonesia due to the cyclone, and the impact on the orangutan population is being studied.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Orangutan Information Centre 70% Sumatra ×270% BBC World Service ×280% Indonesia ×380% Tapanuli orangutan ×5100% Cyclone Senyar ×3100%

Keywords

tapanuli orangutan 100% sumatra floods 90% endangered species 80% cyclone senyar 70% conservation 60% landslides 50% wildlife 40% great apes 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Very Negative

Score: -0.70

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Source

BBC News - World

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

Geographic Perspective

Indonesia

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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tapanuli orangutan sumatra floods endangered species cyclone senyar conservation landslides wildlife great apes

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