InfoSAWIT, BALI – The presence of orangutans in palm oil plantations often raises concerns among farmers, who fear that these primates may damage crops. However, recent research indicates that the impact of orangutans is much less significant than previously believed.
Mark Ancrenaz, a scientific researcher for the Sabah Wildlife Department, revealed the behavior of orangutans as they shift their habitats to palm oil plantations during the International Conference on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE) Series 2025 Day 2 at Bali Beach Convention, Bali, on Thursday, February 13, 2025.
"When I first started working in Borneo 25 years ago, scientists believed that orangutans could only survive in primary forests," Ancrenaz stated at the forum attended by InfoSAWIT. Over time, research has shown that orangutans can adapt and thrive in secondary forests, even in palm oil plantations. "We want to understand why they behave this way," he added.
Orangutans move to palm oil plantations in search of food, such as young fronds. However, studies have proven that their presence does not cause significant damage. "The disturbances caused by orangutans are actually minimal," Ancrenaz explained.
Over the past two years, the research team has studied the interactions between orangutans and palm oil plantations. One of their findings is that the production of plantations visited by orangutans does not show a decline compared to those that are not. This indicates that orangutans can coexist with humans without reducing agricultural productivity.
Ancrenaz emphasized that a coexistence approach is better than capturing and relocating orangutans. "More than 1,000 healthy orangutans live in palm oil plantations. If they are relocated, the risk of disease and stress increases, and many do not survive," he said.
The proposed solution is to create more resilient landscapes to support ecosystem sustainability. "Every 25 years, we need to replant, and this is an opportunity to create a better environment for both orangutans and humans," Ancrenaz stated. He added that over 300,000 hectares of land will be replanted in the coming years, opening opportunities to enhance the balance between conservation and agriculture.
"If we can create a safe environment for orangutans, their aggression levels will decrease," he concluded. (T2)
