Applied Conservation Research

This research project seeks to improve our understanding of orangutans in degraded habitats in conjunction with our long-term study of orangutans in primary forest. We’ve selected an area called the Rangkong, which is a selectively logged forests just outside of Gunung Palung National Park, to build our new research camp. Our research goals are to investigate how orangutans use degraded habitats to understand orangutans’ population resilience in semi-logged areas. Although, these areas may have lower biodiversity, they may still represent areas of value to orangutans and other species, particularly because of fruit availability from pioneer and invasive species which thrive in the gaps caused by logging. We will also use genetics to assess if orangutans from the primary forest also use this degraded habitat, as well as investigating population relatedness. An additional method we’re employing is bio-accoustic monitoring to identify orangutan male presence by recording long calls. We will compare male presence, human noise, and animal biodiversity between the disturbed and undisturbed forest. Finally, monitoring of orangutan health in this area also provides information on potential impacts on orangutans from habitat disturbance or human contact. As the Rangkong is used by both humans and orangutans, there is potential for human-orangutan conflict. By researching how humans and wildlife use this habitat, we can reduce the potential for human-orangutan conflict to advance orangutan conservation efforts.