KUCHING: The wild orangutan population in Ulu Sungai Menyang (USM) has shown encouraging growth, with the latest 2025 survey estimating around 167 individuals, up from 115 in 2014, according to WWF-Malaysia.
The analysis indicates an 82 per cent confidence that the population has increased over the past decade, reflecting the impact of sustained conservation efforts led by the Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC), Forest Department Sarawak (FDS), and partner organisations including WCS Malaysia, Borneo Adventure, and WWF-Malaysia.
“This encouraging indication reflects the impact of our sustained management efforts and strong collaboration with FDS, WCS Malaysia, Borneo Adventure, WWF-Malaysia and local communities.
“While the results are positive, continued vigilance is essential. Orangutans are highly sensitive to habitat changes, and long-term protection must remain a priority,” Abang Arabi, General Manager of SFC, said in a statement on Friday.
Located in the Batang Ai region, USM supports the only known viable orangutan population outside Totally Protected Areas in Sarawak, accounting for roughly 8 per cent of the state’s total population.
“The observed increase since 2014 suggests that existing management and protection measures are having a measurable positive impact,” Abang Arabi added.
Community involvement has been a key factor, with local Iban communities participating in awareness programmes, ranger schemes and sustainable livelihood initiatives while Borneo Adventure’s long-term eco-tourism initiatives generate over RM 1 million annually for surrounding communities, helping reduce forest pressure and safeguard habitats.
Cynthia Chin, head of WWF-Malaysia Sarawak Conservation Programme, cautioned that unchecked development could undermine conservation gains.
“New developments, if not carefully planned, could undo years of conservation progress,” she said, highlighting risks of habitat fragmentation, forest degradation and increased human-orangutan conflict.
Dr Mark Rayan Darmaraj, Country Director of WCS Malaysia, emphasised the ecological importance of orangutans.
“Protecting them helps secure the resilience of Sarawak’s forests and the many benefits they provide,” he said.
The Sarawak Government, through SFC and FDS, continues to implement the Sarawak Orangutan Strategic Action Plan, ensuring long-term monitoring, law enforcement, habitat management and community engagement to maintain the positive trajectory of USM’s orangutan population.
