Revealed: Newly-discovered orangutan species is 'being driven to extinction' by British firm’s goldmine

There are only 800 Tapanuli orangutans left, and their only forest is rapidly disappearing

The most endangered great ape in the world only lives in this forest, which is being cut down by a British company 
The most endangered great ape in the world only lives in this forest, which is being cut down by a British company  Credit: Mighty Earth / MapHubs

A newly-discovered orangutan species is being driven to extinction by a British firm’s goldmine, a wildlife charity has warned.

The Tapanuli orangutan, which is the rarest great ape in the world, was discovered by scientists in 2017, the first great ape to be discovered for a century. It only lives in the Batangtoru Forest, in Northern Sumatra, Indonesia, and there are just 800 of the charismatic primates left.

Unfortunately for the great ape and those trying to protect it, its only habitat sits on top of a rich seam of gold – which is currently being mined by a British company. 

Environment minister Lord Goldsmith has said the company has a "moral obligation" to stop degrading the environment.

The business, Jardine Matheson, which has been run by the same British family, the Keswicks, since the Victorian era, bought the Martabe gold mine in 2018 through a subsidiary called Astra International.

It has expanded it further into the habitat of the orangutan ever since. Based in Hong Kong, and domiciled in Bermuda, Jardine Matheson has business interests across the globe and owns the Mandarin Oriental hotel chain.

The red shows the forest loss since the mine was purchased in 2018
The red shows the forest loss since the mine was purchased in 2018 Credit: Mighty Earth / MapHubs

In total, the Martabe mine has destroyed at least 27.38ha of Tapanuli orangutan forest habitat. Satellite imaging shows 8.67ha of the forest have been destroyed since the mine was purchased by the conglomerate in 2018, just months after the discovery of the rare orangutan.

Conservationists believe the survival of the species is a “test for humanity” as it moves closer to extinction.

Researchers have predicted that if just eight are killed a year, the genetic diversity of the primate will decline over the next decade to the point it dies out.

Zac Goldsmith is sworn in as a member of the House of Lords. Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park will retain his post as Environment Minister while sitting in the Lords. PA Photo. Picture date: Monday January 13, 2020. See PA story LORDS Peers. Photo credit should read: House of Lords/PA Wire
International Environment Minister Lord Goldsmith: “British companies are success stories across the world, but with this comes a clear moral obligation to help protect the environment wherever they leave a footprint" Credit: PA/PA

International Environment Minister Lord Goldsmith said: “The UK is taking real action to combat climate change, from our new proposed law to clamp down on illegal deforestation to doubling the UK’s International Climate Finance spend to help developing countries.

“British companies are success stories across the world, but with this comes a clear moral obligation to help protect the environment wherever they leave a footprint.”

Anti-deforestation NGO Mighty Earth has been investigating this mine and the destruction it has caused since the discovery of the new great ape.

Campaign director Amanda Hurowitz has called on Jardine Matheson and the Keswick family to intervene and stop any further destruction of the forest. 

She told the Telegraph: “I think this is an issue of corporate responsibility. You have a mine in the habitat of the most endangered species of great ape, they are our closest cousin. If you are going to profit off this species you have a responsibility to take action to protect the species.”

A juvenile orangutan 
A juvenile Tapanuli orangutan  Credit: Nature Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo

A spokesperson for Jardines said the mine is operated in accordance with all government guidelines and local environmental laws.

She added: “Importantly, the mine has not encroached on areas categorised as protected forest and has been clear on its commitment to protecting biodiversity.

"Since taking an indirect investment in the mine through one of our subsidiaries, we have been encouraged with progress made on the ground by the operating company, which is working with local NGOs to support local communities and protect sensitive biodiversity in the surrounding areas.”

The spokesperson added that the mine concession area pictured in the satellite images equates to less than half of one per cent of the area covered by the protected forest of Batang Toru and that aerial views of the mine concession area will change over time as a result of ongoing land restoration activities.

Ms Hurowitz does not believe the company is doing enough to mitigate the damage caused by the mine.

She added: "If we can't save this orangutan, what does it say for our chances of protecting biodiversity anywhere? It’s a real test for humanity and a test for which Jardine Matheson could play an extraordinarily positive role.

They need to stop expanding it, they bought this mine after the species was identified so they need to work with scientists to mitigate the damage that has been done.”

World-leading primate expert Ian Redmond OBE said he was “disturbed” by the deforestation.

He said: “It is disturbing to learn that a leading British company is profiting from deforestation in Indonesia, especially when British charities are fund-raising to help orangutan conservation.

“Orangutans are not only among our closest cousins in the animal kingdom, sharing some 97 per cent of our DNA, they are keystone species in these globally important tropical forests that are essential for climate stability and which we destroy at our peril.”

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