The increasing cases of orangutan trafficking, including reports of cross-border smuggling of orangutan infants, have drawn serious concern from academics. Professor Raden Wisnu Nurcahyo, an expert in Parasitology at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKH UGM), and a wildlife observer, stressed that such practices not only violate the law but also threaten the balance of forest ecosystems. He urged that law enforcement be strengthened while also involving communities, especially the younger generation, in efforts to preserve the species.
According to Professor Nurcahyo, wildlife trafficking in Indonesia has been occurring for around 30 years, but the trend of orangutan trade increased significantly after the 1998 monetary crisis.
“Difficult economic conditions often lead people to view wildlife, including orangutans, as an alternative source of livelihood. Their high market value encourages the continuation of this practice,” he explained on Tuesday, Sep. 2, 2025.
He further noted that economic factors remain the primary driver behind communities’ involvement in the trade of protected wildlife, despite existing laws.
In addition, distribution routes often rely on small, hard-to-detect paths, making smuggling difficult to trace.
Professor Nurcahyo emphasized that this situation requires a more comprehensive approach, combining law enforcement with community economic empowerment to reduce dependence on wildlife capture.
He also highlighted the vital ecological role of orangutans as a keystone species in maintaining forest balance.
Through their habit of consuming fruits, orangutans help disperse seeds via their feces.
“These seeds then grow into new sprouts, enriching biodiversity. Thus, the disappearance of orangutans would result in the loss of the forest’s natural regeneration function,” the expert explained.
Professor Nurcahyo further stressed that the decline in orangutan populations is also linked to the reduction of primary forests caused by fires, logging, and land conversion.
Orangutans cannot survive in industrial plantations, such as those for palm oil or timber, due to the adverse environmental conditions.
The loss of primary forests not only pushes these animals to the brink but also increases the risk of ecosystem degradation and climate change.
Regarding government efforts, Professor Nurcahyo appreciated the existence of the Orangutan Conservation Strategy and Action Plan but considered the measures insufficient.
The biggest challenges, he noted, are the limited human resources for patrols, minimal funding for wildlife rehabilitation, and weak law enforcement.
“Penalties for offenders remain too lenient. A regulatory revision is needed to impose longer prison terms and heavier fines, along with ensuring the integrity of law enforcement officers who must not be easily bribed,” he emphasized.
He acknowledged that international cooperation, particularly ASEAN coordination in reporting illegal wildlife trade, has been progressing well.
However, Professor Nurcahyo observed that much of the conservation effort is still driven by NGOs or foreign organizations.
This is largely due to limited resources, low public awareness, and domestic economic priorities that favor human needs over wildlife conservation.
As concrete steps, he recommended forest protection, stronger law enforcement, dedicated conservation funding, and the establishment of orangutan rehabilitation centers in multiple regions.
He also underlined the importance of engaging the younger generation through research, education, and community service.
“At UGM, there are already student groups working in wildlife conservation, such as the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine’s Wildlife Study Group, the Student Association for Forest Resource Conservation, and others. These initiatives must continue to expand in order to foster collective awareness to protect orangutans as a national heritage,” he concluded.
Author: Ika Agustine
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Lintang Andwyna
Photograph: WWF