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Orangutan Haven Under Siege by Gold Rush
5 Sep
Summary
- Illegal gold miners have invaded the Jantho forest, a critical orangutan reintroduction site.
- Around 14 hectares of the reserve were damaged by gold mining between 2023 and May 2026.
- Pollution from mining threatens water resources used by communities and wildlife.
Illegal gold miners have breached Indonesia's Jantho forest reservation, a crucial reintroduction site for the critically endangered Sumatran orangutan. This sanctuary in Aceh province, established over 15 years ago, has seen nearly 200 orangutans released into its protected habitat.
Analysis reveals that approximately 14 hectares of the Jantho Nature Reserve suffered damage from illegal gold mining between 2023 and May 2026. This period coincided with a more than doubling of gold prices, from around $1,928 to over $4,600 per ounce.
The environmental degradation extends beyond the mining sites, with pollution from mining in the Krueng Aceh River watershed posing a significant threat to water resources. This contamination impacts clean water access, irrigation, and fisheries for local communities.
Despite community opposition and a joint operation that found no heavy equipment, warning signs were posted, and a mining encampment was razed. Conservation efforts continue, with a recent report of a birth by an orangutan released seven years prior, highlighting the site's importance.
Conservationists are intensifying monitoring and coordinating with law enforcement to prevent further illegal mining activities. The Jantho area is also home to other endangered species, including siamang gibbons and sun bears.
