At least 58 Tapanuli orangutans—7% of the species—killed by Cyclone Senyarcyclone senyar wiped out 7% of the world's rarest orangutan species in 4 days

At least 58 Tapanuli orangutans—roughly 7% of the global population—were killed during four days of extreme rain and mudslides from Cyclone Senyar in November 2025, according to a new study. The cyclone tore through the West Block of the Batang Toru ecosystem in Indonesia, the species' largest habitat, and also killed over 1,000 people. The Tapanuli orangutan, recognized as a distinct species in 2017, numbers fewer than 800 total. Professor Erik Meijaard, the study's author, told the BBC in December that the initial estimate was 35 deaths; the revised figure of 58 is still described as 'conservative' because it doesn't account for indirect causes like starvation or habitat loss.

58 Tapanuli orangutans—7% of a species with fewer than 800 left on earth—died in cyclone senyar's november 2025 mudslides in sumatra. the species was only identified in 2017. the same storm killed over 1,000 people. the study author, professor erik meijaard, told the BBC the real number is probably higher since the 58 figure doesn't count starvation or habitat destruction.