Photo by Maxime Aliaga.A study indicates what was once assumed to be an isolated population of the Sumatran orangutan is in fact a distinct species. The Batang Toru orangutan differs from the Sumatran orangutan in morphology, behavior and genetics. Genomic analysis suggests it diverged from other orangutan species 3.4 million years ago. There are fewer than 800 Batang Toru orangutans in existence, making it the rarest of all the great apes. It is highly threatened by habitat loss. The study says a hydropower plant planned for the area could affect 8 percent of the species’ remaining forest habitat.
