Tropical storm Senyar killed 7% of the critically endangered orangutan population on the island of Sumatra, according to local media reports. The deaths occurred over a four-day period of heavy rainfall, causing significant losses to the rare primate population.
The Impact of Tropical Storm Senyar
The mortality event was triggered by four consecutive days of intense rainfall associated with Tropical storm Senyar, according to reports from local media. This weather system resulted in the death of 7% of the island’s critically endangered orangutans.
Risks to the Critically Endangered Population
Local reports characterize the storm as having caused “many casualties” among the rare primates. Because the species is already classified as critically endangered, the loss of 7% of the population represents a substantial setback for the survival of the species on Sumatra.
