Mongabay
@mongabay.com
Award-winning nonprofit media outlet publishing global environmental science & news in 6 languages via bureaus in India, Brazil, Africa, Latin America, Indonesia & US: https://mongabay.com
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A new Nature paper argues conservation failures are rooted in race, power, and colonial legacies. Without recognizing Indigenous and local land rights, expanding protected areas risks repeating past injustices — and undermining conservation itself.
A new Nature paper argues conservation failures are rooted in race, power, and colonial legacies. Without recognizing Indigenous and local land rights, expanding protected areas risks repeating past injustices — and undermining conservation itself.
Conservation’s unfinished business
Conservation often presents itself as a technical enterprise: how much land to protect, which species to prioritize, what policies deliver results. A recent paper in Nature argues that this framing…
news.mongabay.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:40 PM
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A new Nature paper argues conservation failures are rooted in race, power, and colonial legacies. Without recognizing Indigenous and local land rights, expanding protected areas risks repeating past injustices — and undermining conservation itself.
A new Nature paper argues conservation failures are rooted in race, power, and colonial legacies. Without recognizing Indigenous and local land rights, expanding protected areas risks repeating past injustices — and undermining conservation itself.
[COMMENTARY]
Deadly floods, landslides, and a rare cyclone that killed 1,100+ people in Indonesia in 2025, pushed deforestation to the center of national debate.
Aida Greenbury argues the country still has a narrow chance to change course & protect its remaining forests.
** Views are author's.
Deadly floods, landslides, and a rare cyclone that killed 1,100+ people in Indonesia in 2025, pushed deforestation to the center of national debate.
Aida Greenbury argues the country still has a narrow chance to change course & protect its remaining forests.
** Views are author's.
A catastrophe that might offer a glimpse of hope for Indonesia (commentary)
It was 27 December 2004. I was sitting at my computer in my office in Jakarta, Indonesia, my mind busy with plans for the New Year party I had organized with friends in the city, when my phone…
news.mongabay.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:30 PM
[COMMENTARY]
Deadly floods, landslides, and a rare cyclone that killed 1,100+ people in Indonesia in 2025, pushed deforestation to the center of national debate.
Aida Greenbury argues the country still has a narrow chance to change course & protect its remaining forests.
** Views are author's.
Deadly floods, landslides, and a rare cyclone that killed 1,100+ people in Indonesia in 2025, pushed deforestation to the center of national debate.
Aida Greenbury argues the country still has a narrow chance to change course & protect its remaining forests.
** Views are author's.
Bob Weir, who died Jan. 10, was more than a Grateful Dead founder.
For decades, he was a steady environmental advocate, warning that deforestation and climate change were material threats, not metaphors — using his platform to pressure governments, markets, and institutions to act.
For decades, he was a steady environmental advocate, warning that deforestation and climate change were material threats, not metaphors — using his platform to pressure governments, markets, and institutions to act.
Bob Weir, a musician who took the environment seriously
Bob Weir, who died on January 10th, was best known as a founding member of the Grateful Dead. For decades he was also an unusually persistent environmental advocate, one who treated land, forests,…
news.mongabay.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Bob Weir, who died Jan. 10, was more than a Grateful Dead founder.
For decades, he was a steady environmental advocate, warning that deforestation and climate change were material threats, not metaphors — using his platform to pressure governments, markets, and institutions to act.
For decades, he was a steady environmental advocate, warning that deforestation and climate change were material threats, not metaphors — using his platform to pressure governments, markets, and institutions to act.
Twin mountain gorillas have been born in Virunga National Park, DRC — a rare event and a hopeful sign for one of the world’s most endangered great apes.
Despite conflict and habitat threats, park teams and communities are working to protect the fragile twins.
Despite conflict and habitat threats, park teams and communities are working to protect the fragile twins.
Twin infant mountain gorillas born in DRC
The birth of twin mountain gorillas in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is raising hopes for the survival of one of the world’s most threatened great apes. “For me, it is a huge sign of hope…
news.mongabay.com
January 13, 2026 at 11:53 AM
Twin mountain gorillas have been born in Virunga National Park, DRC — a rare event and a hopeful sign for one of the world’s most endangered great apes.
Despite conflict and habitat threats, park teams and communities are working to protect the fragile twins.
Despite conflict and habitat threats, park teams and communities are working to protect the fragile twins.
A proposed international minerals treaty faced pushback at UNEA-7 and was diluted into a nonbinding resolution.
Backed by Colombia and Oman, it aims to address mining’s social and environmental harms, but critics say it falls short as mineral demand surges with the energy transition.
Backed by Colombia and Oman, it aims to address mining’s social and environmental harms, but critics say it falls short as mineral demand surges with the energy transition.
Minerals treaty proposed by Colombia & Oman gets pushback at UN meeting
An international minerals treaty proposed by Colombia and Oman at the seventh United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) encountered resistance from several member states, including Saudi Arabia,…
news.mongabay.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:50 AM
A proposed international minerals treaty faced pushback at UNEA-7 and was diluted into a nonbinding resolution.
Backed by Colombia and Oman, it aims to address mining’s social and environmental harms, but critics say it falls short as mineral demand surges with the energy transition.
Backed by Colombia and Oman, it aims to address mining’s social and environmental harms, but critics say it falls short as mineral demand surges with the energy transition.
Can AI really help protect the planet — and the people defending it?
A new op-ed warns that while COP30 leaders tout AI’s promise for conservation, ethical risks remain. It argues Indigenous experts must guide AI’s development to reflect their priorities and protections.
** Views are authors'.
A new op-ed warns that while COP30 leaders tout AI’s promise for conservation, ethical risks remain. It argues Indigenous experts must guide AI’s development to reflect their priorities and protections.
** Views are authors'.
AI-centered conservation efforts can only be ethical if Indigenous people help lead them (commentary)
In November, we joined more than 50,000 Indigenous and world leaders, diplomats, scholars and activists at the 30th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP30) in Brazil. Some of the most…
news.mongabay.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:50 AM
Can AI really help protect the planet — and the people defending it?
A new op-ed warns that while COP30 leaders tout AI’s promise for conservation, ethical risks remain. It argues Indigenous experts must guide AI’s development to reflect their priorities and protections.
** Views are authors'.
A new op-ed warns that while COP30 leaders tout AI’s promise for conservation, ethical risks remain. It argues Indigenous experts must guide AI’s development to reflect their priorities and protections.
** Views are authors'.
World’s biggest buyers of Brazilian soy plan to exit the Amazon Soy Moratorium — a voluntary pact that kept deforestation-linked soy out of global supply chains for nearly 20 years.
Critics warn the move could reverse hard-won gains, especially in Mato Grosso, where deforestation is rising.
Critics warn the move could reverse hard-won gains, especially in Mato Grosso, where deforestation is rising.
Soy giants drop Amazon no-deforestation pledge as subsidies come under threat
The world’s largest buyers of Brazilian soy have announced a plan to exit from a landmark antideforestation agreement, the Amazon Soy Moratorium. The voluntary agreement between soy agribusinesses…
news.mongabay.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:48 AM
World’s biggest buyers of Brazilian soy plan to exit the Amazon Soy Moratorium — a voluntary pact that kept deforestation-linked soy out of global supply chains for nearly 20 years.
Critics warn the move could reverse hard-won gains, especially in Mato Grosso, where deforestation is rising.
Critics warn the move could reverse hard-won gains, especially in Mato Grosso, where deforestation is rising.
Scientists described 72 new species in 2025 — from a Galápagos bird hiding in plain sight to a fuzzy wildflower found by a volunteer in a U.S. national park — showing how discovery can come from fieldwork, collections, and citizen science.
From sea slugs to sunflowers, California Academy of Sciences described 72 new species in 2025
Researchers at the California Academy of Sciences kept busy throughout 2025. Along with collaborators from across the globe, they described 72 new-to-science species from six continents — creatures…
news.mongabay.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Scientists described 72 new species in 2025 — from a Galápagos bird hiding in plain sight to a fuzzy wildflower found by a volunteer in a U.S. national park — showing how discovery can come from fieldwork, collections, and citizen science.
Endangered western leopard toads in Cape Town face shrinking habitat — and deadly roads during breeding season. Underpasses now help them reach ponds safely, while citizen scientists log and photograph crossings.
“Researchers can’t be everywhere, but citizens are,” says CapeNature’s Andrew Turner.
“Researchers can’t be everywhere, but citizens are,” says CapeNature’s Andrew Turner.
Helping Cape Town’s toads cross the road: Interview with Andrew Turner
CAPE TOWN — Western leopard toads have been listed as endangered since 2016. Andrew Turner, scientific manager for CapeNature, the government body that manages protected areas and conservation in…
news.mongabay.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Endangered western leopard toads in Cape Town face shrinking habitat — and deadly roads during breeding season. Underpasses now help them reach ponds safely, while citizen scientists log and photograph crossings.
“Researchers can’t be everywhere, but citizens are,” says CapeNature’s Andrew Turner.
“Researchers can’t be everywhere, but citizens are,” says CapeNature’s Andrew Turner.
Madhav Gadgil said conservation isn’t technical — it’s political. It’s about who decides, and whose knowledge counts.
He rejected top-down models, defended community-led ecology, and insisted democracy, not convenience, must guide environmental decisions.
He rejected top-down models, defended community-led ecology, and insisted democracy, not convenience, must guide environmental decisions.
Madhav Gadgil, advocate of democratic conservation, has died at 83
In India, arguments about nature are often treated as friction in the path of progress. Madhav Gadgil insisted they were arguments about power: who gets to decide what happens to a forest, a river, a…
news.mongabay.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Madhav Gadgil said conservation isn’t technical — it’s political. It’s about who decides, and whose knowledge counts.
He rejected top-down models, defended community-led ecology, and insisted democracy, not convenience, must guide environmental decisions.
He rejected top-down models, defended community-led ecology, and insisted democracy, not convenience, must guide environmental decisions.
Environmental crime is no longer a niche issue.
From the UNFCCC & UNTOC to governments & Interpol, a global push is forming to tackle illegal deforestation, mining & wildlife trafficking — with calls to lock enforcement & financing into climate & biodiversity deals.
** Views are the author’s.
From the UNFCCC & UNTOC to governments & Interpol, a global push is forming to tackle illegal deforestation, mining & wildlife trafficking — with calls to lock enforcement & financing into climate & biodiversity deals.
** Views are the author’s.
Environmental crime prevention is moving into the diplomatic mainstream (commentary)
Environmental crime used to be treated as a niche concern, a worry for park rangers, customs officers and a handful of conservation lawyers. Not anymore. From Vienna to Belém, a once technical debate…
news.mongabay.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:30 AM
Environmental crime is no longer a niche issue.
From the UNFCCC & UNTOC to governments & Interpol, a global push is forming to tackle illegal deforestation, mining & wildlife trafficking — with calls to lock enforcement & financing into climate & biodiversity deals.
** Views are the author’s.
From the UNFCCC & UNTOC to governments & Interpol, a global push is forming to tackle illegal deforestation, mining & wildlife trafficking — with calls to lock enforcement & financing into climate & biodiversity deals.
** Views are the author’s.
In Brazil’s Jequitinhonha Valley, beekeepers say climate change, deforestation, & possibly lithium mining, are driving bee decline. As mining expands to fuel renewable energy, researchers warn impacts on pollinators remain poorly studied, with biodiversity safeguards still lagging in climate policy.
Beekeepers in Brazil worry lithium mining puts their bees in jeopardy
ARAÇUAÍ & BELÉM, Brazil — When Aécio Luiz was younger, finding wild beehives was routine in his rural Afro-Brazilian community of Córrego Narciso. A farmer turned beekeeper, he recalls their buzzing…
news.mongabay.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:30 AM
In Brazil’s Jequitinhonha Valley, beekeepers say climate change, deforestation, & possibly lithium mining, are driving bee decline. As mining expands to fuel renewable energy, researchers warn impacts on pollinators remain poorly studied, with biodiversity safeguards still lagging in climate policy.
Ghana has repealed LI 2462, a law that allowed mining in forest reserves, including globally important biodiversity areas.
Passed by Parliament in December, the move is a major win for forest protection — though experts warn deeper forestry reforms are still needed.
Passed by Parliament in December, the move is a major win for forest protection — though experts warn deeper forestry reforms are still needed.
Ghana repeals legislation that opened forest reserves to mining
After facing sustained pushback from environmental groups, Ghana revoked a 2022 law that had empowered the president to allow mining in the country’s forest reserves. In December, the Minister for…
news.mongabay.com
January 10, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Ghana has repealed LI 2462, a law that allowed mining in forest reserves, including globally important biodiversity areas.
Passed by Parliament in December, the move is a major win for forest protection — though experts warn deeper forestry reforms are still needed.
Passed by Parliament in December, the move is a major win for forest protection — though experts warn deeper forestry reforms are still needed.
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, & scientists are racing to track where it’s coming from. New methane seeps have been found in shallow waters off Antarctica, adding to earlier Arctic discoveries. Beyond climate risks, these seeps also host rare ecosystems that may offer clues to life’s origins.
Methane chasers: Hunting a climate-changing gas seeping from Earth’s seafloor
They’ve been called “bubble chasers,” and “seep seekers,” though they sometimes call themselves “flare hunters.” They’re a small group of scientific specialists searching the world’s oceans for tiny…
news.mongabay.com
January 9, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, & scientists are racing to track where it’s coming from. New methane seeps have been found in shallow waters off Antarctica, adding to earlier Arctic discoveries. Beyond climate risks, these seeps also host rare ecosystems that may offer clues to life’s origins.
By 2025, 9.6% of the ocean is covered by marine protected areas, but only 3.2% are highly or fully protected—raising concerns about “paper parks” that allow harmful activities.
Marine protected areas expanded in 2025, but still far from 30% goal
In December 2022, nearly 200 nations committed to protecting 30% of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030. As of 2025, about 9.6% of the world’s oceans are now covered by marine protected areas, according…
news.mongabay.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:21 PM
By 2025, 9.6% of the ocean is covered by marine protected areas, but only 3.2% are highly or fully protected—raising concerns about “paper parks” that allow harmful activities.
After a 2018 wildfire scorched 73,000 hectares of the Santana Indigenous Territory in Brazil’s Cerrado, Bakairi women organized a volunteer fire brigade.
Today, women from teens to grandmothers defend their land—successfully preventing major fires for years, even as blazes intensify elsewhere.
Today, women from teens to grandmothers defend their land—successfully preventing major fires for years, even as blazes intensify elsewhere.
Indigenous women lead a firefighting brigade in Brazil’s Cerrado
When a 2018 fire burned across 73,000 hectares (180,000 acres) of the Santana Indigenous Territory, located in Brazil’s Cerrado savanna, the local Bakairi people waited helplessly for authorities who…
news.mongabay.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:18 PM
After a 2018 wildfire scorched 73,000 hectares of the Santana Indigenous Territory in Brazil’s Cerrado, Bakairi women organized a volunteer fire brigade.
Today, women from teens to grandmothers defend their land—successfully preventing major fires for years, even as blazes intensify elsewhere.
Today, women from teens to grandmothers defend their land—successfully preventing major fires for years, even as blazes intensify elsewhere.
A new report finds thousands of African primates are traded legally and illegally.
While most legal great ape trade is for science and zoos, some cases raise red flags. Chimpanzees top the illegal trade, driven by demand for pets—especially infants.
While most legal great ape trade is for science and zoos, some cases raise red flags. Chimpanzees top the illegal trade, driven by demand for pets—especially infants.
Chimpanzees and gorillas among most traded African primates, report finds
Between 2000 and 2023, more than 6,000 African primates were traded internationally in 50 countries, according to a newly published report. Endangered chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) and critically…
news.mongabay.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:35 PM
A new report finds thousands of African primates are traded legally and illegally.
While most legal great ape trade is for science and zoos, some cases raise red flags. Chimpanzees top the illegal trade, driven by demand for pets—especially infants.
While most legal great ape trade is for science and zoos, some cases raise red flags. Chimpanzees top the illegal trade, driven by demand for pets—especially infants.
Soaring gold prices are fueling a surge in illegal mining across Indonesia, including near protected tiger habitat.
Despite mercury bans and strong laws on paper, weak enforcement has left forests, rivers and communities polluted — with long-term costs that outlast the gold rush.
Despite mercury bans and strong laws on paper, weak enforcement has left forests, rivers and communities polluted — with long-term costs that outlast the gold rush.
Indonesia’s illegal gold boom leaves a toxic legacy of mercury pollution
MERANGIN, Indonesia — There wasn’t much Aris Adrianto felt he could do when the gold miners’ heavy vehicles broke into Bukit Gajah Berani, here in this remote pocket of Sumatra’s Merangin district.…
news.mongabay.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Soaring gold prices are fueling a surge in illegal mining across Indonesia, including near protected tiger habitat.
Despite mercury bans and strong laws on paper, weak enforcement has left forests, rivers and communities polluted — with long-term costs that outlast the gold rush.
Despite mercury bans and strong laws on paper, weak enforcement has left forests, rivers and communities polluted — with long-term costs that outlast the gold rush.
After Cyclone Senyar killed 1,100+ people in Sumatra, Indonesia’s government says deforestation and land-use change — not weather alone — worsened the disaster.
Authorities now signal companies may be held accountable, though critics warn real reform hinges on fixing permissive zoning laws.
Authorities now signal companies may be held accountable, though critics warn real reform hinges on fixing permissive zoning laws.
Indonesia launches sweeping environmental audits after Sumatra flood disaster
JAKARTA — The Indonesian government has announced what it describes as a sweeping, science-based effort to reassess environmental governance, zoning and corporate accountability in the wake of floods…
news.mongabay.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:10 AM
After Cyclone Senyar killed 1,100+ people in Sumatra, Indonesia’s government says deforestation and land-use change — not weather alone — worsened the disaster.
Authorities now signal companies may be held accountable, though critics warn real reform hinges on fixing permissive zoning laws.
Authorities now signal companies may be held accountable, though critics warn real reform hinges on fixing permissive zoning laws.
[FOUNDER'S BRIEF - @rhettayersbutler.bsky.social]
California is a global biodiversity hotspot, yet much of its life remains undocumented.
A statewide effort is now building a verifiable record of species to track ecological change — showing why simply counting life still matters.
California is a global biodiversity hotspot, yet much of its life remains undocumented.
A statewide effort is now building a verifiable record of species to track ecological change — showing why simply counting life still matters.
An inventory of life in California
Why Mongabay is reporting on California’s biodiversity Mongabay’s coverage of biodiversity has long been associated with tropical forests and far-flung frontiers. Yet California—wealthy, populous,…
news.mongabay.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:15 PM
[FOUNDER'S BRIEF - @rhettayersbutler.bsky.social]
California is a global biodiversity hotspot, yet much of its life remains undocumented.
A statewide effort is now building a verifiable record of species to track ecological change — showing why simply counting life still matters.
California is a global biodiversity hotspot, yet much of its life remains undocumented.
A statewide effort is now building a verifiable record of species to track ecological change — showing why simply counting life still matters.
[PODCAST]
Plastic pollution is no longer abstract.
Microplastics are now found in our brains, blood and breast milk — and across all parts of the planet.
On the Mongabay Newscast, Judith Enck explains why governments can’t wait, and how they can act now to cut plastic at the source.
Plastic pollution is no longer abstract.
Microplastics are now found in our brains, blood and breast milk — and across all parts of the planet.
On the Mongabay Newscast, Judith Enck explains why governments can’t wait, and how they can act now to cut plastic at the source.
Plastic pollution requires urgent action, says author Judith Enck
Judith Enck is a former regional administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, appointed by President Barack Obama, and the founder of Beyond Plastics, an organization dedicated to…
news.mongabay.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:21 PM
[PODCAST]
Plastic pollution is no longer abstract.
Microplastics are now found in our brains, blood and breast milk — and across all parts of the planet.
On the Mongabay Newscast, Judith Enck explains why governments can’t wait, and how they can act now to cut plastic at the source.
Plastic pollution is no longer abstract.
Microplastics are now found in our brains, blood and breast milk — and across all parts of the planet.
On the Mongabay Newscast, Judith Enck explains why governments can’t wait, and how they can act now to cut plastic at the source.
Already under pressure from logging and hunting, Madagascar’s lemurs now face a new threat: growing demand for lemur meat among urban elites, driven by false beliefs about its health benefits.
Cartoon by Rohan Chakravarty.
Cartoon by Rohan Chakravarty.
An endangered menu (cartoon)
Amidst the ongoing battle for survival against logging and hunting, Madagascar’s lemurs face a new and unprecedented threat — the demand for lemur meat among the country’s urban elite,…
news.mongabay.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Already under pressure from logging and hunting, Madagascar’s lemurs now face a new threat: growing demand for lemur meat among urban elites, driven by false beliefs about its health benefits.
Cartoon by Rohan Chakravarty.
Cartoon by Rohan Chakravarty.
Since its founding in 1935, Mitú has grown into a fast-expanding town in Colombia’s remote Amazon.
Researchers link roads, ranching and resource extraction to deforestation and pollution, with Mongabay finding 10,000 hectares of tree cover lost since 2014.
Researchers link roads, ranching and resource extraction to deforestation and pollution, with Mongabay finding 10,000 hectares of tree cover lost since 2014.
Urban sprawl and illegal mining reshape a fragile Amazon frontier
MITÚ, Colombia — Beneath the rising sun, people from nearby Indigenous communities navigate across the Vaupés River in traditional wooden canoes toward Mitú, a rapidly expanding town in the Colombian…
news.mongabay.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Since its founding in 1935, Mitú has grown into a fast-expanding town in Colombia’s remote Amazon.
Researchers link roads, ranching and resource extraction to deforestation and pollution, with Mongabay finding 10,000 hectares of tree cover lost since 2014.
Researchers link roads, ranching and resource extraction to deforestation and pollution, with Mongabay finding 10,000 hectares of tree cover lost since 2014.
The EU has delayed its antideforestation law (EUDR) for a second year.
Now set to apply from late 2026, the ban on deforestation-linked commodities was pushed back after political pressure, with a review window added that leaves room for further rollbacks.
Now set to apply from late 2026, the ban on deforestation-linked commodities was pushed back after political pressure, with a review window added that leaves room for further rollbacks.
EUDR antideforestation law officially delayed for second year in a row
The European Union’s antideforestation law, known as EUDR, has officially been delayed for a second year. The amendment was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on Dec. 23, 2025.…
news.mongabay.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:18 PM
The EU has delayed its antideforestation law (EUDR) for a second year.
Now set to apply from late 2026, the ban on deforestation-linked commodities was pushed back after political pressure, with a review window added that leaves room for further rollbacks.
Now set to apply from late 2026, the ban on deforestation-linked commodities was pushed back after political pressure, with a review window added that leaves room for further rollbacks.
After Cyclone Senyar’s deadly floods in northern Sumatra, scientists say extreme rain wasn’t the only cause.
Decades of deforestation in Batang Toru — home to the Tapanuli orangutan — likely amplified the damage, with risks lingering long after forests are cleared.
Decades of deforestation in Batang Toru — home to the Tapanuli orangutan — likely amplified the damage, with risks lingering long after forests are cleared.
After Cyclone Senyar, Indonesia probes whether development amplified scale of disaster
JAKARTA — Best known as the home of the world’s rarest great ape, the mountainous Batang Toru forest landscape on the island of Sumatra has become a test case for whether Indonesia can enforce…
news.mongabay.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:15 PM
After Cyclone Senyar’s deadly floods in northern Sumatra, scientists say extreme rain wasn’t the only cause.
Decades of deforestation in Batang Toru — home to the Tapanuli orangutan — likely amplified the damage, with risks lingering long after forests are cleared.
Decades of deforestation in Batang Toru — home to the Tapanuli orangutan — likely amplified the damage, with risks lingering long after forests are cleared.