Quantifying and Managing Orangutan-induced Disturbance on Second-rotation Oil Palm Plantations

The critically endangered orangutan depends on forest habitat to survive and cannot survive in pure monoculture plantations. However, they are increasingly observed in fragmented landscapes dominated by oil palm plantations, demonstrating unexpected ecological resilience. Their presence is often perceived as a threat due to potential crop damage. By comparing two cohorts of young palms of the same age (one cohort disturbed by wild orangutans, and one undisturbed), findings by the authors show that initial feeding on young oil palms causes no long-term economic harm, with full plant recovery within two years. A new spatial analysis was carried out and the significant overlap between orangutan ranges and areas designated for palm replanting in Borneo and Sumatra is highlighted. Palm replanting offers an opportunity to redesign landscapes that balance biodiversity conservation with agricultural productivity (creation of High Conservation Value forests or forest corridors, diversifying landscapes through sustainable native species agroforestry). As orangutans increasingly need to use mosaic habitats dominated by agriculture, the only viable solution in the long-term is to foster coexistence between people and these great apes. Key strategies to achieve coexistence include mitigating human-orangutan interactions, raising awareness at all levels of the oil palm industry, and implementing responsible monitoring. Rather than viewing orangutans as liabilities, recognising them as assets in these landscapes can make a real contribution to the conservation of remaining wild populations. With proper management, oil palm plantations can support orangutan populations, promoting both long-term ecological resilience and sustainable agriculture. Keywords: Coexistence, conflict, conservation, oil palm plantation, replanting, management, orangutan.