Where have the wild things gone
Indonesia is iconic for many reasons, one of which is its biodiversity. However, much of the wildlife in Indonesia is in danger of extinction. Factors such as rapid deforestation, habitat loss, and the rise of illegal wildlife trade are causing the country to lose more of its unique species. One example is the long-tailed macaque, a primate found throughout Southeast Asia. These monkeys are known for their adaptability and ability to thrive in urban and wild environments. Despite their versatility, long-tailed macaques are listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List. This situation arises from a combination of factors: increased deforestation and a rise in hunting and trapping have significantly impacted even such an adaptable species as the long-tailed macaque.
Two young long tail macaques play in Gunung Leuser National Park, Indonesia.
Evening Traffic in Medan, North Sumatra, Indonesia. As a rapidly urbanizing country, Indonesia faces the challenging task of balancing the need for economic development through industrialization and agriculture while ensuring that the natural environment and wildlife habitats remain intact.
A mother macaque sits grooming her baby in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. Macaques are incredibly social animals that live in large troops. Like humans, macaques learn survival skills from their parents at a young age. Separating macaques from their troop has devastating effects on the individual animal, resulting in forms of distress and depression. Separating an infant from its parents and troop deprives the animal of its natural state.
A woman strolls along the path in the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest in Bali, Indonesia, while long-tailed macaques observe the people as they pass by. In Ubud, these macaques have become accustomed to human presence and coexist in the same spaces.
Cages line the back streets of Bandung's Pasar Burung (bird market) in Indonesia. While these types of pet markets are common throughout Indonesia, they primarily cater to the sale of small songbirds. However, it's important to note that other animals, including some illegal species, can also be found for sale in these markets.
A young macaque sits in a cage for sale at Pasar Burung, the bird market in Bandung, Indonesia. Although it is illegal to sell or buy long-tail macaques in Indonesia, the trade of these animals remains prevalent and largely unregulated.
Gunung Leuser National Park, located in Sumatra, Indonesia, is an ecologically diverse treasure encircled by vast expanses of palm oil and rubber plantations. Now, more than ever, it is essential for parks in Indonesia to serve as sanctuaries for wildlife amid the advancing agricultural boom.