Conservation-Based Ecotourism to Discover Wild Sumatran Orangutan
Gunung Leuser National Park
Tualang Gepang, North Sumatra
A recent study suggests that for ecotourism to have a meaningful impact on the conservation of orangutans and other highly endangered creatures, it must produce sufficient cash to counterbalance the income derived from logging or poaching. Additionally, it can allocate a portion of its income to assist in the reintegration of animals afflicted by human-wildlife conflicts back into their original habitats. Equilibrium refers to a state of harmonious intellectual and emotional balance between humans and nature in this particular region.
Tualang Gepang and SUMECO.
SUMECO’s ecotourism activities in Tualang Gepang will make a substantial contribution to conservation initiatives that are designed to mitigate wildlife exploitation in the region. It is essential to recognize that SUMECO will be established in Tualang Gepang in the future with the goal of promoting the untamed Sumatran orangutan as a new ecotourism destination.
Bukit Lawang has been the location of SUMECO’s headquarters from February 2012 to November 2025. In recognition of its exceptional location and ability to prioritize its conservation performance in the rescue and rehabilitation of the animals of Gunung Leuser National Park, SUMECO selected Tualang Gepang to serve as its Wildlife Conservation Camp and ecotourism base. The location is a mere 15 minutes by motorbike from the congested Bukit Lawang.
The poverty line outside the ecotourism zone is a very real and severe issue, as SUMECO has come to the realization after being engaged in ecotourism for over a decade. In actuality, it will be exceedingly difficult to communicate conservation narratives while local communities continue to contend with the threat of starvation. SUMECO’s ongoing assignment is Halaban Ecotourism, which showcases untamed Sumatran elephants. Nevertheless, we are not satisfied with this status quo; we are currently engaged in a new project: Tualang Gepang Ecotourism, which showcases untamed Sumatran orangutans. The enterprise will persist in its operations for as long as it is profitable, and animals will be preserved.
Ecotourism, Livelihood and Wildlife Conservation
We acknowledge the necessity of advocating for sustainable lifestyles and actively participating in environmental preservation, especially with regards to animal welfare. The following are immediate measures we can implement to guarantee the effectiveness of community-based conservation projects.
The COVID-19 pandemic period provided SUMECO with a revealing and important lesson, underscoring the company’s susceptibility and substantial financial and operational difficulties in the absence of tourism income. Although SUMECO greatly appreciates and recognises the importance of Sumatra’s biodiversity, it cannot be achieved without the income produced from ecotourism.
SUMECO distinguishes itself widely from major NGOs that have abundant international financial resources. Indeed, SUMECO intentionally separates itself from this strategy because of the widespread internal manipulation seeking to generate profits by creating non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Conversely, I (Bobi Handoko) founded SUMECO with the intention of maximising and distributing a substantial amount of my personal earnings from a small, privately-owned firm.
The existence of orangutans in Bukit Lawang has had a substantial economic influence, providing advantages to several stakeholders within a 140 km radius, spanning from Bukit Lawang to Kualanamu International Airport. SUMECO’s considerable experience working with leading NGOs over a period of 3 years revealed clear evidence of resistance against ecotourism activities. This position originated from the conviction that these activities undermined the NGOs’ capacity to efficiently preserve natural resources and achieve their performance objectives, as they were motivated by the desire for additional funding.
The Asian Great Ape, Sumatran Orangutan
The Sumatran orangutan, scientifically known as Pongo abelii, is one of the three species of orangutans in Asia. They are located on the island of Sumatra, as indicated by their name. Orangutans, commonly known as orange apes, are the only species of giant ape found outside Africa. Orangutans are distinguished by their solitary nature, unlike other ape species that exhibit strong sociality. Orangutans predominantly inhabit trees throughout their lifetimes, while gorillas and chimpanzees primarily forage for sustenance and traverse the terrestrial environment. This is another significant difference between Sumatran orangutans and African big apes.
The Sumatran orangutan is more endangered than the Bornean orangutan due to the severe decline of numbers across its formerly vast natural habitat, caused by exploitation and habitat destruction. All orangutans are classified as endangered. Let us analyze numerous essential facts concerning Sumatran orangutans.
1. Visual Characteristics and Structure (Anatomy).
Sumatran, Bornean, and Tapanuli orangutans are the biggest arboreal animals on the planet. As a result, they have developed notable adaptations to support their tree-dwelling existence, which entails predominantly residing in trees. Sumatran orangutans exhibit abnormally elongated arms relative to their legs, facilitating branch access. Both hands and feet exhibit remarkable agility and dexterity, allowing them to sustain a secure hold for prolonged durations. Orangutans possess opposable thumbs, allowing them to grab and peel the skin of fruits. Sumatran orangutans are somewhat smaller than Bornean orangutans. They frequently have lighter fur and longer beards in comparison to Bornean and Tapanuli orangutans. Sumatran orangutans display cranial dimensions that are much bigger and have more rounded facial characteristics than Tapanuli orangutans, which are likewise native to the island of Sumatra.
2. Diet and Nutrition.
Sumatran orangutans are omnivorous beings that ingest both flora and fauna for sustenance. Nonetheless, the principal element of the Sumatran orangutan’s diet consists of fruit sourced from nearby trees. Sumatran orangutans exhibit the capability to detect fruit trees and properly anticipate the date of fruit ripening. Sumatran orangutans ingest both ripe and unripe fruits that are easily peeled, as well as a variety of plant materials, including new shoots, insects, eggs, and small animals. Sumatran orangutans mostly fulfill their water needs through the consumption of this fruit. Nonetheless, they are acknowledged for their capacity to extract water by physically seizing water sources.
3. Distribution.
The Leuser Ecosystem serves as a permanent habitat for Sumatran orangutans. This habitat is situated in the juncture of the northernmost provinces of Aceh and North Sumatra, with an area of approximately 2.6 million hectares. The Leuser Ecosystem, situated in Southeast Asia, represents the largest protection area for rainforest ecosystems in the region. It contains approximately 85 percent of the surviving rainforest environment in Sumatra. The number of Sumatran orangutans in the region surpasses 1,000 individuals.
4. Threats.
The orangutans’ native habitat in North Sumatra has significantly diminished, primarily due to fires, deforestation for oil palm plantations, and other agricultural developments. Sumatran orangutans depend significantly on unspoiled forests. Intentional and recurrent forest fires, commonly employed to clear land for crops, have evolved into a pervasive calamity. Fires not only devastate the habitat of orangutans but also lead to their mortality. Their failure to escape the flames was attributable to their lethargic pace.
5. Our Relatives.
The Sumatran orangutan exhibits a 96.4 percent DNA similarity to humans, rendering it one of our nearest living relatives. Sumatran orangutans have significant similarities to humans in terms of physical characteristics and behavioral attributes. In Malaysia and Indonesia, orangutans are called Orang Hutan, meaning “Forest People”. Although all three orangutan species exhibit a desire for solitude, Sumatran orangutans are relatively more inclined towards social interaction. They often manifest in family groups and congregate in areas rich in sustenance or pristine water sources. Sumatran orangutans, like to other great apes, have significant intellect and have been documented using tools in their natural environment, such as using sticks to extract honey. They adorned their hands and feet with foliage to protect themselves from thorny plants. Empirical research suggests that skill acquisition depends on the particular population, indicating that skills are imparted to the younger generation through instruction rather than being inherited.
6. Conservation Status.
The IUCN now classifies the Sumatran orangutan as severely endangered. Therefore, if the damage continues, many species will surely face extinction in their native environments in the near future. The rising demand for tropical lumber and affordable palm oil appears to be accelerating the deforestation process anew. These procedures are often executed illegally in areas populated by Sumatran orangutans. The Sumatran orangutan population is estimated to have decreased by 80 percent during the last 75 years. This species predominantly resides in trees, so its survival is largely dependent on the presence of forests. Ensuring their existence requires supporting programs to stop illegal deforestation and animal poaching. Sumatran orangutans has considerable potential and play a vital role in supporting ecotourism by creating thousands of employment possibilities.