Story perspectives

First Sumatran Orangutan Crosses Rope Bridge, Restoring Connectivity

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

After a 2023 road upgrade split 350 orangutans, a Sumatran orangutan became the first to cross one of five rope canopy bridges over the Lagan-Pagindar road in Pakpak Bharat.
Camera traps had recorded squirrels, macaques, langurs and gibbons on the bridges, which include monitoring gear and patrols.
Erwin Alamsyah Siregar and Helen Buckland said the crossing shows rope bridges can reconnect habitats and lower inbreeding risk for the endangered orangutan.

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Story summary

After a 2023 road upgrade split 350 orangutans, a Sumatran orangutan became the first to cross one of five rope canopy bridges over the Lagan-Pagindar road in Pakpak Bharat.
Camera traps had recorded squirrels, macaques, langurs and gibbons on the bridges, which include monitoring gear and patrols.
Erwin Alamsyah Siregar and Helen Buckland said the crossing shows rope bridges can reconnect habitats and lower inbreeding risk for the endangered orangutan.