Jakarta Globe, Madeleine Wilson, January 26, 2014
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| Three different species have been identified in Borneo, but the true number mat be nearer to six. (JG Photo/Madeleine Wilson) |
Surrounded
by plants and in front of a whiteboard, with biology related words like
“nuclei” and “mitochondria” being tossed around, I felt like I had been
transported back to junior high school where I had stalwartly insisted on
leaving such terms behind. But what shone through despite the jargon was Puji
Rianti’s passion for her current research. Research that she insists is key to
the conservation efforts of the endangered orangutan.
Talking
about her study and teaching roles at Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB),
Puji hesitates “Let’s just say that I’m a biologist.”
Perhaps a
more general label is appropriate. While her undergraduate years were focused
on in-vitro fertilization, her masters thesis investigated the effectiveness of
insect pollinators. Now venturing into the fields of genetics and primatology,
it is fair to say that Puji has covered a fair amount of ground.
A love for
biology in all of its forms began in junior high school. As one of the top
students in her class, Puji was on the hit list for the IPB — a school renowned
for its “invitation-only” policy.
She was
fortunate enough to find a mentor in one of her professors, Bambang Suryobroto.
In a conservative university system that seemed intent on retaining a formal
barrier between teacher and student, Puji describes Bambang as “one in a
million”; a teacher that commanded respect while still encouraging a very open
dialogue with his students.
In those
early years, Bambang encouraged Puji to assist on some extra curricular field
work involving macaques in Pangandaran, West Java. It was this role that
kindled a love affair with primates.
The
opportunity to continue working with the lovable mammals was a stroke of luck,
Puji admits.
It so
happened that a syndicate, known as the Evolutionary Genetics Group, from the
University of Zurich had recently produced research looking at the genetic
makeup of the Sumatran and Bornean orangutans. They were offering a scholarship
to an Indonesian student to continue this research, which Puji managed to
secure — a result she puts down to having excellent odds. Incidentally, she was
the only one to apply.
Almost
three years and two trips to Switzerland later and Puji believes they are well
on their way to piecing together a more comprehensive story that has resulted
in a genetic subdivision of the endangered species.
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| Puji Rianti in the laboratory. (JG Photo/Madeleine Wilson) |
The big
question
It is now
widely accepted that there are two species of orangutan. Those that live in
Northern Sumatra ( Pongo abeilii ) and those from the island of Borneo ( Pongo
pygmaeus ).
From here,
the lines become somewhat blurry. In Borneo, three different subspecies have
been identified. But it is believed that there may be up to six.
Puji is
focusing on the population in Sumatra, which is among the most endangered, with
only 6,600 animals left in the wild. Her research indicates a genetic
difference between the orangutans commonly found to the north of Lake Toba and
those whose natural habitat is on the southern side.
This may
seem unremarkable or even, insignificant. But the more compelling matter is why
the population that lives in the southern region bears more resemblance to its
long-lost Bornean cousins than to its much nearer supposed relatives on the
other side of the lake?
“That is
the big question,” Puji says.
A multitude
of factors can affect how natural populations are genetically structured. It may
be as a result of environmental circumstances limiting the breeding ground of a
species. Or similarly, the habitat itself — the existence of predators and the
like. The social organization can also play a role; whether a species engages
in pack-life or prefers a more solitary lifestyle, such as orangutans.
Puji and
her fellow researchers believe a forced Bornean immigration to Sumatra
following the eruption of Lake Toba 70,000 years ago might explain the genetic
similarities between the two, otherwise distant, populations.
Importance
to conservation
Mitochondrial
DNA analysis might not currently feature in the majority of orangutan
conservation discourse, but that does not indicate a lack of importance.
These
smaller populations of orangutan can pose all sorts of problems for the future
of the species. We all know what happened with some royal families. If they
continue to breed within these small subdivisions, the genetic diversity will
continue to diminish and in turn affect the overall fitness of the population.
Puji notes
that the lack of knowledge surrounding the varying genetic structure means that
we are also in danger of losing the original species.
“Most zoos
in Indonesia are still putting the Sumatran orangutan and the orangutan from
Kalimantan in the same cage. Of course they will breed. They will create a
hybrid. And they will create a new species.”
There is
also an issue with habitat. Currently, the Sumatran orangutan resides
predominantly in trees — a result of dangerous predators prowling the jungle
floor. But the Bornean orangutan, without such worries, spends most of its time
below the canopy.
Returning a
rescued orangutan to the incorrect environment can therefore be hugely
detrimental to its survival.
Preventing
this is the ultimate goal, Puji says.
“If we can
complete the genetic database, we will be able to identify all rescued
orangutan and know where they come from so that when they are saved, they can
be return to their natural habitat.”
She admits
that while the conservation efforts are improving, a lack of understanding
about the importance of the movement is inhibiting the progress.
When
completing field research, she is often abused by local villagers who can’t
understand why she would study the orangutan, a pest that eats all their crops,
over the orang (human being).
Thievery,
of course, is not typically in the habit of an orangutan, but a necessary
measure when their homes are being continually destroyed, often for the benefit
of palm oil plantations. These same palm oil companies have been reported to
instigate policies of paying local people Rp 150,000 ($12) for each orangutan
killed.
A rampant
illegal primate trade still exists, with some buyers out for an exotic pet and
others with more sinister exploits in mind.
Many of the
smaller village communities still hunt the animal for its meat. In Kalimantan
alone, it is estimated that 1,000 orangutans are killed every year for this
very reason.
“I’m not
going to blame the locals — it’s the system,” Puji says.
“We need to
educate the villagers as to why we are doing this and also provide them with an
alternative.”
She
believes it is about everybody doing their part and working together.
“I just
hope that the little things I do here — the pure science, genetics — will help
the conservation project.”
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