Illegal Gold Mining Destroys 14 Hectares of Indonesia's Orangutan Sanctuary

Illegal gold miners have encroached upon the Jantho forest reservation in Indonesia, a protected area critical for rehabilitating rescued orangutans. The incursion poses a severe threat to critically endangered Sumatran orangutans that were previously saved from illegal wildlife trade. Mining operations have already devastated approximately 14 hectares of the sanctuary's habitat. Toxic runoff from the mining activity is also contaminating the nearby Krueng Aceh River, raising serious concerns for both local communities and surrounding wildlife.