Research identified 59 orangutan food plants, with over 50% having medicinal properties
According to a survey by the Wehea-Kelay Landscape Collaboration Forum, there are approximately 1,200 orangutans in the Wehea-Kelay Landscape, East Kalimantan. Beyond being part of the region’s wildlife diversity, the orangutans here have become a source of knowledge for humans.
The Dean of the Forestry Faculty at Mulawarman University, Irawan Wijaya Kusuma, presented research findings from a joint study between his faculty and The Nature Conservancy Indonesia (YKAN). They studied 59 types of orangutan food plants in Wehea-Kelay. The results showed that more than 50% of these plants have ethnopharmacological properties, such as pain relief, anti-inflammatory effects, supplements, and other health benefits that could also benefit humans.
“One species is Macaranga conifera, which has potential as an anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and antioxidant agent, and can be developed into skincare products,” Irawan explained during the Exposition of Sustainable Natural Resource Management Collaboration Results in the Wehea-Kelay Landscape in Samarinda on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
Macaranga conifera grows rapidly and reaches large sizes in a short time. Its leaf extract is rich in phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, which have high pharmacological potential. “We have developed facial treatments based on Macaranga conifera with anti-aging, anti-acne, and skin-brightening benefits. This product was chosen to meet current skincare market demands,” he explained.
The landscape serves as a buffer zone for the Kelay and Wahau River Watersheds, providing water for tens of thousands of people in Kelay District, Berau Regency, and the Districts of Kombeng, Wahau, and Telen in East Kutai.
Anwar Sanusi, Chair of the Wehea-Kelay Landscape Collaboration Forum, mentioned that this area contributes about 35% to the Land Cover Quality Index achievement based on data from the Kalimantan Ecoregion Development Control Center (2023).
The local Dayak Wehea community protects their last forests from deforestation through the Petkuq Mehuey group—forest guardians in the Dayak Wehea language. This group consists of young people tasked with preventing illegal logging, monitoring wildlife, and accompanying tourists visiting the Wehea Protected Forest.
The wisdom of orangutans and the biodiversity of the Wehea-Kelay Landscape are expected to raise awareness among various parties to help preserve the forests and their ecosystems.
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