India, June 15 -- Climate change intensified rainfall from Cyclone Senyar may have killed 58 Tapanuli orangutans, the world's rarest great ape, a new study says.

The suspected deaths represent about 7% of the species' total wild population, which is estimated at fewer than 800 individuals.

Satellite imagery showed 8,303 hectares of landslide scars in the West Block of the Batang Toru ecosystem in Sumatra, the species' largest remaining stronghold.

News reports in December 2025 had already warned that floods in the region may have caused catastrophic wildlife losses.

Researchers say the disaster could affect the population for up to a decade because Tapanuli orangutans reproduce slowly, with females giving birth only once every six to ...