Sulawesi’s Endangered Bear Cuscus Needs Legal Protection to Survive
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📰 The quick summary: New research reveals Sulawesi’s endangered bear cuscus occupies less than 1% of surveyed habitats, highlighting the urgent need to restore its protected status and preserve its fragmented ecosystem.
📈 One key stat: Only 12,119 hectares (less than 1% of studied areas) remain suitable for the bear cuscus, showing how critically their habitat has shrunk due to human activities.
💬 One key quote: “Today, unfortunately this bear cuscus is no longer included as a protected species,” Siti Nurleily Marliana, a conservation ecology Ph.D. from the University of Gadjah Mada who is one of two authors of the paper, wrote in an email to Mongabay.
1️⃣ The big picture: Researchers have created the first habitat suitability model for Sulawesi’s endangered bear cuscus, revealing its severely limited and fragmented range. The study found that mining operations and poaching pose immediate threats to this marsupial’s survival, with less than 1% of surveyed areas remaining suitable for the species. Despite its ecological importance as one of few marsupials in western Wallacea, the bear cuscus was unexpectedly dropped from Indonesia’s protected species list in 2018. This oversight leaves an already vulnerable species with dwindling protection against accelerating forest loss, with South Sulawesi losing 12.5% of its forests between 2000 and 2023.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Conservation biologists now have concrete data to support reinstating legal protections for this unique marsupial. The research provides crucial insights into exactly where conservation efforts should focus to preserve remaining suitable habitats. Local communities have shown receptiveness to conservation education when presented with accurate information about the cuscus. The species holds significant scientific value for understanding evolution and biogeography in the Australasia region. Cultural connections between local people and the bear cuscus provide a foundation for community-based conservation initiatives that can help restore populations.
3️⃣ What’s next: Researchers urge officials to reinstate legal protections for the bear cuscus immediately. Conservation efforts must focus on strengthening habitat connectivity between fragmented forest patches. Greater public awareness campaigns should educate communities about the cultural and ecological importance of this unique marsupial species.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – Study urges legal protection for Sulawesi’s endangered bear cuscus amid habitat loss
