ORDER PRIMATES: PRIMATES 167 



comprises practically the northwestern quarter of the island. In 

 their recent report on the animal here, Carpenter and Coolidge 

 (1938) indicate that the regions of Lami, Tapa Toean, and Ba- 

 kongan are the places on the west coast of Atjeh where Orang-utans 

 live in the largest numbers. They occur over the greater part of 

 Atjeh except the high central districts above 1,500 meters, the cul- 

 tivated and thickly populated districts on the east coast, the grass- 

 lands of the north, the rough mountains north of Lamno, and culti- 

 vated sections of the west coast, especially around Meulaboh. 

 Although an estimate of the numbers and normal density of popu- 

 lation is largely guesswork, it seems likely that the centers of abun- 

 dance are "around the Simpang Kanan and Peureulak Rivers on 

 the East Coast, and along the West Coast in suitable forests from 

 Lami to Singkel." They show a marked preference for lowlands 

 but may range up to 1,500 meters, though with a sharp decrease 

 above 700 or 800 meters. There is some evidence of local move- 

 ments following the seasonal ripening of certain fruits on which they 

 feed. In summary, these authors state that the Orang is found in 

 "an estimated fifty per cent of the primary forests" in Atjeh; "as 

 large clearings are made in* the rather level lowlands, these apes 

 are being destroyed or forced into the hills and mountains where 

 it is questionable whether or not conditions, including food supply, 

 are sufficiently suitable for the maintenance of the present popula- 

 tion level. However, large areas of Atjeh, because of its rugged 

 topography and inaccessibility, will remain naturally protected for 

 a long time as an orang-utan habitat. Europeans and not natives 

 threaten the orang-utan population, the most serious inroads being 

 made by commercial developments in the areas suitable for orang- 

 utan habitats. Numbers of these apes are being shot annually under 

 the supposition that they attack human beings, and it is feared 

 that government records do not accurately record all animals cap- 

 tured or killed." 



For the better preservation of these interesting apes, the authors 

 recommend an extension of the present Alas National Park or Loser 

 Reservation and the development of a smaller reserve especially for 

 Orangs south of Meulaboh, together with the planting of food trees, 

 especially the durian. Further, the desirability of additional reserves 

 and special measures is advocated, particularly that "the killing 

 and capture of this animal for trading or exhibition purposes be 

 completely stopped and that its use for accredited but limited scien- 

 tific purposes alone be permitted." 



G. M. A. 



