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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Environment & Climate

Viral Video of Disoriented Cuscus Highlights Deforestation Crisis in Papua

From Tempo · () Indonesian

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • A viral video shows a Papuan cuscus disoriented in a deforested area in Merauke, South Papua, sparking concerns about habitat loss.
  • The cuscus, a tree-dwelling marsupial, is highly dependent on its forest habitat for survival, including food and shelter.
  • Experts warn that continued deforestation for projects like palm oil plantations could drive cuscus populations toward local extinction due to fragmented habitats and reduced genetic diversity.

A viral video capturing a Papuan cuscus appearing disoriented on a tree stump in a cleared forest area in Merauke, South Papua, has ignited widespread concern over habitat loss driven by deforestation. The footage, initially shared on TikTok and widely circulated on social media, shows the marsupial motionless amidst the remnants of its former environment, with excavators visible in the background.

Because these animals live and forage in trees, the loss of forest also means the loss of their main habitat.

— Instagram post @ussfeedsExplaining the direct impact of deforestation on the Papuan cuscus shown in the viral video.

The incident highlights the severe impact of large-scale forest conversion in South Papua, a region designated for strategic projects aimed at food and energy self-sufficiency, including expanded palm oil plantations. Government plans have reportedly led to the rezoning of nearly 500,000 hectares of forest for various development purposes, directly threatening the ecosystems that support unique wildlife.

They move very slowly, cannot travel long distances, and have prehensile tails specifically adapted for climbing between tree branches.

— Wartika Rosa FaridaDescribing the physical characteristics of cuscuses that make them vulnerable to habitat loss.

Wartika Rosa Farida, a researcher at the National Research and Innovation Agency, explained that cuscuses are arboreal marsupials endemic to eastern Indonesia, relying entirely on tree canopies for shelter, food, and movement. Their slow pace and inability to traverse long distances or open land make them exceptionally vulnerable to habitat fragmentation.

As a researcher who has studied cuscuses in various parts of eastern Indonesia, I emphasize that protecting their forests means protecting the species itself.

— Wartika Rosa FaridaHighlighting the critical link between forest conservation and cuscus survival.

"Because these animals live and forage in trees, the loss of forest also means the loss of their main habitat," the Instagram post accompanying the video stated. Farida elaborated that deforestation deprives cuscuses of essential resources and breeding grounds, leading to reduced genetic diversity and increased risk of local extinction. She stressed that protecting their forests is crucial for the species' survival.

Because cuscuses move very slowly and do not cross open land, genetic diversity will decline, accelerating local extinction.

— Wartika Rosa FaridaWarning about the long-term consequences of habitat fragmentation on cuscus populations.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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