21 August 2025
Ever imagined a kangaroo-like animal living in trees? Meet the Obi Cuscus (Phalanger rothschildi), a unique, tree-dwelling marsupial endemic to Obi Island and its smaller surrounding islands. Weighing around 1.3 kilograms, this nocturnal creature rests during the day in hidden nests among leaves.
Just like kangaroos, the mother cuscus carries her young in a pouch until they can survive independently. Its brownish-orange or greyish-black fur, yellowish-white belly, and dark back stripe effectively camouflage it within dense foliage.
At night, the Obi Cuscus roams the forest canopy in search of its favorite fruits like betel, kersen (Jamaica cherry), and awar-awar (fig species). Along its journey, it unknowingly helps spread seeds and strengthen forest regeneration. That's why it's considered one of Obi Island's natural seed dispersers.
Although its current conservation status is "Least Concern" according to the IUCN, the Obi Cuscus still faces threats from illegal hunting. Protecting its habitat and educating the community are crucial to maintaining a stable population.
As a company operating on Obi Island, Harita Nickel is committed to balancing industrial activities with environmental preservation. The Obi Cuscus is just one of many endemic animals found on Obi Island.
This commitment is realized through various initiatives, ranging from biodiversity monitoring to the gradual and measured rehabilitation of impacted areas. Additionally, environmental education is a vital pillar in Harita Nickel's operations, involving not only Indonesian and foreign employees but also the local community. This underscores Harita Nickel's commitment, along with all its partners, to implement Sustainability and Biodiversity policies, which are the responsibility of everyone within the company.
Sephy Noerfahmy, Conservation Superintendent at Harita Nickel, stated that the company continuously strives to raise awareness about the importance of preserving endemic wildlife among both employees and local communities. “Since the second quarter of 2025, we've regularly conducted educational sessions for school students in Kawasi and Soligi Villages, empowering them as ambassadors for wildlife conservation,” said Sephy.
To date, 90 kindergarten and elementary school students in Kawasi Village have received information about the endemic animals inhabiting the forests and gardens around their homes. This initiative aims to foster pride and awareness of the importance of conservation from a young age.
A work culture that supports animal and habitat preservation continues to be built through regular socialization on the prohibition of wildlife hunting and the importance of maintaining ecosystem balance in mining areas. Harita Nickel believes that sustainability can only be achieved if all elements of the company understand and collectively fulfill their ecological responsibilities.
Through cross-functional collaboration and an adaptive approach, Harita Nickel continues to strive to be part of the solution to ensure that mining activities on Obi Island do not neglect the extraordinary natural heritage surrounding it.
Go Top