Critical Orangutan Habitat is in Danger of Being Deforested for Palm Oil – Stop This Now!

The population of the Bornean orangutan has declined by over 50 percent in the past 60 years. The reason for this terrible drop in the number of orangutans is mainly the ongoing destruction of their natural habitat, especially rainforests which are being leveled to make room for palm oil plantations.

Palm oil can be found in around 50 percent of consumer goods, so the demand (and profit) to produce this product far outweighs the consequences for the environment and animals, unfortunately. Despite efforts to curb the deforestation caused by these companies, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and GreenPalm certificates, the reality is that if there is money to be made, some will go to any lengths to exploit natural resources for their own gain.

Sungai Putri is one of the few remaining rainforests in West Kalimantan in Indonesian Borneo. It is home to between 750 and 1,750 Bornean orangutans who now face the threat of having their precious habitat destroyed. According to Rainforest Action Network, “This forest is one of the last vestiges of hope for this amazing species, and it is under imminent threat from the expansion of Conflict Palm Oil and pulp plantations.” Considering there are only around 45,000-69,000 Bornean orangutans left on the planet, the survival of this population is crucial.

We cannot let this happen. Sungai Putri, one of the last expanses of the critically endangered orangutans’ natural habitat, has to be protected and saved from destruction.

Click here to sign Rainforest Action Network’s petition to Indonesia’s President Jokowi asking for immediate protection of the forest!

Image source: dptro/Shutterstock