A shocking report has found that half of all Orangutans in Borneo have been killed in the last 20 years. Over the course of that time, 100,000 of the animals have been killed. This is due to deforestation and people hunting the animals. This makes Orangutans one of the fastest declining wild animals on the planet today. If their decline continues this fast, it would mean that these animals would become extinct in the next 20 years.
This could see us losing one of the planets most iconic animal.
What Is The Threat Facing Orangutans?
The biggest threat which faces the Orangutan a loss of their habitat. Their habitat is the Borneo rainforest, which is situated in Indonesia. The Borneo rainforest is being destroyed due to humans clearing the forest. Humans are mainly clearing the Borneo rainforest for palm oil plantations. Palm oil plantations are planted so that palm oil can be extracted from the palms and used in many every day items we consume or use. . Nearly everything that we consume contains palm oil. Palm oil can be found in things such as crisps, butter and even in beauty products, such as lipsticks. Palm oil is found in everyday products.
Palm oil is disastrous for wild animals. This includes Orangutans.
If Orangutans are not killed when their forest home is destroyed, they can be subjected to cruelty by humans. These animals have been literally tied up in chains by humans. They have also been set on fire, or have caught fire because their forest home was set on fire. Humans set the Borneo rainforest on fire to clear the land of rainforest and animals - this is quicker than bulldozing and felling the forest but has devastating effects on wild animals. It is largely deforestation of the Borneo rainforest that is resulting in this animals decline. Something which could see their extinction.
Orangutans Are Still Declining Despite Government Report
Orangutans are still declining, despite a government report from the Indonesian government saying that their numbers were increasing. The Indonesian government has claimed that the Orangutan population in Borneo has increased by 10% in just 2 years, something which scientists are saying is not happening. They are also saying that it is ''impossible'' that Orangutan numbers have increased over those two years.
Scientists say that the threat to these animals is still persistent. The threats of deforestation for palm oil plantations and Orangutans being hunted by humans, is still causing their decline, say scientists. The study by the scientists is supported by the UN.