Palm oil: the global killer we need to talk about
Humans have a long, dark history of coming up with “miracle” products that facilitate our lives and then become so in-demand that it’s hard to stop using them, despite their ill-effects on the environment and wildlife. Plastics, fast food, and paper cups are just some obvious examples. One such product that certainly falls into this … Continued
An “activist” orangutan fights off bulldozer to save home
When animals attack, it’s usually for a pretty good reason. Often it’s because they’re trying to protect their young, or sometimes their food. And then there are the animals who attack for sheer survival, after a human hand has given them no other choice. Enter one “activist” orangutan in Indonesia, who finally had enough and … Continued
10 of nature’s most dedicated mothers
Human mothers are not the only ones who go the extra mile when it comes to protecting, nurturing and raising their offspring. These examples prove that throughout the animal kingdom, there is nothing like a mother’s love.
The 'people of the forest' are disappearing. Here's why
As of last month, the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is now listed as critically endangered by the IUCN Red List. It joins the closely related Sumatran Orangutan (P. abelii), meaning that both species are now sitting precariously on the brink of extinction. The orangutan are rainforest apes found in South-east Asia. Mainly arboreal, they spend … Continued
Whale and winghead sharks heading for existential abyss, and imminent extinction looms over orangutans
Human behaviour is pushing several species right to the very brink of extinction, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has recently warned. The organisation, which monitors the world’s most vulnerable populations, has just listed whale sharks and winghead sharks as ‘Endangered’, while Bornean orangutans have been added to the ‘Critically Endangered’ section … Continued
Her mother was killed by poachers, but this orangutan is getting a second chance
Cindy, an orphaned orangutan that spent her life in captivity, gets a second chance thanks to the kind-hearted people at International Animal Rescue. Here is her story.
This baby orangutan is a real mama's boy
Orangutans are primarily solitary creatures, except for the first 2 years of life when they’re completely dependent on their mothers. The first 4 months are spent literally glued to mom, never leaving her side. Once the ape starts developing climbing skills, at about the age of 2, distance starts to grow between mother and infant. … Continued
These endangered Indonesian animals are dying in the worst forest fire on record
People and animals in Indonesia currently face an apocalyptic scenario. Wildfires are ploughing destructive paths through the nation’s islands, producing more carbon dioxide than the entire US economy while polluting the country in a thick and inescapable smog. Similar fires take place every year, with dried-out peat forests intentionally burned to make room for industrial … Continued