“ The orangutang is like the people, like the human.“ - Local guide in Bukit Lawang.
The name orangutan means "man of the forest" in the Malay language. Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal, spending most of their time in trees. They share 96.4% of our genes and are highly intelligent creatures! Sumatran Orangutans are critically endangered, with less that 14,000 remaining. Sumatran orangutans are reported to have closer social bonds than their Bornean cousins, and rely on trees more than any other rainforest animal.
Orangutans are "gardeners" of the forest, and play a vital role in seed dispersal in their habitats. They make a new nest to sleep in every night, and never stay in the same one! Orangutans' extremely low reproductive rate makes their populations highly vulnerable, with females giving birth to one baby at a time every 3-5 years. This means the species can take a long time to recover from population declines. With human pressures only increasing, orangutans face an increasing risk of extinction ☹️.
Deforestation, habitat loss, hunting, and illegal wildlife trade all threaten these intelligent beings, and all of these threats are 100% human caused. Illegal logging and Palm Oil plantations take away the homes that these creatures peacefully live in, and have no way of protecting 💔.
According to Health in Harmony, this is how you can help:
“1. Support organizations such as Health In Harmony that are working to protect orangutans and their habitats. Your donations make it possible for us protect and reforest Gunung Palung National Park, home to one of the last remaining viable orangutan populations.
2. Buy FSC-certified products. Look for the Forest Stewardship Council certified label (FSC) on wood products such as furniture and paper products. The FSC monitors sustainable forestry practices.
3. Avoid products made with unsustainable palm oil. Rainforests are often cleared to make room for palm oil plantations, causing orangutans to lose their homes. Palm oil is used in so many products now that it is here to stay, but your choices can make a difference. Choose products made from deforestation-free palm oil, and put pressure on companies that aren’t responsibly sourcing their materials. There are alternatives to products that contain palm oil but sometimes it can be hard to tell if a product contains palm oil. It can appear on labels under the following terms: Vegetable Oil, Vegetable Fat, Palm Kernel, Palm Kernel Oil, Palm Fruit Oil, Palmate, Palmitate, Palmolein, Glyceryl, Stearate, Stearic Acid, Elaeis Guineensis, Palmitic Acid, Palm Stearine, Palmitoyl Oxostearamide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Kernelate, Sodium Palm Kernelate, Sodium Lauryl Lactylate/Sulphate, Hydrated Palm Glycerides, Etyl Palmitate, Octyl Palmitate, Palmityl AlcoholMake small changes in your day to conserve natural resources. Recycle, drive less, purchase products with less packaging, and throw away less waste in general. All of these practices help reduce the world’s load on its limited resources.
4. Make small changes in your day to conserve natural resources. Recycle, drive less, purchase products with less packaging, and throw away less waste in general. All of these practices help reduce the world’s load on its limited resources.
5. Talk to others. Talk with your friends and family to explain why you are not buying certain products and why you are trying to drive your car less often. Explain to them why those simple everyday actions can help orangutans. The orangutans need you.”
00:00 Just the Beginning
02:42 Tiny Baby Orangutan!
05:17 Mom and Baby in Nest
