How are orangutans habitats being destroyed?

How are orangutans habitats being destroyed?

The primary threat to the orangutan’s habitats is deforestation for the benefit of oil palm plantations, mining, and infrastructure. In addition, forest and peat fires degrade the forests further. Over 60 percent of orangutan habitats in Indonesia and Malaysia have been destroyed in the past four decades.

Why Sumatran orangutans are endangered?

The destruction and degradation of the tropical rain forest, particularly lowland forest, in Borneo and Sumatra is the main reason orangutans are threatened with extinction. Additionally, the illegal animal trade has been a factor in the decline of wild orangutan populations.

How are orangutans being affected by deforestation?

Deforestation is indeed the primary threat to the orangutan, a species of great ape known for its keen intelligence and the fact that it’s the largest animal to live primarily in trees. Orangutans are also killed for the illegal wildlife trade. Poachers kill the mothers and then sell their babies as pets.

What are the major threats to orangutans?

Threats to Orangutans

• Loss of habitat through deforestation.
• Palm oil plantations.
• Illegal hunting.
• Illegal pet trade.

How is the Sumatran orangutan adapted to its habitat?

The word orangutan means ‘person of the forest’ and orangutans are perfectly adapted to their habitat. Their long arms and feet like hands allow them to grasp branches mean they travel with ease through the forest canopy. This allows light to reach the forest floor, which helps the forest to regenerate naturally.

How can we save the Sumatran orangutan?

Here’s what you can do to help:

1. Support organizations such as Health In Harmony that are working to protect orangutans and their habitats.
2. Buy FSC-certified products.
3. Avoid products made with unsustainable palm oil.
4. Make small changes in your day to conserve natural resources.
5. Talk to others.

Why are orangutans losing their habitat?

Habitat Loss Orangutan habitat in north Sumatra is being lost at an extremely high rate, mainly due to fire and conversion of forests to oil palm plantations and other agricultural development.

How are Sumatran orangutans being protected?

Orangutans are protected by legislation dating from 1931 which prohibits the owning, killing, or capture of the species. However, the illegal trade in orangutans continues to annihilate remaining wild populations, often linked to logging and clear cutting for plantations.

Why is the Sumatran rainforest being cut down?

Deforestation has been facilitated by lack of governance and happened often through land grabbing in disregard of tenurial rights. The massive land clearing for development of their plantations and harvesting of natural forest wood is measurably contributing to climate change through emission of forest and peat carbon.

What are the main threats to a Sumatran orangutan?

The single biggest threat to orangutans in both Borneo and Sumatra is the loss of their rainforest habitat. However, young orangutans are also still highly valued as pets, although its illegal to capture or keep them. Orangutan mothers are invariably killed to obtain their infants.

How can we stop orangutans from becoming extinct?