Extinction of the Sumatran Orangutan:
The Sumatran orangutans are dying at rapid rate due to the loss of their habitat. This is happening in North Sumatra, and other parts, because of fire and conversion of forests to oil palm plantations and other agricultural development. Even though palm oil is beneficial, as it is a basic source of income for many farmers, is locally used as a cooking oil and can be converted into bio fuel, it has major side effects towards the environment and ecosystems around it. However, the extinction of the iconic orangutans are caused by the building of palm oil plantations. Wide spread forest fires are deliberately started in order to clear land for the plantations, this is becoming a regular disaster. Fires are not only destroying the orangutans homes but when apes are trying to escape they also end up burning to death, unable to escape the flames.
In addition, a plan of development, adding a new major road in northern Sumatra, is now threatening one of the largest remaining areas of living orangutans habitat. The road is not only going to destroy the forest and part it but it will also open access for illegal logging activities and human settlements. This may seem like a huge development for the island, but it is going to kill thousands of innocent orangutans… don’t you think there is a way to develop the country and sustain its ecosystems and environment! Moreover, without the orangutans seed dispersal will also become a problem!Orangutans are frugivores, fruit eaters, and thus, play a vital role in the dispersal of seeds over a huge area. If orangutans were to disappear, so would several tree species, especially those with larger seeds. Imagine a forest without trees...a world without fruits. So save the orangutans and tell the palm oil plantations to build sustainably!
The Sumatran orangutans are dying at rapid rate due to the loss of their habitat. This is happening in North Sumatra, and other parts, because of fire and conversion of forests to oil palm plantations and other agricultural development. Even though palm oil is beneficial, as it is a basic source of income for many farmers, is locally used as a cooking oil and can be converted into bio fuel, it has major side effects towards the environment and ecosystems around it. However, the extinction of the iconic orangutans are caused by the building of palm oil plantations. Wide spread forest fires are deliberately started in order to clear land for the plantations, this is becoming a regular disaster. Fires are not only destroying the orangutans homes but when apes are trying to escape they also end up burning to death, unable to escape the flames.
In addition, a plan of development, adding a new major road in northern Sumatra, is now threatening one of the largest remaining areas of living orangutans habitat. The road is not only going to destroy the forest and part it but it will also open access for illegal logging activities and human settlements. This may seem like a huge development for the island, but it is going to kill thousands of innocent orangutans… don’t you think there is a way to develop the country and sustain its ecosystems and environment! Moreover, without the orangutans seed dispersal will also become a problem!Orangutans are frugivores, fruit eaters, and thus, play a vital role in the dispersal of seeds over a huge area. If orangutans were to disappear, so would several tree species, especially those with larger seeds. Imagine a forest without trees...a world without fruits. So save the orangutans and tell the palm oil plantations to build sustainably!