Begonias, along with orangutans and many other rainforest inhabitants are in danger now. Will these precious jewels of the jungle be located by scientists, described, eventually named and shared, so that people can love and marvel at their incredible beauty? Or will the bulldozer get there first, destroying where they live, making way to plant oil palm plantations for cheap palm oil? Retired horticulturalist and animal advocate Mel Lumby will keep fighting for as long as she lives.
Category Archives: Creatives for Cool Creatures
Anthropologist and author of ‘In the Shadow of the Palms’ Dr Sophie Chao: In Her Own Words
Dr Sophie Chao is an environmental anthropologist and environmental humanities scholar interested in the intersections of capitalism, ecology, Indigeneity, health, and justice in the Pacific.
Palm Oil Detectives is honoured to interview to Dr Sophie Chao about her research into the impacts of palm oil on the daily lives of Marind people and other sentient beings in West Papua.
I wrote In the Shadow of the Palms because I wanted the world to understand how deforestation and industrial oil palm expansion are undermining Indigenous ways of being in West Papua.
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen: In His Own Words
Bio: Dr Evan Allen Dr. Evan Allen, the author of Oversaturated, believes that a pervasive distortion of the truth ignores decades of established research and has led millions of people to embrace a diet high in saturated fat. Furthermore that this diet results in millions of people suffering the consequences of diabetes, dementia and heart diseaseContinue reading “Health Physician Dr Evan Allen: In His Own Words”
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee
Author of this report Aviary Doert holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology and has worked for a decade in medical and laboratory science. They are an amateur conservation scientist, with experience in field work and research. They are hoping to positively impact the environment and planet through education and increasing awareness of the consequencesContinue reading “The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee”
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
What is a Steady State Economy? A Steady State Economy is a mildly fluctuating economy that does not exceed ecological and planetary limits. A Steady State Economy is not an alternative economic ideology that is centred on endless GDP growth. It is neither capitalism nor communism. Economic growth, with all of its downsides, is clearlyContinue reading “How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy”
Barbara Crane Navarro: Artist & Activist In Her Own Words
Bio: Barbara Crane Navarro Barbara Crane Navarro is a French artist, writer, Indigenous and animal activist who lives near Paris. From 1968 to 1973 she studied at Rhode Island School of Design, then she went on to study at the San Francisco Art Institute in San Francisco, California, for a BFA. Her work over manyContinue reading “Barbara Crane Navarro: Artist & Activist In Her Own Words”
Zoologist and TV Presenter Dr George McGavin: In His Own Words
Bio: Dr George McGavin Dr George McGavin FLS FRGS Hon. FSB Hon. FRES studied Zoology at Edinburgh University, followed by a PhD in entomology at Imperial College and the Natural History Museum in London. After 25 years as an academic at Oxford University he became an award-winning television presenter. George is an Honorary Research AssociateContinue reading “Zoologist and TV Presenter Dr George McGavin: In His Own Words”
The Orangutan with the golden hair: A short story by Setia Budhi @setiabudhi18
He’s a golden haired orangutan, at least that’s what the villagers called him…. He is a male of the species of Pongo pygmaeus. This orangutan appears all the time on the slopes of the Müller Mountains, located 10,000 meters from the Mantikip Dayak village in the lush green heart of Borneo. News spreads rapidly throughoutContinue reading “The Orangutan with the golden hair: A short story by Setia Budhi @setiabudhi18”
Dayak Indigenous Ethnographer Dr Setia Budhi: In His Own Words
Bio: Dr Setia Budhi Dr Setia Budhi is a senior lecturer in Anthropology and Sociology at Universitas Lambung Mangkurat. He is an indigenous advocate, forest conservationist and a research specialist in Dayak ethnography in South, Central and East Kalimantan. He completed his PhD in 2010 at UKM Malaysia under the supervision of Prof. Awang HasmadiContinue reading “Dayak Indigenous Ethnographer Dr Setia Budhi: In His Own Words”
Wildlife Vet Dr Richard K Ssuna: In His Own Words
Bio: Dr Richard K. Ssuna Dr Richard K. Ssuna has been caring for (wild and domesticated) animals as a Veterinarian for over 20 years. In the past he’s worked for the Uganda Society for the Protection and Care of Animals (USPCA), the Jane Goodall Institute and Chimpanzee Sanctuary, Wildlife Conservation Trust on Ngamba Island ChimpanzeeContinue reading “Wildlife Vet Dr Richard K Ssuna: In His Own Words”
Primatologist Cleve Hicks: On chimpanzee cultures, veganism and how consumers can help save the world
Dr Hicks speaks with Palm Oil Detectives about his chimpanzee research, veganism, deforestation, palm oil and what consumers can do to help the endangered animals of Africa.
Wildlife Photographer Craig Jones: In His Own Words
Bio: Craig Jones One of Britain’s finest wildlife photographers, Craig Jones is also one of the most humble and down-to-earth guys you will ever meet. His photography and stories capture the lives of endangered rainforest animals that we hold so dearly to our hearts: Sumatran orangutans, Sumatran tigers, Sumatran elephants, Siamangs and more. His workContinue reading “Wildlife Photographer Craig Jones: In His Own Words”
Dalida Innes
My name is Dalida Innes, I am from France originally and I live in Sydney, Australia. I love wildlife, landscape, travel photography and everything between. I travel as often as I can and try to make the most of it. Encounters with nature have taken me to incredible places and I have met fantastic people. I amContinue reading “Dalida Innes”
Jo Frederiks
Jo Frederiks is a passionate animal rights advocate, speaking through her art to create awareness and inspire change to a vegan way of life. She is a full-time practising artist, exposing the well-hidden plight of animals we enslave, exploit and needlessly use for food, clothing, entertainment and research. Working in varying mediums, Frederiks favours graphite and oil paint. She has previously studied at The Arts Academy in Brisbane, graduating with Honours.
Szabolcs Kókay: Wildlife Artist
Szabolcs Kókay was born in Hungary in 1976, and has been interested in nature, especially birds, since childhood. Although he has been drawing for as long as he can remember, it was only later on in his life, around the age of 20, when these two interests merged. For Szabolcs, watching and sketching nature goContinue reading “Szabolcs Kókay: Wildlife Artist”
Winnie Cheche
“I love wildlife and I am ready to do whatever I can to ensure that future generation get to see animals” ~ Winnie Cheche Kenyan conservationist and activist Winnie Cheche believes that humans are the custodians of nature. Hence it is our duty to protect nature not destroy it. Her work in conservation, education andContinue reading “Winnie Cheche”
Palm Oil Detectives 