Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier

Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier

Red List Status: Vulnerable

Location: Indonesia (Sulawesi, Buton, Muna, Kabaena, Selayar, Togian Islands)

The spectral tarsier is found across several islands in the Sulawesi biogeographic region of Indonesia. They live in dense lowland and submontane forests up to 1,500 metres elevation, including degraded and agricultural landscapes.

The Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier is one of the smallest and most endearing #primates in the world. With the largest eye-to-body ratio of any #mammal, this wide-eyed, nocturnal #insectivore is found only in #Sulawesi and nearby Indonesian islands. Although they show some tolerance to human-altered landscapes, they are listed as #Vulnerable by the Red List due to rampant #deforestation for #palmoil and #timber agriculture, limestone #mining, #pesticide use and agricultural #pollution and the illegal pet trade. These elusive primates are declining fast. Use your wallet as a weapon: always choose products that are 100% palm oil-free and never support the exotic pet trade.#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

Spectral #tarsiers 🐵🐒 can leap 40x their own body length and sing to each other in sonic vibrations humans can’t hear. They’re now #vulnerable from #PalmOil 🌴🩸🤮 Help them survive when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴☠️🚜🔥🧐⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/08/spectral-tarsier-tarsius-tarsier/

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Spectral #Tarsiers of #Sulawesi #Indonesia 🇮🇩 are moon-loving #primates 🐒 who get busy on a full moon hanging out in small groups 🌝🌛✨ Fight for their survival against #PalmOil #Ecocide and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🙊🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/08/spectral-tarsier-tarsius-tarsier/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The spectral tarsier is a tiny, delicate primate with velvety brown fur and an unforgettable face. Their saucer-like amber eyes dominate their head, enabling astonishing night vision. They cannot move their eyes in their sockets, but instead swivel their heads 180 degrees like an owl.

They are social primates who groom, vocalise, and nest together in groups of two to six. They spend their days snuggled up together in dense vegetation and become active at dusk and night.

Vocal Duets at Night and Dawn at Ultrasonic Frequencies Not Detectable by Humans

These duets, sometimes also heard during territorial conflicts at night, are performed by both males and females and can even include ultrasonic frequencies undetectable to the human ear (Gursky, 2000). At dawn, group members return to their sleeping site, often vocalising in loud duets or choruses that reinforce social bonds and territorial boundaries

Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi sitting in a tree. Photo_ Andrej Gudkov for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi, in Tangkoko National Park. Photo: Artrush for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsier native to Sulawesi sitting in a tree. Photo by Nicolas Sanchez Biezma for Getty Images (2)
Spectral Tarsier native to Sulawesi sitting in a tree. Photo by Nicolas Sanchez Biezma for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier (2)
Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier (3)
Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier (5) boycott palm oil!
Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi, in Tangkoko National Park. Photo_ Artrush for Getty Images (3)
Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi, in Tangkoko National Park. Photo_ Artrush for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi, in Tangkoko National Park. Photo_ Artrush for Getty Images (2)
Spectral Tarsiers, native to Sulawesi sitting in a tree. Photo_ Ondrej Prosicky for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsiers, native to Sulawesi sitting in a tree. Photo Andrej Gudkov for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi, in Tangkoko National Park. Photo by Nicolas Sanchez-Biezma for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi sitting in a tree. Photo_ Andrej Gudkov for Getty Images
Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier threats

Scent making and foraging together

Males tend to travel farther than females and patrol their home ranges, which average around one hectare (MacKinnon & MacKinnon, 1980). They regularly scent-mark boundaries using urine and epigastric glands. Both sexes urinate on their hands to spread their scent and enhance their grip while leaping.

Gravity-defying leaps

Despite their small size, tarsiers can jump over 40 times their body length thanks to their elongated tarsus bones, a feature from which they get their name. Their elongated ankle bones, and suction-cup-like fingertips allow them to spring through the forest canopy in gravity-defying leaps.

Lunarphilia: Increased Activity Under a Full Moon

These tiny tree-dwellers are not only nocturnal, they display “lunar philia”—increased activity under brighter moonlight—which helps compensate for their lack of a tapetum lucidum (a reflective eye layer common in other nocturnal animals). Instead, their massive eyes provide extreme light sensitivity. When threatened by predators like snakes, civets, or birds of prey, tarsiers may scatter and hide—or mob the predator by surrounding it and making repeated vocal attacks until it flees.

During a landmark study at Tangkoko Nature Reserve in Sulawesi, Gursky (2000) documented over 1,000 encounters between adult group members across 442 hours of focal observations. Social behaviour occurred frequently throughout the night—not just during rest periods—and nearly half of all interactions involved adult male–female pairs. In some groups, females were also highly interactive with one another, and subadults from neighbouring groups engaged in friendly cross-sex encounters. These interactions ranged from quick greetings to prolonged sessions lasting over three hours, including grooming, play, and coordinated foraging.

Diet

Unlike most primates, spectral tarsiers are obligate carnivores. Their diet is composed entirely of live prey—mainly insects such as moths, cicadas, beetles, and grasshoppers. They also opportunistically catch small lizards, snakes, and birds. Their lightning-fast reflexes, long fingers, and extraordinary night vision make them formidable miniature hunters in the darkness.

Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier - Asia 4
Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier - Asia
Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier - Asia 1

Reproduction and Mating

Spectral tarsiers breed twice a year, between April–June and October–November. Males and females form monogamous pairs during mating season, staying close through ultrasonic duets and courtship rituals including genital sniffing, scent marking, and chirping. After a gestation period of about six months, a single, highly developed infant is born. Infants begin venturing off alone as early as 23 days of age. Adolescent siblings often babysit younger offspring, freeing the mother to forage. Both males and females disperse from their natal groups as they mature.

Geographic Range

The spectral tarsier is endemic to Indonesia, found in Sulawesi, Buton, Muna, Kabaena, Selayar, and the Togian Islands. Although once thought to have a wide continuous range, this species likely consists of several distinct and cryptic island species. Populations are fragmented and localised, especially due to habitat loss and recent taxonomic revisions that split several former subspecies into distinct species.

Threats

Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier threats

• Habitat loss due to palm oil, agriculture, and illegal logging

Vast areas of Sulawesi’s once-intact tropical forest are being cleared for monocultures including palm oil, coffee, nutmeg, and coconut. These practices eliminate the dense understorey vegetation that tarsiers need for sleeping, foraging, and nesting. Although spectral tarsiers show some tolerance to disturbed areas, ongoing forest clearance dramatically reduces their viable habitat, isolates populations, and increases the risk of local extinction.

Major threats include habitat loss due to agriculture, illegal logging, mining of limestone for cement manufacture, agricultural pesticides, and predation by domestic animals (dogs and cats). Based on habitat loss alone, this species is considered Vulnerable in that at least 30% of the habitat has been converted in the past 20 years (approximately three generations).

IUCN Red List

• Limestone mining for cement production

Spectral tarsiers often roost in karst limestone formations, which provide critical sleeping sites and shelter. However, the demand for limestone in cement manufacture has led to extensive quarrying in Sulawesi. This destruction removes entire microhabitats and creates irreversible changes to the landscape that tarsiers cannot adapt to or recolonise.

• Pesticide use in agricultural zones

Insecticides used on plantations surrounding forest fragments poison the tarsiers’ primary food sources. As obligate insectivores, any reduction in insect abundance has immediate and severe impacts on their survival. Furthermore, bioaccumulation of toxins in their prey may lead to health problems or infertility in tarsier populations.

• Predation by domestic animals such as dogs and cats

With the encroachment of human settlements into forest edges, free-ranging dogs and cats often hunt and kill small native fauna like the spectral tarsier. These domestic predators are especially dangerous at night when tarsiers are active. They also introduce diseases to which wild animals have little immunity, increasing mortality.

• Illegal capture for the exotic pet trade

Spectral tarsiers are sometimes taken from the wild to be sold as pets, particularly in tourist hotspots like Tangkoko. These nocturnal primates do not survive well in captivity due to their strict dietary needs and extreme stress from handling. Removing them from the wild not only causes immense suffering but disrupts fragile family groups and reduces genetic diversity in already fragmented populations.

• Lack of legal protections and inadequate conservation measures

Although the species is listed as Vulnerable by the Red List and under Appendix II of CITES, this offers little practical protection on the ground. Many of the forests they inhabit remain unprotected and are at risk of conversion or degradation. The full extent of their decline may be underestimated due to their cryptic nature and unresolved taxonomy, and some distinct island populations may already be on the brink of extinction.

Take Action!

Use your power as a consumer to help save the spectral tarsier. Boycott palm oil and products that destroy Indonesian forests. Never support the exotic pet trade. Tarsiers are wild animals, not pets. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts and ecosystem restoration in Sulawesi. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife and be #Vegan #BoycottMeat to help them survive!

FAQs

How many spectral tarsiers are left in the wild?

Exact numbers are unknown due to their cryptic nature and complex taxonomy. In one well-studied location, Tangkoko, population density is estimated between 70 and 156 individuals per square kilometre (MacKinnon & MacKinnon, 1980; Gursky, 1997). However, many island populations are isolated and may be in steeper decline than previously understood.

How long do spectral tarsiers live?

In the wild, spectral tarsiers may live up to 14–16 years. In captivity, their close relatives have lived up to 17 years. Ageing tarsiers show greying fur and slower activity (Archuleta, 2019).

What makes them different from other primates?

Spectral tarsiers are the only exclusively carnivorous primates, relying entirely on live animal prey. They also possess the largest eye-to-body ratio among all mammals and use ultrasonic vocalisations for echolocation and social bonding—traits rarely seen in primates (Gursky, 2019).

Are spectral tarsiers endangered because of palm oil?

Yes. While not their only threat, palm oil-driven deforestation is one of the biggest threats to them and many 1000’s of other animals and plants in their ecosystem. The conversion of tropical forests into palm oil monoculture severely reduces the complex undergrowth they rely on for roosting, foraging, and raising young. Pollution and pesticide run-off from agricultural plantations also poses a major threat. The razing of their natural ecosystem for palm oil makes it easier for illegal poaching to occur and capture for the illegal wildlife trade.

Are tarsiers good pets?

No—spectral tarsiers are intelligent and emotionally complex beings with specialised needs. Keeping them as pets is not only unethical and extremely cruel but is also a major threat contributing to their extinction. Wild-caught individuals often die from stress and trauma, and their removal devastates wild populations. If you love tarsiers, never buy them or keep them as pet! —Instead campaign against the pet trade.

Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier (5) boycott palm oil!

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

IUCN Rating vulnerable

Gursky, S. (2000). Sociality in the spectral tarsier, Tarsius spectrum. American Journal of Primatology, 51(1), 89–101. https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1098-2345(200005)51:1%3C89::aid-ajp7%3E3.0.co;2-7

Gursky, S.L. (2022). The Effect of Tourism on a Nocturnal Primate, Tarsius Spectrum, in Indonesia. In: Gursky, S.L., Supriatna, J., Achorn, A. (eds) Ecotourism and Indonesia’s Primates. Developments in Primatology: Progress and Prospects. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-14919-1_5

MacKinnon, J., & MacKinnon, K. (1980). The behaviour of wild spectral tarsiers. International Journal of Primatology, 1(4), 361–379. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02692280

Shekelle, M. 2020. Tarsius tarsier. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T162369551A17978304. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T162369551A17978304.en. Downloaded on 08 February 2021.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d). Spectral tarsier. Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spectral_tarsier

Spectral Tarsier, native to Sulawesi, in Tangkoko National Park. Photo: Artrush for Getty Images

Spectral Tarsier Tarsius tarsier

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Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus

Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus

Endangered

Cambodia; Laos, Thailand

The charming pileated #gibbon 🐒 partners for life and sings in a regional “accent”. Don’t let forests go silent! They’re threatened by #hunting and #palmoil #deforestation Take action! 🌴🔥⛔️ #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/08/pileated-gibbon-hylobates-pileatus/

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Pileated gibbons form close bonds with their partners and children 🐵🐒🙉. They’re endangered in #Laos #Cambodia #Thailand by #hunting and #deforestation for #palmoil and #timber. Fight for them and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/08/pileated-gibbon-hylobates-pileatus/

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The Pileated Gibbon is listed as Endangered as they are suspected to have experienced a reduction of more than 50% over a time frame of three generations (45 years) in the past. Most populations are not yet secured in protected areas, and the main threats are habitat loss due to logging, agricultural conversion, hydroelectric development and new human settlements (W. Brockelman pers. Comm.)

IUCN Red List
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus

Appearance and Behaviour

The Pileated Gibbon belongs to the genus Hylobates. The word Hylobates means ‘Forest Walker’ in Greek. The gibbons in this genus are known for the white circle of fur around their faces. They are known to communicate in species-specific song when defining territory or attracting mates. They sing in regional accents to each other, have long swinging arms, inquisitive natures and superior acrobatic skills, they spend most of their lives high up in the tree-tops. Researchers find the species somewhat shyer and more elusive than the Lar Gibbon (W. Brockelman pers. Comm.)

Mating and Reproduction

The Pileated Gibbons form strong monogomous bonds with their partners and children.

Habitat and Geographic Range

They live in moist, seasonal evergreen and mixed deciduous-evergreen forests and have been recorded living to about 1,500 m in Cambodia and to around 1,200 m in Thailand.

Diet

The Pileated Gibbon is similar to the Lar Gibbon in diet and general ecology and they eat mostly fruits, shoots, and some immature leaves, as well as insects (Srikosamatara 1980, 1984).

Threats

Hunting and habitat loss: This species is threatened by both hunting, primarily for subsistence, and severe habitat fragmentation and degradation (Duckworth et al. 1999, Traeholt et al. 2005).

In Thailand, all populations are now within protected conservation areas and the era of logging and slash-and-burn agriculture (Brockelman 1983) is now mostly over.

Deforestation even in ‘protected’ forests is a threat: Nevertheless, severe encroachment has occurred in eastern Khao Yai Park and other major protected areas, and subsistence hunting by minor forest product collectors is still uncontrolled (Phoonjampa and Brockelman 2008). In Cambodia, however, habitat destruction is a more immediate threat than poaching, especially in remote areas.

Most populations are not yet secured in protected areas, and the main threats are habitat loss due to logging, agricultural conversion, hydroelectric development and new human settlements (W. Brockelman pers. Comm.)

How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd
How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Brockelman, W, Geissmann, T., Timmins, T. & Traeholt, C. 2020. Hylobates pileatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T10552A17966665. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T10552A17966665.en. Downloaded on 08 February 2021.

Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis

Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia (west of the Mekong River), China (southern and western Yunnan, possibly southwestern Guangxi), north-eastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura), Laos Myanmar (including the Mergui Archipelago), Thailand (north of the Isthmus of Kra), and Vietnam.

The Bengal Slow Loris‘s are wide-eyed beauties that are arboreal and nocturnal and live in tropical evergreen rainforest, semi-evergreen forest, and mixed deciduous forest. They are the largest loris species and feed predominantly on plant sap. They are now endangered in Malaysia and other parts of South East Asia, their primary threats are illegal capture for the pet trade and #palmoil #deforestation throughout their range. Help them every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Bengal #SlowLoris are shy wide-eyed beauties who are #nocturnal and live in 🇲🇾 #Malaysia 🇹🇭 #Thailand. They face multiple threats including #palmoil #deforestation. Help them when you shop! #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔🔥☠️🩸🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/08/bengal-slow-loris-nycticebus-bengalensis/

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Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis - Asia 7
Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis - Asia 6
Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis - Asia 1
Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis - Asia 4
Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis - Asia 3
Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis - Asia 2
Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis - Asia 1

The major threats that this species’ habitat faces include farming, timber removal, human settlement, road building, dams, power lines, fragmentations, soil loss and erosion, and deliberately set fires.

IUCN Red List

Appearance and Behaviour

The Bengal Slow Loris is the largest of all slow loris species, a nocturnal primate whose soulful eyes, moon-like face and deliberate movements have made them both iconic and vulnerable. Once widespread across the lush forests of Asia, their numbers have been slashed by more than half in just over two decades, driven by relentless hunting, the illegal pet trade, and the clearing of forests for palm oil, timber, and agriculture. Every destroyed tree and every loris taken for trade deepens the silence in these forests. Stand up for the Bengal Slow Loris—use your wallet as a weapon and BoycottPalmOil Boycott4Wildlife.

The Bengal Slow Loris is cloaked in dense, woolly brown-grey fur, with a lighter, creamy underside. A striking dark stripe runs from the crown of their head, sometimes forking towards the eyes, which are set in triangular patches of dark fur. Their hands and feet are pale, and they possess a distinctive “toilet-claw” on the second toe for grooming. Their large, round head and short ears lend them a gentle, almost spectral appearance, while their enormous, forward-facing eyes glow with a vivid orange under torchlight. They move with slow, deliberate grace, gripping branches with powerful, opposable toes, and sleep curled in dense foliage or tree hollows by day. At night, Bengal Slow Lorises emerge to forage, marking their territory with scent and communicating through soft whistles and scent cues. Uniquely, they are venomous, secreting a pungent oil from a gland near the elbow, which they spread on their toothcomb for defence.

Threats

Habitat loss and deforestation

The Bengal Slow Loris is Endangered, with forests disappearing beneath the advance of palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture. Bulldozers flatten ancient trees, leaving behind barren earth and fragmented canopies. Roads, power lines, and dams dissect once-continuous habitats, isolating populations and exposing them to new dangers. In many regions, slash-and-burn agriculture turns vibrant green into ash, and selective logging removes the old trees that lorises depend on for food and shelter.

Hunting, the illegal pet trade, and traditional medicine

Hunters pursue the Bengal Slow Loris for bushmeat, Chinese medicine, and the illegal pet trade. In border markets like Mong La, Myanmar, hundreds are killed and sold annually—limbs traded as key rings, bodies dried for medicine, and infants taken for pets. The demand as tourist photo props is especially severe in Thailand, where almost all lorises in the trade are Bengal Slow Lorises. Captured individuals endure stress, loneliness, and early death in captivity, with wild populations pushed ever closer to extinction.

Infrastructure projects, roads, forest fragmentation

As forests are fragmented, Bengal Slow Lorises are forced to the edges, crossing roads where many are killed by vehicles. Human settlements encroach deeper, bringing fire, pollution, and the constant threat of capture. Even protected areas offer little safety, as poaching and illegal logging persist.

Climate change and river pollution

Changing rainfall, altered fruiting patterns, and polluted rivers further erode the delicate balance of the forests these primates call home. As the climate shifts, the resources Bengal Slow Lorises rely on become scarce, compounding the effects of habitat loss and hunting.

Diet

Under the cover of darkness, Bengal Slow Lorises forage for nectar, plant sap, tree gum, fruits, and small invertebrates. Their diet is dominated by plant exudates—sticky gums and saps from wounded trees, which they lap up with specialised tongues. These exudates are a vital, year-round staple, especially when fruit is scarce. They also hunt insects, snails, or small vertebrates, their slow movements belying a patient, methodical approach. By feeding, they become pollinators and seed dispersers, quietly sustaining the health and diversity of their forest home.

Reproduction and Mating

Bengal Slow Lorises are not seasonal breeders—females can attract mates with a loud whistle at any time of year. Gestation lasts around six months, and usually only one infant is born at a time, though twins are rare. Newborns arrive with eyes open, covered in soft fur, and are carried by their mothers for the first three months. During this period, mothers may leave their young on branches while foraging, returning frequently to nurse and groom them. Weaning occurs at around six months, and young lorises reach sexual maturity by about 20 months. In the wild, Bengal Slow Lorises can live up to 20 years.

Geographic Range

The Bengal Slow Loris has the widest range of any slow loris species, spanning Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia (west of the Mekong), southern and western Yunnan and possibly southwestern Guangxi in China, north-eastern India (including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura), Lao PDR, Myanmar (including the Mergui Archipelago), Thailand (north of the Isthmus of Kra), and Vietnam. Within these countries, their forests are shrinking, and populations have vanished from many regions, especially where hunting and habitat loss are most severe. Even in protected areas, the absence of lorises is a stark reminder of their fragility.

FAQs

What is the current population trend for the Bengal Slow Loris?

The Bengal Slow Loris population has declined by more than 50 percent over the past three generations, and is projected to decline by another 50 percent in the next three generations due to ongoing hunting and habitat loss. Across much of their range, they have disappeared entirely, with only scattered, isolated populations remaining.

How long do Bengal Slow Lorises live?

In the wild, Bengal Slow Lorises can live up to 20 years, though many perish far earlier due to hunting, capture, and habitat destruction. In captivity, their lifespan may be shorter due to stress and poor conditions.

What are the main threats impacting the Bengal Slow Loris?

The greatest challenges are relentless hunting for the pet trade and traditional medicine, widespread deforestation for palm oil and other agriculture, and weak law enforcement even in protected areas. Fragmented habitats and the illegal wildlife trade make recovery difficult, and the species is often overlooked in planning for indigenous-led conservation.

How does agriculture threaten the Bengal Slow Loris?

Palm oil plantations, slash-and-burn farming, and other forms of agriculture have destroyed vast swathes of their forest habitat, leaving only fragments where lorises can survive. These agricultural frontiers are expanding, pushing the species ever closer to extinction.

How does the illegal pet trade endangered the Bengal Slow Loris?

The illegal pet trade is a primary driver of the Bengal Slow Loris’s decline. Infants are torn from their mothers, adults are mutilated or killed, and those sold as pets often die from stress, malnutrition, and loneliness. The trade also fuels demand for tourist photo props and traditional medicine.

Do Bengal Slow Lorises make good pets?

No. Bengal Slow Lorises suffer extreme stress, loneliness, and early death in captivity. The pet trade rips families apart, inflicts cruelty, and fuels their extinction in the wild. Keeping them as pets is illegal and unethical.

Why do Bengal Slow Lorises spit toxic venom?

Bengal Slow Lorises along with other lorises and are the world’s only venomous primates. They secrete a toxin from a gland near the elbow, which they spread on their teeth and use for defence. Their bite can cause severe allergic reactions in humans and other animals. This is an evolutionary defence mechanism to ward of predators.

How do Bengal Slow Lorises contribute to their ecosystem?

As pollinators and seed dispersers, Bengal Slow Lorises play a vital role in maintaining the health and diversity of their forests. Their feeding habits help regenerate trees and sustain the intricate web of life in their habitats.

Do Bengal Slow Lorises live in protected areas where they are safe?

While Bengal Slow Lorises are found in many protected areas, poaching and illegal logging are rampant even within these boundaries. Enhanced enforcement and indigenous-led stewardship are urgently needed to safeguard their future.

How does climate change affect Bengal Slow Lorises?

Climate change disrupts the fruiting patterns of trees, alters rainfall, and increases the frequency of fires, all of which threaten the Bengal Slow Loris’s delicate habitat and food sources.

What can be done to help Bengal Slow Lorises?

Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology, refuse to buy products containing palm oil, and never participate in the illegal pet trade or tourist photo prop industry. Stronger law enforcement and habitat protection are also critical.

Why are Bengal Slow Lorises used in Chinese medicine?

Their body parts are used in Chinese and other traditional medicine across Asia, believed to treat a range of ailments, especially for women after childbirth, though there is no scientific basis for these folk uses. The demand for these false and scientifically baseless remedies is driving the hunting and trade that threatens their survival.

Take Action!

Fight for the survival of the Bengal Slow Loris every time you shop. Boycott palm oil. Boycott products that drive deforestation. Reject the illegal pet trade and tourist photo prop industry. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Use your wallet as a weapon and demand a future where the forests still whisper with the movement of Bengal Slow Lorises. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

Endangered Primate Rescue Centre (EPRC)

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Nekaris, K.A.I., Al-Razi, H., Blair, M., Das, N., Ni, Q., Samun, E., Streicher, U., Xue-long, J. & Yongcheng, L. 2020. Nycticebus bengalensis (errata version published in 2020). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39758A179045340. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39758A179045340.en. Downloaded on 08 February 2021.

Nijman, V., Shepherd, C. R., & Nekaris, K. A. I. (2014). Trade in Bengal slow lorises in Mong La, Myanmar on the China border. Primate Conservation, 28, 139-144.

Pliosungnoen, M., Gale, G., & Savini, T. (2010). Density and microhabitat use of Bengal slow loris in primary forest and non-native plantation forest. American Journal of Primatology, 72(12), 1108–1117. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20875

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d). Bengal slow loris. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 13, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bengal_slow_loris

Bengal Slow Loris Nycticebus bengalensis

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis

Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis

Endangered

Malaysia

Extant (resident): Peninsular Malaysia

The Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard is a stunning and elusive reptile found exclusively in the cool montane forests of Peninsular Malaysia’s Titiwangsa Mountain Range. First described in 2009, they are known for their striking spines and intricate camouflage, which allow them to blend seamlessly into their forested environment. They are threatened by palm oil deforestation and urban expansion in Peninsular Malaysia. Help them to survive when you #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket!

As insectivores these lizards help regulate populations of insects and other small invertebrates. By preying on herbivorous insects, they prevent overgrazing of vegetation, which helps maintain the health and diversity of the forest undergrowth. They are a vital part of Malaysia’s biodiversity. Protecting their habitat ensures the survival of this precious lizard along with other irreplaceable species within these montane ecosystems.

With their eye-like patterns called oceli and olive green scales 🦎💚🐉, the Titiwangsa Horned Tree #Lizard cuts a striking figure in Peninsular #Malaysia 🇲🇾 They’re #endangered by #palmoil #deforestation. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/08/titiwangsa-horned-tree-lizard-acanthosaura-titiwangsaensis/

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Once thriving now #endangered #herps 🐍🦎🐸 Titiwangsa Horned Tree #Lizards 🐉💚 are a critical part of #Malaysia’s #rainforests keeping the insects in balance. Fight back for their survival and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🤮⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/08/titiwangsa-horned-tree-lizard-acanthosaura-titiwangsaensis/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard is easily recognisable by the prominent spines above their eyes, giving them a “horned” appearance, and smaller spines along their back. Their bodies are adorned with yellow-brown to olive-green scales, complemented by eye-like patterns (ocelli) for camouflage.

Typically, they perch on tree trunks at heights of no more than two metres during the day, remaining motionless to evade predators. Their arboreal lifestyle and striking features make them well-adapted to life in the dense undergrowth of montane forests.

Habitat

Endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, this species thrives in the montane forests of the Titiwangsa Mountain Range at elevations above 1,000 metres. These cooler, moist habitats are rich in vegetation and provide the perfect environment for shelter and foraging.

However, habitat loss from deforestation and land development poses a growing threat to their survival.

Diet

While direct studies on their diet are limited, the Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard likely feeds on insects and small invertebrates, similar to other species in their genus. By controlling insect populations, they play a key role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystem.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the reproduction of this specific species. However, like other agamid lizards, they are oviparous, laying eggs that incubate in soil or leaf litter. Field research is needed to better understand their breeding habits and population dynamics.

Threats

The Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard classified as endangered due to them being an endemic species to Malaysia’s rainforests and with a limited range. This range is consistently under threat by palm oil deforestation and urban development. Conservation measures are needed to protect them and their montane forest habitats.

• Habitat Loss: Deforestation for palm oil agriculture.

Urban development: Tourism and urban development of the Cameron Highlands is a growing risk for this lizard.

Illegal Wildlife Trade: Collection for local wildlife trade, local zoos and private collections pose a significant risk to wild populations.

Boycott Palm Oil to Protect the Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis

Protecting the montane forests of the Titiwangsa Mountain Range is crucial for the survival of this species. Advocate for habitat preservation and responsible land-use policies. Support initiatives that combat deforestation and regulate wildlife trade.

Join the #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife movements to safeguard the biodiversity of Malaysia’s unique forests.

The rapid conversion of rainforest for agricultural use and tourist development in the Cameron Highlands is a threat to this species’ habitat (L. Grismer and E. Quah pers. comm. 2017).

IUCN Red LIst

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Ecology Asia. (n.d.). Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard. Retrieved from ecologyasia.com

Grismer, L. & Quah, E. 2018. Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T99928409A99928418. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T99928409A99928418.en. Downloaded on 08 February 2021.

Species New to Science. (2012). Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis. Retrieved from Novataxa

The Reptile Database. (n.d.). Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis. Retrieved from Reptile Database

Acanthosaura cardamomensis at Khao Khitchakut National Park, Thailand by Rushenb on Wikipedia

Titiwangsa Horned Tree Lizard Acanthosaura titiwangsaensis

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

The Counterpunch: Consumer Solutions To Fight Extinction

Although the world is highly complex, every person can make a difference. That previous sentence almost sounds like a cliche right?

Really it’s not. If every person on the planet made a few simple lifestyle changes, it would result in less demand on land and resources and soften the impact of deforestation on endangered species.

The most powerful thing every one of us can do is to #Boycott4Wildlife and boycott the brands that are destroying the forests for palm oil, wood and soy.

Here are a few other changes you can make which collectively can save the natural world.

The Counterpunch: The easy consumer solutions that fight animal extinction and deforestation #activism #Boycott4Wildlife #minimalism #anticonsumerism #extinctionrebellion

Change your diet to be plant-based

Agriculture is the main threat to 86% of the 28,000 species known to be at risk of extinction. Whether or not you should become vegan is beyond the scope of this website. The choice is yours to make. However, there is overwhelming evidence that if every person changed their diet to be plant-based and reduced demand for meat, we could end deforestation, pollution and stop the mass extinction of thousands of animal species.

Industrial food production is a major driver of the planetary environmental emergency. Food systems are responsible for 21 to 37 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, 70 per cent of water use and 80 per cent of the pollution causing eutrophication and marine dead zones.

Human rights could address the health and environmental costs of food production, David R Boyd, The Conversation, September 2021.

Biomass is the collective weight of living animal species on the planet:

60%: The animals that humans eat: meat and dairy

36%: humans

4%: Wild animals

Currently, wild animals only make up 4% of the global biomass of animals, a whopping 60% of the world's biomass are animals we eat and the remaining 36% of the biomass are people
The Guardian: 2021 Report Plant-based diets crucial to saving global wildlife

This is pretty gross really. If we don’t change this imbalance, firstly all of the wild animals will die (which we are seeing right now), then the forests will die and then the entire planet will die, including humans because there will be no more oxygen to breathe. According to experts, this will happen within the next few decades.

Soy, followed by palm oil used in animal feed are some of the biggest causes of tropical deforestation on the planet

[Source: Global Canopy & Trase Insights]

the biggest causes of tropical deforestation on the planet
Soy, followed by palm oil used in animal feed are some of the biggest causes of tropical deforestation on the planet. Source: Global Canopy & Trase Insights.

The Counterpunch: Go plant-based

We live in a culture that celebrates meat-eating, it will take quite a lot of effort for some people to unlearn this. That is understandable. Wherever you are on the journey, even making some meals plant-based can make the difference to forests and wildlife.

Foodie inspiration

It is possible to make mouth-watering, indulgent, healthy and absolutely amazing food in your own home, all without hurting any animals, or the forests.

Will Yeung

Easy, quick vegan Asian fusion dishes.

Pick up Limes

Quick, healthy and vibrant vegan dishes.

Get savvy about green-washing marketing tactics by retail brands

Brands love to virtue-signal about how green they are. They use PR-friendly phrasing which make them sound amazing, but these words mean absolutely nothing in terms of real action.

  • “We are committed to ending deforestation by xyz”
  • “We have started on a journey towards xyz”
  • “We engraved our brand name onto a tree in the Amazon…”

This is also known as green-washing. As you have seen on this website – there are very few truly sustainable multinational retail brands that are not destroying the earth in some way or another. A good place to start looking for brands who may be doing the right thing:

However, be aware that there is no real guarantee that any brand is sustainable. Be suspicious of green ticks of approval or websites with overly flowery language to describe environmental activities. Be vigilant for new information about brands. Subscribe to news from independent watchdogs of (palm oil, wood, soy, meat) deforestation such as:

The Counterpunch: Find Alternatives

When in doubt, look for small-to-mid sized local retail brands that you can liaise with directly yourself to find out about their policies. Shop at independent supermarkets that support these brands and that source ethical products.

Understand: The RSPO and WWF Palm Oil Scorecard are yet another form of green-washing

The WWF Scorecard allocates a high, score to multinational brands that have not yet stopped deforestation activities in their supply chain.

Recent research from industry watchdogs indicates that retail brands with ‘No Peatland and No Deforestation (NDPE) policies for their palm oil are still buying from mills destroying forests. This means that whatever ‘sustainable’ RSPO certified palm oil label is attached to their brand – they are clearly responsible for large-scale species extinction.

So far, no palm oil industry watchdogs have been able to give Palm Oil Detectives any confirmation of any brand using deforestation free palm oil – even despite major brands such as Nestle, Ferrero, Unilever and Mars supposedly using ‘sustainable’ palm oil and obtaining a high rating on the WWF Palm Oil Scorecard.

These brands are complicit and responsible for the destruction of 38,000 ha of rainforest last year alone and the disappearance of 1,000’s of animal species forever.

Ergo – RSPO certification is a form of green-washing.

But perhaps we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater just yet!

If the RSPO can tighten its rules under pressure from consumers, it may actually make a positive difference to the forests and the animals. Consumers want all brands in the RSPO to stop 100% of their deforestation activities – right now. You can do this by joining the boycott and using the hashtag #Boycott4Wildlife

Oversight of the RSPO by independent authorities is critical to make sure big retail brands who are the big polluters and destroyers of the natural world are held to account. Consumer boycotts of supermarket brands are also critical to force the hand of change.

The Counterpunch: Boycott! Boycott! Boycott!

Using this website, you can boycott all of the brands responsible for deforestation, until they agree to stop destroying forests.

Once there is evidence (provided by independent sources: Greenpeace, Environmental Investigation Agency, etc) that deforestation has ceased – then, you will be able to find an updated list of deforestation-free palm oil brands here. But only once these brands are proven to have stopped cutting down forests.

Not promised, not talked about, not virtue-signalled…but fully ceased deforestation!

The Counterpunch: The easy consumer solutions that fight animal extinction and deforestation #activism #Boycott4Wildlife #minimalism #anticonsumerism #extinctionrebellion

Shop local and look for small-to-mid sized brands

Often (not always) small-scale SME businesses have better oversight of their supply chain. They can therefore give clear and definitive answers on where their ingredients come from and where their packaging comes from.

Shopping to support a local business means you support the local economy, rather than a nameless, faceless corporate giant.

When in doubt – reach out to the brand over the phone or in person. You should find it relatively easy to reach a flesh and blood human being and to have a conversation about deforestation free palm oil. If they are doing the wrong thing, rather than boycotting straight away, consider pressuring them initially to change to deforestation free palm oil or another oil source that is also deforestation free, often smaller companies have the ability to pivot quicker and change suppliers than larger companies.

I’m a Palm Oil Detector boycotting @Nestle @Unilever @Ferrero @Mars @Avon @Loreal because of their #palmoil #deforestation Join the fight! #Boycott4Wildlife

Buy wholefood ingredients and cook meals instead of buying convenience foods

Benefits

  • Healthier for your body, gives you more energy and helps you maintain a healthy weight.
  • Often (not always) cheaper than convenience foods.
  • Cooking from ingredients means you know exactly what you’re eating.
  • If you buy plant-based, your food choices aren’t hurting the forests and the endangered species living there.
  • Boycotting the deforestation palm oil in your convenience food benefits all of the animals.
  • You won’t be exposed to the harmful additives in convenience food that you can’t pronounce.

Break up with your stuff

Donate, sell and giveaway your excess stuff. Take the Marie Condo approach and live better with less. The stuff you own can end up owning you. Once you are rid of it and learn to live with less, there is a huge amount of freedom in this way of living.

Jettison your petrol-guzzling car

Ask yourself…do you really need a car? Can you just use an Uber instead and have an ebike for getting around? The next time you buy a car, can you buy an EV instead of a petrol-guzzler?

Audit all of the stuff you own

There’s no reason why every household on our planet needs a power drill, a hair dryer, a juicer, several TVs, expensive sporting equipment that’s used once and then stashed away. Instead you could always ask someone in your local area or your neighbourhood if and when you need to borrow something. Sharing things you rarely use instead of buying them helps to lower the pressure on natural resources.

Join the Sharing Economy

Live simply and join a community of people where you can borrow things, as and when you need it, rather than owning things outright. It saves on space, saves you money and it helps to slow down deforestation.

Trading websites are great for this. You help your local community and also

New Zealand:

TradeMe

Australia:

Gumtree Australia

USA:

Craigslist

Freecycle USA

UK:

Gumtree

Freecycle

Limit your exposure to advertising and surveillance with open-source software

When you rid your daily life of ads, it becomes easier to avoid feeling pressured to constantly buy furniture, tech, snack foods and all of those traps of modern life that are destroying rainforests.

Instead you can look after your privacy and limit your ad exposure with these open-source alternatives to Big Tech. The Big Tech companies buy and sell every aspect of your personal life to advertisers. Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google and Amazon are the worst for this.

Here are some alternatives:

Signal: Free state-of-the-art open-source private messaging for mobile devices and web. Used by whistle-blowers such as Edward Snowdon. A fully private alternative to Facebook-owned WhatsApp.

Ecosia: A Google search engine alternative that will plants trees the more you use the search function.

UBlock Origin: A free, open-source ad blocking browser extension that works in Firefox for both web browser and mobile device. It can also block ads on Youtube when you view videos in Firefox.

Proton VPN: Free and paid versions allow you to use a fully encrypted VPN tunnel that ensures your passwords and data stays safe. It keeps your browsing history private and data is stored securely in Switzerland. It protects the identity of activists and journalists in countries where they may be at risk.

Protonmail: A free open-source email service that provides complete privacy. Designed by CERN Scientists in Switzerland who were motivated to create a fully secure email service. Data stored in Switzerland which has one of the strictest data privacy policies in the world.

Linux: A free open-source computer operating system. An alternative to Microsoft Windows and Apple. It has a small learning curve to use it but this is 100% worth it. The documents you create and store on a Linux computer are fully private, whereas for Microsoft and Apple operating systems, this is not the case.

Beware of tech FOMO

Tech FOMO (Fear or Missing Out) means being sucked into marketing to buy the latest iPhone, smart watch or smart TV. In accordance with creating this demand, tech companies also ensure that tech is designed intentionally to fail after only a few years, so that consumers are forced to buy new products.

This sneaky trick is known as ‘Planned Obsolescence’. Apple and Android (Google) is the worst for this.

Technology is deliberately very difficult to take apart, repair or replace parts inside of mobile phones, tablets and computers. This forces consumers to purchase a new phone or new computer. This has a terrible impact on the natural environment, as more components for tech means more deforestation and mining and more animal extinction.

The same practice occurs in fast-fashion and furniture. The practice of planned obsolescence by brands is highly unethical and unsustainable for the environment and the animals that live there.

The Counterpunch: Learn how to be a hacker, a fixer and an Inspector Gadget

Instead of giving in to consumerist FOMO and buying the latest iPhone or gadget; look to websites like Make Use Of, IKEA Hackers, The subreddit on Hacks, Tinkernuts on Youtube and Wikihow to learn hack, fix and reconfigure all of your tech, furniture and personal items and say ‘up yours’ to the greasy machine of commodification. Learn more about how to stop obsolescence.

Buy less clothes

Fast fashion is a mode of clothing production that is very cheap due to low labour costs in third world nations. Aside from the huge human rights issues with clothing production done in this way, fast fashion also has a devastating effect on the world’s natural resources. Consider that it takes nearly 2,000 gallons of water to produce one pair of jeans. According to one UN report:

The fashion industry produces 20 per cent of global wastewater and 10 per cent of global carbon emissions – more than all international flights and maritime shipping. Textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of water globally and it takes around 2,000 gallons of water to make a typical pair of jeans.

United Nations: putting the breaks on fast fashion.

The Counterpunch: Reduce your clothing purchases

The good news is that you can contribute to slowing the pace of fast fashion by buying less clothes and buying clothes in biodegradable fabric like cotton, tencel or hemp. Before you hit ‘Buy Now’, ask yourself:

  • Do I need these new clothes or shoes or are the ones I own still OK?
  • Why do I want this item? Did I see an ad or see an influencer talking about this item and it made me want it?
  • Bookmark the page and then revisit the website in a week’s time. If you still want the item of clothing, then perhaps you should get it. Often we are held hostage by momentary urges that go away after a short period of time.
  • Am I feeling sad or frustrated or depressed? Is there something I am trying to escape by purchasing? Often we buy things to cheer ourselves up. This rarely works for more than a few hours, then you’re back to feeling sad again but with an emptier wallet.

A good place to start looking for fashion brands which may be sustainable is the B Corporation directory. You can filter your search to brands in a particular industry and part of the world.

Let me know what you think of these ideas, I hope you like them!

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Research: Palm Oil Deforestation and its connection to RSPO members/supermarket brands

The RSPO is a global certification scheme for palm oil that certifies palm oil as ‘sustainable’. Yet this word means absolutely nothing, as RSPO members – the biggest supermarket brands in the world: (Unilever, Nestle, Colgate-Palmolive, L’Oreal, Avon, Mars, Mondelez, Cargill, Danone and more) continue with illegal indigenous landgrabbing, deforestation, human rights abuses, slavery and violence on their palm oil plantations.

  • The World Health Organisation's Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil's impact on deforestation and animal extinction
    The World Health Organisation’s Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil’s impact on deforestation and animal extinction
  • WHO Bulletin on Palm Oil: Deforestation and Extinction
  • The World Health Organisation's Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil's impact on deforestation and animal extinction. RSPO board members are associated with companies involved in mass deforestation
    The World Health Organisation’s Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil’s impact on deforestation and animal extinction. RSPO board members are associated with companies involved in mass deforestation
  • The World Health Organisation's Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil's impact on deforestation and animal extinction. RSPO board members are associated with companies involved in mass deforestation
    The World Health Organisation’s Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil’s impact on deforestation and animal extinction. RSPO board members are associated with companies involved in mass deforestation
  • The World Health Organisation's Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil's impact on deforestation and animal extinction.
    The World Health Organisation’s Bulletin: Palm Oil Industry Lobbying and Greenwashing is Like Big Tobacco. Palm. oil’s impact on deforestation and animal extinction.
  • WHO Bulletin on Palm Oil: Deforestation and Extinction

Read research by @EIA_News @Greenpeace @AP @NZZ @Global_Witness @crresearch @FOEInt @ECCHRBerlin how the @RSPOtweets does not stop #deforestation and human rights abuses for #palmoil. Make sure you #BoycottPalmOil when you shop! @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/07/research-palm-oil-deforestation-and-its-connection-to-brands/

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This is why Palm Oil Detectives advocates for a full boycott on these global brands because of their palm oil corruption. Here is some collected peer-reviewed research, OSINT and investigative journalism about these issues.

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Burning Questions – Environmental Investigation Agency (2021)

Who Watches the Watchmen 2 – Environmental Investigation Agency (2019)

The RSPO: 14 Years of Failure – Friends of the Earth International (2014)

Destruction Certified – Greenpeace (2021)

Trading Risks ADM and Bunge – Global Witness (2021)

Keep the Forests Standing – Rainforest Action Network (2019)

License to Clear West Papua – Greenpeace 2021

FMCG’s Zero-Deforestation Challenges – Chain Reaction Research (2020)

Plantation Life Corporate Occupation in Indonesia’s Oil Palm Zone (2021)

Planet Palm – Jocelyn Zuckerman (2021)

Rethinking Dayak Identity – Dr Setia Budhi

Human Rights Fitness of the Auditing and Certification Industry – ECCHR (2021)

Is there such a thing as sustainable palm oil? – Neue Zürcher Zeitung (2021)

The True Price of Palm Oil – Global Witness (2021)

Research: Do certified sustainable palm oil plantations support more animal species?

Research: Does RSPO palm oil certification stop deforestation, human rights abuses, illegal land-grabbing and does it meet sustainability metrics?

The RSPO: 14 Years of Failure – An Open Letter from Friends of the Earth and 100 Human Rights NGOs (2014)

Which RSPO members continue to cause deforestation? – Mighty Earth (2021)

Which supermarket brands (RSPO members) cause deforestation, human rights abuses for palm oil? Palm Oil Detectives (2021)

Ecocide & Corruption Whistle-blowers on Twitter

Join the #Boycott4Wildlife

Say thanks by donating to my Ko-Fi

Investigative journalism, OSINT investigations into the RSPO and ‘sustainable’ palm oil

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Burning Questions – Credibility of sustainable palm oil still illusive - EIA
Burning Questions – Credibility of sustainable palm oil still illusive – Environmental Investigation Agency (2021)
Read report
Dying for a cookie: How Mondelez's Dirty Palm Oil is feeding the climate and extinction crisis by Greenpeace (2019)
Dying for a cookie: How Mondelez’s Dirty Palm Oil is feeding the climate and extinction crisis by Greenpeace (2019)
Read report
Who Watches the Watchmen Part 2: The continuing incompetence of the RSPO’s assurance systems (2019)
Read report
The RSPO: 14 Years of Failure by Friends of the Earth International and Co-signed by 100 Indigenous and Human Rights Organisations (2014)
The RSPO: 14 Years of Failure by Friends of the Earth International and Co-signed by 100 Indigenous and Human Rights Organisations (2014)
Read report
Destruction Certified by Greenpeace 2021
Destruction Certified by Greenpeace (2021)
Read report
Trading Risks ADM and Bunge and failing land and environmental rights defenders in Indonesia (2021)
Read report
Keep the Forests Standing: Exposing Brands and Banks Driving Deforestation. Rainforest Action Network (2021)
Keep the Forests Standing: Exposing the brands driving deforestation – RAN (2020)
Read report
License to Clear Dark Side of Permitting in West Papua by Greenpeace (2021)
License to Clear Dark Side of Permitting in West Papua by Greenpeace (2021)
Read report
FMCG’s Zero-Deforestation Challenges and Growing Exposure to Reputational Risk. Chain Reaction Research (2020)
Read report
Plantation Life Corporate Occupation in Indonesia's Oil Palm Zone (2021)
Plantation Life Corporate Occupation in Indonesia’s Oil Palm Zone (2021)
Read report
Planet Palm: How Palm Oil Ended Up In Everything and Endangered the World by Jocelyn Zuckerman (2021)
Planet Palm: How Palm Oil Ended Up In Everything and Endangered the World by Jocelyn Zuckerman (2021)
Read report
Rethinking Dayak Identity Dr Setia Budhi
Rethinking Dayak Identity Dr Setia Budhi
Read report
Read report
Adina Renner, Conradin Zellweger, Barnaby Skinner. ‘Is there such a thing as sustainable palm oil? Satellite images show protected rainforest on fire’. (May 2021) https://www.nzz.ch/english/palm-oil-boom-threatens-protected-rainforest-in-indonesia-ld.1625490
Adina Renner, Conradin Zellweger, Barnaby Skinner. ‘Is there such a thing as sustainable palm oil? Satellite images show protected rainforest on fire’. (May 2021) https://www.nzz.ch/english/palm-oil-boom-threatens-protected-rainforest-in-indonesia-ld.1625490
Read report
The True Price of Palm Oil: How global finance and household brands are fuelling deforestation, violence and human rights abuses in Papua New Guinea
The True Price of Palm Oil: How global finance and household brands are fuelling deforestation, violence and human rights abuses in Papua New Guinea
Read Report

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Research: Do certified sustainable palm oil plantations support more animal species?

Answer: NO

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Oil palm plantations support much fewer species than do forests and often also fewer than other tree crops. Further negative impacts include habitat fragmentation and pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions.

Emily B. Fitzherbert, Matthew J. Struebig, Alexandra Morel, Finn Danielsen, Carsten A. Brühl, Paul F. Donald, Ben Phalan, How will oil palm expansion affect biodiversity?,
Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Vol 23, 2008, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2008.06.012.

Currently certified grower supply bases and concessions in Sumatra and Borneo are located in large mammal’s habitat and in areas that were biodiverse tropical forests less than 30 years ago. We suggest that certification schemes claim for the “sustainable” production of palm oil just because they neglect a very recent past of deforestation and habitat degradation.

Roberto Cazzolla Gatti, Alena Velichevskaya, Certified “sustainable” palm oil took the place of endangered Bornean and Sumatran large mammals habitat and tropical forests in the last 30 years, Science of The Total Environment, Vol 742, 2020,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.140712.

We analyse consequences of the globally important land-use transformation from tropical forests to oil palm plantations. Species diversity, density and biomass of invertebrate communities suffer at least 45% decreases from rainforest to oil palm.

Barnes, A., Jochum, M., Mumme, S. et al. Consequences of tropical land use for multitrophic biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Nat Commun 5, 5351 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms6351

We found that certified plantation concessions that are committed to deforestation-free production are limited in their ability to prevent further biodiversity loss, due to the past conversion of forest habitats to plantations. Concession holders can improve forest habitats through corridor development and other measures, which would mitigate, but not prevent, further biodiversity loss.

Hideyuki Kubo, Arief Darmawan, Hendarto, André Derek Mader,
The effect of agricultural certification schemes on biodiversity loss in the tropics,
Biological Conservation, Volume 261, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2021.109243.
"Dayak family, Central Kalimantan" by IndoMet in the Heart of Borneo is licensed under CC BY 2.0

Research: Does RSPO palm oil certification stop deforestation, human rights abuses, illegal land-grabbing and does it meet sustainability metrics?

Answer: NO

Ans

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Chain Reaction Research

February 2021

2020’s Top Deforesters for Oil Palm in Southeast Asia: A Lower Rate of Deforestation, but the Same Culprits

Read report

We find positive effects on prices and income from sale of certified products. However, we find no change in overall household income and assets for workers. The wages for workers are not higher in certified production.

Oya, C., Schaefer, F. & Skalidou, D. The effectiveness of agricultural certification in developing countries: a systematic review. World Dev. 112, 282–312 (2018).

There was no significant difference was found between certified and non-certified plantations for any of the sustainability metrics investigated, however positive economic trends including greater fresh fruit bunch yields were revealed. To achieve intended outcomes, RSPO principles and criteria are in need of substantial improvement and rigorous enforcement.

Morgans, C. L. et al. Evaluating the effectiveness of palm oil certification in delivering multiple sustainability objectives. Environ. Res. Lett. 13, 064032, 2018.

This article argues that the form of sustainability offered by certification schemes such as the RSPO fetishes the commodity palm oil in order to assuage critical consumer initiatives in the North. This technical-managerial solution is part of a larger project: the “post-political” climate politics regime (Swyngedouw) that attempts to “green” the status quo.

Commodifying sustainability: Development, nature and politics in the palm oil industry (2019) World Development
Volume 121, September 2019, Pages 218-228
  • The palm oil industry is neither sustainable nor a viable development model.
  • Certification represents a technical fix which neglects underlying dynamics of power, class, gender and accumulation.
  • The fetishised commodity ‘certified sustainable palm oil’ has no impact on the regional scale of expansion.
  • Working conditions in the plantations and mills entrench social inequality and poverty.

From: Commodifying sustainability: Development, nature and politics in the palm oil industry (2019) World Development
Volume 121, September 2019, Pages 218-228

“Both Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) schemes are failing to ensure that palm oil is being produced and traded legally, let alone sustainably. They cannot be relied upon by overseas consumers concerned about their role in the global chain that leads to deforestation.”

Deceased Estate: Illegal palm oil wiping out Indonesia’s national forest, Greenpeace Indonesia, Oct 2021
Read report
Deceased Estate: Illegal palm oil wiping out Indonesia’s national forest, Greenpeace Indonesia, Oct 2021
Deceased Estate: Illegal palm oil wiping out Indonesia’s national forest, Greenpeace Indonesia, Oct 2021
Brands using deforestation palm oil

No significant difference was found between certified and non-certified plantations for any of the sustainability metrics investigated, however positive economic trends including greater fresh fruit bunch yields were revealed. To achieve intended outcomes, RSPO principles and criteria are in need of substantial improvement and rigorous enforcement.

Evaluating the effectiveness of palm oil certification in delivering multiple sustainability objectives. (2018), Morgans, C. L. et al. Environ. Res. Lett. 13, 064032.

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Deforestation in West Papua

RSPO: 14 years of failure to eliminate violence and destruction from the industrial palm oil sector

Friends of the Earth and 100 other human rights and environmental NGOS co-signed this letter in 2018

Read original letter

Letter

During its 14 years of existence, RSPO – the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil – has failed to live up to its claim of “transforming” the industrial palm oil production sector into a so-called “sustainable” one. In reality, the RSPO has been used by the palm oil industry to greenwash corporate destruction and human rights abuses, while it continues to expand business, forest destruction and profits.

RSPO presents itself to the public with the slogan “transforming the markets to make sustainable palm oil the norm”. Palm oil has become the cheapest vegetable oil available on the global market, making it a popular choice among the group that dominates RSPO membership, big palm oil buyers.

They will do everything to secure a steady flow of cheap palm oil. They also know that the key to the corporate success story of producing “cheap” palm oil is a particular model of industrial production, with ever-increasing efficiency and productivity which in turn is achieved by:

  1. Planting on a large-scale and in monoculture, frequently through conversion of tropical biodiverse forests
  2. Using “high yielding” seedlings that demand large amounts of agrotoxics and abundant water.
  3. Squeezing cheap labour out of the smallest possible work force, employed in precarious conditions so that company costs are cut to a minimum
  4. Making significant up-front money from the tropical timber extracted from concessions, which is then used to finance plantation development or increase corporate profits.
  5. Grabbing land violently from local communities or by means of other arrangements with governments (including favourable tax regimes) to access land at the lowest possible cost.

Those living on the fertile land that the corporations choose to apply their industrial palm oil production model, pay a very high price.

Violence is intrinsic to this model:

  • violence and repression when communities resist the corporate take over of their land because they know that once their land is turned into monoculture oil palm plantations, their livelihoods will be destroyed, their land and forests invaded. In countless cases, deforestation caused by the expansion of this industry, has displaced communities or destroyed community livelihoods where
  • companies violate customary rights and take control of community land;
  • sexual violence and harassment against women in and around the plantations which often stays invisible because women find themselves without possibilities to demand that the perpetrators be prosecuted;
  • Child labour and precarious working conditions that go hand-in-hand with violation of workers’ rights;
  • working conditions can even be so bad as to amount to contemporary forms of slavery. This exploitative model of work grants companies more economic profits while allowing palm oil to remain a cheap product. That is why, neither them or their shareholders do anything to stop it.
  • exposure of workers, entire communities and forests, rivers, water springs, agricultural land and soils to the excessive application of agrotoxics;
  • depriving communities surrounded by industrial oil palm plantations of their food sovereignty when industrial oil palm plantations occupy land that communities need to grow food crops.

RSPO’s proclaimed vision of transforming the industrial oil palm sector is doomed to fail because the Roundtable’s certification principles promote this structural violent and destructive model.

The RSPO also fails to address the industry’s reliance on exclusive control of large and contingent areas of fertile land, as well as the industry’s growth paradigm which demands a continued expansion of corporate control over community land and violent land grabs.

None of RPSO’s eight certification principles suggests transforming this industry reliance on exclusive control over vast areas of land or the growth paradigm inherent to the model.


Industrial use of vegetable oils has doubled in the past 15 years, with palm oil being the cheapest. This massive increase of palm oil use in part explains the current expansion of industrial oil palm plantations, especially in Africa and Latin America, from the year 2000 onward, in addition to the existing vast plantations areas in Malaysia and Indonesia that also continue expanding.


On the ground, countless examples show that industrial oil palm plantations continue to be synonymous to violence and destruction for communities and forests. Communities’ experiences in the new industrial oil palm plantation frontiers, such as Gabon, Nigeria, Cameroon, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Peru, Honduras, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, are similar to past and ongoing community experiences in Indonesia and Malaysia.

RSPO creates a smokescreen that makes this violence invisible for consumers and financiers. Governments often fail to take regulatory action to stop the expansion of plantations and increasing demand of palm oil; they rely on RSPO to deliver an apparently sustainable flow of palm oil.

For example, in its public propaganda, RSPO claims it supports more than 100,000 small holders. But the profit from palm oil production is still disproportionally appropriated by the oil palm companies: in 2016, 88% of all certified palm oil came from corporate plantations and 99,6% of the production is corporate-controlled.


RSPO also claims that the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is key among its own Principles and Criteria. The right to FPIC implies, among others, that if a community denies the establishment of this monoculture in its territory, operations cannot be carried out. Reality shows us, however, that despite this, many projects go ahead.

Concessions are often guaranteed long before the company reaches out to the affected communities. Under these circumstances, to say that FPIC is central to RSPO is bluntly false and disrespectful.

RSPO also argues that where conflicts with the plantation companies arise, communities can always use its complaint mechanism. However, the mechanism is complex and it rarely solves the problems that communities face and want to resolve.

This becomes particularly apparent in relation to land legacy conflicts where the mechanism is biased against communities. It allows companies to continue exploiting community land until courts have come to a decision. This approach encourages companies to sit out such conflicts and count on court proceedings dragging on, often over decades.


Another argument used by RSPO is that industrial oil palm plantations have lifted millions of people out of poverty. That claim is certainly questionable, even more so considering that there is also an important number of people who have been displaced over the past decades to make space for plantations.

Indigenous communities have in fact lost their fertile land, forests and rivers to oil palm plantations, adversely affecting their food, culture and local economies.


The RSPO promise of “transformation” has turned into a powerful greenwashing tool for corporations in the palm oil industry. RSPO grants this industry, which remains responsible for violent land grabbing, environmental destruction, pollution through excessive use of agrotoxics and destruction of peasant and indigenous livelihoods, a “sustainable” image.

What’s more, RSPO membership seems to suffice for investors and companies to be able to claim that they are “responsible” actors. This greenwash is particularly stunning, since being a member does not guarantee much change on the ground. Only recently, a company became RSPO member after it was found to deforest over 27.000 hectares of rainforest in Papua, Indonesia.


Certification is structurally dependent on the very same policies and regulation that have given rise to the host of environmental devastation and community land rights violations associated with oil palm plantations. These systemic governance issues are part of the destructive economic model, and embedded in state power.

For this reason, voluntary certification schemes cannot provide adequate protection for forests, community rights, food sovereignty and guarantee sustainability. Governments and financiers need to take responsibility to stop the destructive palm oil expansion that violates the rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples.

As immediate steps, governments need to:

  • Put in place a moratorium on palm oil plantations expansion and use that as a breathing space to fix the policy frameworks;
  • Drastically reduce demand for palm oil: stop using food for fuel;
  • Strengthen and respect the rights of local communities and Indigenous Peoples to amongst others, self-determination and territorial control.
  • Promote agro-ecology and community control of their forests, which strengthens local incomes, livelihoods and food sovereignty, instead of advancing industrial agro-businesses.

Signatures

  • Aalamaram-NGOAcción Ecológica, Ecuador
  • ActionAid, France
  • AGAPAN
    Amics arbres
  • Arbres amics
  • Amis de la Terre France
  • ARAARBA (Asociación para la Recuperación del Bosque Autóctono)
  • Asociación Conservacionista YISKI, Costa Rica
    Asociación Gaia El Salvador
  • Association Congo Actif, Paris
  • Association Les Gens du Partage, Carrières-sous-Poissy
  • Association pour le développement des aires protégées, Swizterland
  • BASE IS
  • Bézu St Eloi
  • Boxberg OT Uhyst
  • Bread for all
  • Bruno Manser Fund
  • CADDECAE, Ecuador
  • Campaign to STOP GE Trees
  • CAP, Center for Advocacy Practices
  • Centar za životnu sredinu/ Friends of the Earth Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • CESTA – FOE El Salvador
  • CETRI – Centre tricontinental
  • Climate Change Kenya
  • Coalición de Tendencia Clasista. (CTC-VZLA)
  • Colectivo de Investigación y Acompañmiento Comunitario
  • Collectif pour la défense des terres malgaches – TANY, Madagascar
  • Community Forest Watch, Nigeria
  • Consumers Association of Penang
  • Corporate Europe Observatory
  • Cuttington University
  • Down to Earth Consult
  • El Campello
  • Environmental Resources Management and Social Issue Centre (ERMSIC) Cameroon
  • Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria
  • FASE ES , Brazil
  • Fédération romande des consommateurs
  • FENEV, (Femmes Environnement nature Entrepreneuriat Vert).
  • Focus on the Global South
  • Forum Ökologie & Papier, Germany
  • Friends of the Earth Ghana
  • Friends of the Earth International
  • GE Free NZ, New Zealand
  • Global Alliance against REDD
  • Global Justice Ecology Project
  • Global Info
  • Gobierno Territorial Autónomo de la Nación Wampís , Peru
  • GRAIN
  • Green Development Advocates (GDA)
  • CameroonGreystones, Ireland
  • Groupe International de Travail pour les Peuples Autochtones
    Grupo ETC
  • Grupo Guayubira, Uruguay
  • Instituto Mexicano de Gobernanza Medioambiental AC Instituto Mexicano de Gobernanza Medioambiental AC
  • Integrated Program for the Development of the Pygmy People (PIDP), DRC
  • Justica Ambiental
  • Justicia Paz e Integridad de la Creacion. Costa Rica
  • Kempityari
  • Latin Ambiente, http://www.latinambiente.org
  • Les gens du partage
  • LOYOLA SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY, MANILA
  • Maderas del Pueblo del Sureste, AC
  • Maiouri nature, Guyane
  • Mangrove Action Project
  • Milieudefensie – Friends of the Earth Netherlands
  • Movimento Amigos da Rua Gonçalo de Carvalho
  • Muyissi Environnement, Gabon
  • Nature-d-congo de la République du Congo
  • New Wind Association from Finland
  • NOAH-Friends of the Earth Denmark
  • Oakland Institute
  • OFRANEH, Honduras
  • Ole Siosiomaga Society Incorporated (OLSSI)
  • ONG OCEAN : Organisation Congolaise des Ecologistes et Amis de la Nature et sommes basés en RD Congo.
  • OPIROMA, Brazil
  • Otros Mundos A.C./Amigos de la Tierra México
  • Paramo Guerrrero Zipaquira
  • PROYECTO GRAN SIMIO (GAP/PGS-España)
  • Quercus – ANCN, Portugal
  • Radd (Reseau des Acteurs du Développement Durable) , Cameroon
  • Rainforest Foundation UK
  • Rainforest Relief
  • ReAct – Alliances Transnationales
  • RECOMA – Red latinoamericana contra los monocultivos de árboles
  • Red de Coordinacion en Biodiversidad , Çosta Rica
  • REFEB-Cote d’Ivoire
  • Rettet den Regenwald, Germany
  • ROBIN WOOD
  • Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Friends of the Earth Malaysia)
  • Salva la Selva
  • School of Democratic Economics, Indonesia
  • Serendipalm Company Limited
  • Sherpa , The Netherlands
  • SYNAPARCAM, Cameroon
  • The Corner House, UK
    Towards Equitable Sustainable Holistic Development
  • TRAFFED KIVU ,RD. CONGOUNIÓN UNIVERSAL DESARROLLO SOLIDARIO
    University of Sussex, UK
  • UTB ColombiaWatch Indonesia!
  • WESSA
    World Rainforest Movement
  • Youth Volunteers for the Environment Ghana

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Which RSPO members continue to cause deforestation?

Have a look at these quarterly and at-a-glance reports by Mighty Earth, they show the RSPO members (palm oil manfacturers, traders, processors and retail brands) at the centre of deforestation. Click on image to go to most recent report. This information below is a stark contrast to the greenwashing WWF Palm Oil Scorecard, which allocates many of these same brands with a ‘green’ and ‘sustainable’ label and encourages people to buy from them! We call out this form of greenwashing and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife!

Mighty Earth's Rapid Response Quarterly Reports on palm oil deforestation by all major RSPO members - quarterly reports
Mighty Earth's Rapid Response Quarterly Reports on palm oil deforestation by all major RSPO members - quarterly reports
View the Palm Oil Tracker
View the latest Rapid Response Report

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Retailers and banks at the heart of palm oil deforestation

Source: Rainforest Action Network (RAN)’s March 2020 Whitepaper

Greenpeace:

The True Cost of Palm Oil & Wood Pulp (2019)

Click to access greenpeace-palm-oil-and-wood-pulp-2019.pdf

Read report

Greenpeace

How Unilever and other global brands continue to fuel Indonesia’s fires (2019)

Click to access mondelez-nestle-p-and-g-unilever-bad.pdf

Read report

Chain Reaction Research

Loopholes in the palm oil supply chain allow RSPO members to continue to destroy forests with fire July 2020

Chain Reaction Research

Retailers and FMCG Giants do not take deforestation seriously enough to warrant change (2020)

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Research: Palm Oil Deforestation and its connection to retail brands

Which brands cause deforestation, human rights abuses for palm oil?

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Ecocide & Corruption Whistle-blowers on Twitter

With so much misinformation, greenwashing and BS out there. It is difficult to know who is telling the truth.

Here’s a list of NGOS, individuals and media outlets you can trust for clear information that exposes the corruption going on around so-called ‘sustainable’ palm oil, deforestation and many other issues.

Also these media outlets, individuals and NGOs regularly cover other topics like deforestation for soy, meat, gold, timber, cocoa, coffee and other commodities. They also expose corruption, abuse, violence and death of indigenous people, land grabs etc and how this links to global companies.

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There are now literally thousands of people who are a passionate supporters and activists in the #Boycott4Wildlife – This list is not ignoring these people, you are all amazing people and the contribution you are making is very important!. However this list here focuses on people or NGOs who publish and produce news, research, books, photojournalism, podcasts or TV documentaries. So that everyone else knows who to listen to in the gigantic social media cacophony.

@AP

@amazonwatch

@AuroraGroupScot

@BarbaraNavarro

@BennyWenda

@BentalaRakyat

@bmfonds

@Cen4infoRes

@Cleve_Hicks

@CorpJusticeUK

@craigjones17

@crresearch

@degrowth_info

@drbirute

@earthsight

@EcocideLaw

@ECCHRBerlin

@EIA_News

Farm Land Grab (website)

@FOEInt

@Forests_Finance

@FreeWestPapua

@fnierula

@ForensicArchi

@geckoproj

@Global_Witness

@GRAIN_org

@greenpeaceUK

@GreenwashEarth

@georgecmcgavin

@GlobalCanopy

@HRW

@IfNotUs_ThenWho

@IllicitFlows

@INTERPOL_EC

@IsabellaGuerrin

@joceylnzuck

@KlausRiede

@LandConflicts

@macarangatweets

@merdeka_wp

@mongabay

@NZZ

@OFIOffice

@OCCRP

@Rainforest_RIN

@RichardSsuna

@robertocgatti

@sarawak_report

@StandMighty

@SteadyStateEcon

@StopEcocideNL

@sumofus

@the_ecologist

@TuK_Indonesia

@TruthinAd

@TraseEarth

@RettetRegenwald

@RainforestResq

@RainforestNORW

@UE

@wpinvestigates

@VeronicaKoman

@YaleE360

@WorldRainforest

@WinnieCheche

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Use your wallet as a weapon and boycott the brands destroying rainforests for palm oil! It’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Join the Boycott4Wildlife

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Palm Oil Detectives is 100% self-funded

Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.

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Dorias Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus dorianus
Giant Ground Pangolin Manis gigantea
Borneo Pygmy Elephant Elephas maximus borneensis
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

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Eastern Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock leuconedys

Eastern Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock leuconedys

Vulnerable

Extant (resident): Myanmar

Presence Uncertain: India

The Hoolock Gibbons are three species located in South Central Asia. They are the second largest of the gibbons after the Siamang. They have rings around their eyes and mouths giving them a mask-like appearance. Like other gibbon species they call to each other in regionalised accents, have long swinging arms and superior acrobatic skills.

Eastern Hoolock Gibbons are #vulnerable on @IUCNredlist due to #deforestation for #meat #agriculture #pollution and #hunting in #Myanmar and #India. You can support them in the supermarket #Boycott4Wildlife

The Eastern Hoolock Gibbon is a forest-dweller that inhabits primary evergreen, scrub and semi-deciduous hill forest, as well as mountainous broadleaf and pine-dominated forest. They range up to 2,700 m in elevation, (Kumar et al. 2013, Zhang et al. 2014) in mixed pine/broadleaf forest in northeastern Myanmar (Geissmann et al. 2013, Ujhelyi et al. 2000).

These gibbons are listed as Vulnerable because it is suspected that the population will decline by more than 30% over the next three generations (approximately 45 years), based on continued habitat loss and hunting throughout its range (Fan et al. 2011a, 2011b; Kumar et al. 2013).

IUCN Red LIst
Eastern Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock leuconedys

The Eastern Hoolock Gibbon is a frugivorous species, with ripe fruits composing a majority of its diet. Individuals also eat a large proportion of figs and some amount of leaves, shoots, and petioles.

How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd

How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd
How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd

These gibbons ranges up to 2,700 m in elevation, (Kumar et al. 2013, Zhang et al. 2014) in mixed pine/broadleaf forest in northeastern Myanmar (Geissmann et al. 2013, Ujhelyi et al. 2000). Eastern Hoolocks Gibbons are threatened by habitat loss and hunting, both for meat as well as for use in traditional “medicine” (Fan et al. 2011a, Geissmann et al. 2013). In Myanmar, commercial logging may eliminate most forest habitats outside of protected areas, but in and around Mahamyiang Sanctuary, selectively logged forests (with dipterocarps removed) still contain many gibbons (Geissmann et al. 2013).

Support the conservation of this species

WCS Myanmar

Further Information

IUCN Rating vulnerable

Brockelman, W & Geissmann, T. 2019. Hoolock leuconedys. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T118355453A17968300. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T118355453A17968300.en. Downloaded on 06 February 2021.

Sustain Round Glass: Hoolock Gibbons

Eastern Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock leuconedys

Eastern Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock leuconedys

Contribute to palm oil detectives - black rhino in profile

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Western Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock hoolock

Western Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock hoolock

Endangered

Bangladesh, India, Myanmar

Existence uncertain: China

Energetic and social Western Hoolock Gibbons live in India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. Known for their close-knit families and melodious singing, they are endangered from palm oil deforestation, timber deforestation, human persecution and illegal poaching. Help them every time you shop by boycotting palm oil in the supermarket. #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Western Hoolock #Gibbons 🤎🐒 are the only ape species in #India 🇮🇳 Once also found in #China they are threatened by #meat #deforestation. Take action when you shop – be #vegan 🥦🍅🍆 and #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/western-hoolock-gibbon-hoolock-hoolock/

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Western Hoolock #Gibbons 🤎🐒 sing a sweet serenade 🎶 in #Indian #forests 🇮🇳 They are threatened by #meat and #palmoil #deforestation. Take action when you shop – be #vegan 🥜🥔🥕 #BoycottPalmOil 🌴☠️⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/western-hoolock-gibbon-hoolock-hoolock/

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The Hoolock Gibbons are three species located in South Central Asia. They are the second largest of the gibbons after the Siamang. They have rings around their eyes and mouths giving them a mask-like appearance. Like other gibbon species they call to each other in regionalised accents, have long swinging arms and superior acrobatic skills.

The Western Hoolock Gibbon is a forest-dweller that, depending on its locale, inhabits tropical evergreen rainforests, tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, tropical mixed deciduous forests, and subtropical broadleaf hill forests. It has also been noted in bamboo “brakes” and hollock (Terminalia myriocarpa) and ajhar (Largerstroemia flosreginae) plantations. One gibbon pair in the Borajan Reserved Forest (north-east India) was observed to habitually descend from the trees to move over scrub and short bamboo especially while trying to reach the isolated food trees inside a village. This pair was found sleeping at heights of 0 m or less in bamboo clumps (Kakati 1997).

Round Glass Sustain

Although gibbons may be moving through, or sleeping in, bamboo forest or plantations, they cannot survive in monocultures such as palm oil (W. Brockleman pers. comm.)

IUCN Red List

The Western Hoolock Gibbon remains Endangered, based upon a suspected population reduction of at least 50% over the period of three generations (2001-2015, 2016-2030 and 2031-2045), based on ongoing and significant levels of forest loss in Bangladesh, northeastern India and Myanmar, combined with ongoing and similarly significant levels of subsistence hunting and live capture for the pet trade throughout the species’ range.

Affecting all northeastern Indian primate populations are harvesting of bamboo for paper mills, oil mining and exploration, and coal mining, which deplete habitat and cause pollution and disturbance (Choudhury 1991). Habitat fragmentation and loss are major threats in India (Kakati 2000).

IUCN Red List

How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd

How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd
How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd

Support the conservation of this species

WCS Myanmar

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Brockelman, W, Molur, S. & Geissmann, T. 2019. Hoolock hoolock. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T39876A17968083. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T39876A17968083.en. Downloaded on 06 February 2021.

Sustain Round Glass: Hoolock Gibbons

Western Hoolock Gibbon - Palm oil is a recipe for disaster in India
Contribute to palm oil detectives - black rhino in profile

How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

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Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing

Location: Eastern Myanmar and southwestern China, particularly the Gaoligong Mountains

IUCN Status: Endangered

High in the treetops of Myanmar and China’s remote montane forests, the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon swings effortlessly through the canopy, moving with near-weightless grace. These rare, tree-dwelling primates were only officially described in 2017, making them one of the most recently discovered gibbon species. With fewer than 150 individuals confirmed in the wild, they are now among the world’s most endangered gibbons, clinging to existence in increasingly fragmented forests.

Despite their elusive nature, their presence is unmistakable—their piercing songs echo at dawn, carrying for over a kilometre through the jungle. But in many places, these songs have fallen silent, drowned out by the sounds of logging, mining, and hunting. Their delicate grip on survival is under immense pressure from habitat destruction, poaching, and the relentless expansion of agriculture. Help them by campaigning for their survival #Boycott4Wildlife.

High in #China 🇨🇳 and #Myanmar’s 🇲🇲 trees live melodic long-limbed bards of the jungle. Skywalker Hoolock #Gibbons 🙉🐵🐒 got their name from #StarWars 🛸🌌 but Skywalker also translates to ‘Heaven’s Movement’ in Chinese. Help them and #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/skywalker-hoolock-gibbon-hoolock-tianxing/

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Just a few dozen beautiful and elegant Skywalker #Gibbons 🐵🐒remain alive in the vulnerable forests of #Myanmar 🇲🇲and southern #China 🇨🇳 Threats include cardamom #deforestation 🥜🔥 #poaching and #climatechange. Help them survive #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/skywalker-hoolock-gibbon-hoolock-tianxing/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are strikingly beautiful primates, with graceful, elongated limbs and expressive, intelligent eyes. Their fur varies from black to dark brown, with a large beard that can be either black or brown, unlike their closest relatives, the Eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys), which have white beards. One of their most distinctive features is their white eyebrows, which are thinner and more widely spaced than those of other hoolock gibbons.

Males and females are sexually dimorphic. Males have dark brown fur with a slight brownish overlay, while females are yellowish or reddish-blonde, with incomplete white facial rings. Younger gibbons lack the white fur under their eyes and chin, making them easier to distinguish.

These gibbons are arboreal specialists, spending their entire lives in the trees. They travel through the forest canopy using brachiation, swinging between branches with their long arms at breathtaking speed. On the ground, they are awkward and vulnerable, avoiding descent unless absolutely necessary.

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing threats
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing

Skywalker hoolock gibbons are highly social and monogamous, forming lifelong pairs. Their strong bonds are reinforced through duet calls—long, melodious songs that mated pairs perform together at dawn. These calls serve as territorial markers and as a way to maintain their connection. However, in some areas, researchers have observed gibbons going silent for weeks after hearing gunfire, an eerie reminder of the threats they face.

Geographic Range

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are found in the dense montane forests of eastern Myanmar and southwestern China, particularly in the Gaoligong Mountains. Initially, scientists believed their population was limited to small, fragmented groups in China. However, a groundbreaking study in 2024 confirmed that Myanmar is home to the largest known population of these elusive primates.

Using a combination of acoustic monitoring and DNA analysis, researchers were able to identify 44 previously unknown Skywalker gibbon groups in Myanmar. This discovery significantly expands their known range and offers new hope for their conservation.

Despite this positive news, over 90% of their range remains unprotected, leaving them highly vulnerable to habitat destruction. In Myanmar, their forest home is shrinking due to illegal logging, mining, and agricultural expansion, forcing them into smaller and more isolated populations.

Diet

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are primarily frugivorous, meaning that fruit makes up the majority of their diet (around 49%). However, when fruit is scarce, they also consume leaves, buds, flowers, and even small invertebrates or bird chicks. Their diet shifts with the seasons, with ripe fruit being the most sought-after food source.

They play a crucial role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers, ensuring the health and regeneration of the forests they inhabit. Without them, the delicate balance of their habitat would begin to unravel.

Reproduction and Mating

Mating among Skywalker hoolock gibbons is a complex social ritual. Females initiate courtship, presenting themselves to males, who respond by approaching them in an elaborate display of mutual trust. Once bonded, these pairs remain together for life, raising one offspring at a time.

The gestation period lasts around 7 months, after which a single helpless, pink-skinned infant is born. The mother provides constant care and protection, carrying the baby clinging to her fur for the first several months of life. Juveniles remain dependent on their parents for up to 8 years before reaching sexual maturity.

Due to their slow reproductive rate, any decline in population is devastating. If adult gibbons are killed, the loss is felt for generations, pushing their already fragile numbers closer to extinction.

Threats

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons face a critical battle for survival, with their population declining due to multiple human-driven threats.

In Myanmar, the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon remains threatened by habitat loss due largely to slash-and-burn agriculture, gold mining and logging, and secondarily by hunting for food and medicinal purposes (Ni et al. 2018). Unfortunately, the species is not known to occur in any protected areas in this country.

IUCN Red List

Habitat Destruction and Deforestation

• Myanmar and China’s forests are rapidly disappearing due to commercial logging, mining, and slash-and-burn agriculture.

• Over 90% of their range remains unprotected, making them highly vulnerable to deforestation.

• In Myanmar, forest loss has accelerated since 2000, with up to 9% of their habitat disappearing in key areas.

As trees fall, gibbons lose their homes, their food sources, and their ability to move safely through the forest canopy.

Agricultural Expansion and Cardamom Plantations

• Large swathes of forest are being cleared for cardamom plantations, particularly in China.

• While some gibbons have adapted to agroforestry environments, heavy fragmentation of these habitats isolates populations, preventing gene flow and increasing the risk of inbreeding.

Hunting and the Illegal Wildlife Trade

• In Myanmar, hoolock gibbons are hunted for food and traditional Chinese medicine, with the false belief that consuming their brains can cure epilepsy.

• They are poached for the illegal pet trade, with babies being torn from their mothers, who are often killed in the process.

• Even when not actively hunted, gibbons are often shot by miners and loggers as they are seen as “noisy disturbances.”

Climate Change and Habitat Fragmentation

• Warming temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change are altering the availability of food sources, forcing gibbons into competition with one another.

• Fragmentation of forests forces gibbons to travel across open ground, making them highly vulnerable to predators and human threats.

FAQS

How many Skywalker hoolock gibbons are left?

Fewer than 150 individuals have been confirmed in the wild. However, new research suggests their numbers may be slightly higher in Myanmar, though they remain endangered.

Where do Skywalker hoolock gibbons live?

They are found in eastern Myanmar and southwestern China, particularly in the Gaoligong Mountains and areas between the Salween and Irrawaddy Rivers.

What do Skywalker hoolock gibbons eat?

Their diet is primarily fruit, but they also consume leaves, buds, flowers, insects, and bird chicks when plant sources are limited.

How do Skywalker hoolock gibbons communicate?

They perform loud, melodic duet songs at dawn, which serve to mark territory and strengthen bonds between mated pairs.

Why are they called ‘Skywalker’ hoolock gibbons?

They were named by researchers who are Star Wars fans, inspired by their graceful movement through the treetops and the Chinese translation of their name, which means ‘heaven’s movement’.

Are Skywalker hoolock gibbons endangered?

Yes, they are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their population is small and highly fragmented, with habitat loss being the greatest threat to their survival.

Can Skywalker hoolock gibbons be kept as pets?

No. Keeping a gibbon as a pet is illegal, immoral and cruel. Many gibbons in the pet trade are illegally captured from the wild, often involving the killing of their family members.

Take Action

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are on the brink of extinction, but you can help ensure their survival. The biggest threats to these rare primates come from deforestation, illegal hunting, and the expansion of agriculture such as cardamom plantations. Protecting them means taking action against habitat destruction and the wildlife trade.

• Boycott palm oil, cardamom, and other crops linked to deforestation. The destruction of their habitat is directly linked to agriculture and logging. Every time you shop, choose products that are 100% palm oil-free to avoid contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss.

• Support Indigenous-led conservation efforts. More than 90% of their habitat is unprotected. Local indigenous communities play a crucial role in protecting their forests from destruction. Donate to or amplify the work of organisations that empower Indigenous and local communities to safeguard forests.

• Demand stronger wildlife protection laws. Gibbons are hunted for food and traditional medicine, and the illegal pet trade remains a major threat. Contact policymakers and demand harsher penalties for those who exploit endangered species.

• Spread awareness. Many people have never heard of the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon or the threats they face. Share their story on social media using #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan and encourage others to take action.

Without urgent intervention, these rare gibbons could be lost forever. Every action counts—speak up, make ethical choices, and help protect their rainforest home before it’s too late.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Cowan, C. (2024). Skywalker gibbons confirmed in Myanmar for the first time. Mongabay. https://news.mongabay.com/2024/02/skywalker-gibbons-confirmed-in-myanmar-for-the-first-time/

Fan, P.F., Turvey, S.T. & Bryant, J.V. 2020. Hoolock tianxing (amended version of 2019 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T118355648A166597159. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T118355648A166597159.en. Downloaded on 06 February 2021.

Wikipedia Contributors. (n.d.). Skywalker hoolock gibbon. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skywalker_hoolock_gibbon

How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd

How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd
How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing

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Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii

Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii

Endangered

Locations: Endemic to the Mentawai Islands off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia

The Kloss’s gibbon Hylobates klossii, also known as the dwarf siamang, Mentawai gibbon or bilou by locals, is a small, agile primate with dark smoky grey fur and an ethereal song that resonates and echoes throughout the forests of the Mentawai Islands. These gibbons are known for their intricate vocalisations, with both males and females producing unique solo songs. Their haunting melodies play an essential role in marking territory and strengthening social bonds.

Classified as Endangered by the IUCN, Kloss’s gibbons face a relentless barrage of threats, including habitat destruction for logging and palm oil plantations, poaching for the illegal pet trade, and human encroachment. With populations declining by 50% in the past 45 years, immediate action is needed to save this unique species. Fight for their survival with indigenous-led conservation efforts and use your wallet as a weapon—boycott palm oil and support agroecology. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Smoky coloured Kloss’s #Gibbons 🐵🐒🤎 are the forgotten species of #gibbon nobody has heard of. #Endangered on #Mentawai islands of #Indonesia 🇮🇩 they barely hang on due to #palmoil #deforestation #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔☠️⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/klosss-gibbon-hylobates-klossii/

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One of the smallest gibbons has the most spectacular song. Kloss’s #Gibbon male and females perform solos for each other 🐒🎶🎵 Sadly #endangered on #Mentawai #Indonesia 🇮🇩 due to #palmoil. Help them to survive! #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🤮⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/klosss-gibbon-hylobates-klossii/

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This species is threatened mainly by hunting and commercial logging (Whittaker 2006). It is also threatened by conversion to oil palm plantations, in addition to forest clearing and product extraction by local people (Whittaker 2006).

IUCN Red List
Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii
Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii with an open wide mouth calling
Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii sitting in a tree
Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii threats
Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii boycott palm oil!
Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii

Appearance and Behaviour

Kloss’s gibbons are small, agile primates with slender bodies covered in dense smoky grey or black fur, which provides camouflage in the shadows of the tropical forests. They weigh between 4–7 kg and measure 44–63 cm in length, making them one of the smallest gibbons. Unlike other gibbon species, they lack facial markings, adding to their striking appearance.

The Kloss’s Gibbon belongs to the genus Hylobates meaning ‘Forest Walker’ in Greek. They are known to communicate in species-specific song when defining territory or attracting mates. They sing in regional accents to each other, have long swinging arms, inquisitive natures and superior acrobatic skills, they spend most of their lives high up in the tree-tops.

Known for their arboreal lifestyle, Kloss’s gibbons use their long arms to effortlessly swing between trees, a movement called brachiation. They are diurnal, spending their days foraging for fruit, young leaves, flowers, and occasionally insects. Their territorial vocalisations are among the most complex in the animal kingdom, with males and females performing distinct solo songs featuring trills, rising notes, and intricate phrasing.

Threats

Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii threats

IUCN Status: Endangered

Palm oil and timber deforestation: Habitat loss for commercial logging, palm oil plantations, and agriculture has devastated the Mentawai Islands. Forest clearing not only removes their primary habitat but also fragments populations, isolating groups and increasing vulnerability.

Road building: Logging roads further disrupt habitats, allowing access for poachers and illegal traders.

Hunting and the Illegal Pet Trade: Kloss’s gibbons are frequently targeted for bushmeat and the pet trade. Poachers often kill adult gibbons to capture their infants, which are sold as exotic pets.

Climate Change: Rising temperatures and changing rainfall patterns due to climate change threaten the delicate ecosystems of the Mentawai Islands, further endangering the gibbons’ already restricted range.

Population Decline: The population of Kloss’s gibbons has decreased by 50% over the past 45 years, and fewer than 25,000 individuals remain. Without urgent conservation efforts, their numbers will continue to plummet.

Geographic Range

Kloss’s gibbons are endemic to the Mentawai Islands, including Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai, and South Pagai, off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. They inhabit lowland and montane rainforests, preferring dense canopy cover to protect against predators and provide ample food sources. However, logging and agricultural expansion for palm oil have severely reduced and fragmented their habitat, confining them to smaller, isolated patches.

Diet

These gibbons are primarily frugivorous, with fruits making up the majority of their diet. They also consume young leaves, flowers, and insects to supplement their nutritional needs. Their foraging behaviour plays a critical ecological role, as they disperse seeds throughout the forest, aiding in regeneration and maintaining biodiversity.

Reproduction and Mating

Kloss’s gibbons are monogamous, forming long-term pair bonds that last for life. Breeding pairs raise a single offspring every 2–3 years, with a gestation period of approximately seven months. The infant remains dependent on the mother for up to two years before becoming more independent. The low reproductive rate makes population recovery challenging, particularly in the face of ongoing threats.

Take Action!

Protecting Kloss’s gibbons requires urgent action. Support indigenous sovereignty and agroecology initiatives that safeguard their habitats. Boycott palm oil and advocate for stricter anti-poaching laws. Together, we can secure a future for these remarkable primates. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

FAQ

How many Kloss’s gibbons are left in the world?

The population of Kloss’s gibbons has declined by more than 50% over the past 45 years, with fewer than 25,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Their numbers continue to dwindle due to habitat destruction, hunting, and the illegal pet trade.

What is unique about the Kloss’s gibbon?

Kloss’s gibbons are celebrated for their ethereal, complex vocalisations. Males and females perform distinct solo songs featuring trills and rising notes, often described as hauntingly beautiful. These songs serve as territorial markers and help strengthen social bonds.

Where would you find Kloss’s gibbons?

Kloss’s gibbons are found exclusively on the Mentawai Islands, including Siberut, Sipora, North Pagai, and South Pagai. They inhabit dense lowland and montane rainforests, where they forage in the canopy and use their long arms for brachiation.

What are the main threats to Kloss’s gibbons?

The main threats include habitat loss from logging and palm oil plantations, hunting for bushmeat, and capture for the illegal pet trade. Climate change also poses a significant risk to their already fragile ecosystems.

The Kloss’s Gibbon is Endangered due to a past and continued population reduction, estimated at more than 50% over a period of 45 years, including two past generations (1986-2015) and the current generation (2016-2030). The population reduction is due to widespread local hunting for cultural reasons and loss of habitat, particularly in North Pagai, South Pagai and Sipora Islands.

A recent study shows that habitat loss in the Mentawai islands was mainly due to forest conversion for agriculture expansion by local communities. A total of 73,500 ha of forest in Siberut, North Pagai, South Pagai and Sipora Islands have been allocated for oil palm plantation by the local government and about 34,000 ha (46%) was granted to only two companies (FFI, unpublished report)

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Liswanto, D., Whittaker, D., Geissmann, T. & Whitten, T. 2020. Hylobates klossii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T10547A17967475. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T10547A17967475.en. Downloaded on 06 February 2021.

Neprimate Conservancy. (2022). Kloss’s Gibbon. Neprimate Conservancy.

Setiawan, A., et al. (2020). Distribution Survey of Kloss’s Gibbons in Mentawai Islands. ResearchGate.

Whittaker, D. J. (2012). Kloss Gibbon (Hylobates klossii) Behaviour Facilitates the Avoidance of Human Predation in the Peleonan Forest, Siberut Island, Indonesia. ResearchGate.

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Kloss’s gibbon. Wikipedia.

Kloss’s Gibbon Hylobates klossii

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Bornean White-bearded Gibbon Hylobates albibarbis

Bornean White-bearded Gibbon Hylobates albibarbis

Endangered

Indonesia (Kalimantan)

The Bornean White-bearded Gibbon belongs to the genus Hylobates. The word Hylobates means ‘Forest Walker’ in Greek. The gibbons in this genus are known for the white circle of fur around their faces. They are known to communicate in species-specific song when defining territory or attracting mates. They sing in regional accents to each other, have long swinging arms, inquisitive natures and superior acrobatic skills, they spend most of their lives high up in the tree-tops.

The Bornean White-bearded Gibbon is an intelligent and dynamic gibbon of the genus Hylobates (meaning forest walker in Greek). Endangered @IUCNredlist from complex threats incl. #palmoil #deforestation in #Kalimantan #Boycott4Wildlife

The Bornean White-bearded Gibbon is considered Endangered under Criterion A4cd, based on an overall suspected population reduction of 50% or more over the previous two generations (1990-2019), which is also expected to continue impacting the current generation (2020-2035).

IUCN Red List

The Bornean White-bearded Gibbon is chiefly arboreal and diurnal. This species is socially monogamous and highly territorial (Mitani 1987); estimates of territory size are 47 ha at Sabangau (Cheyne 2010) and 30-43 ha at Gunung Palung (Mitani 1990; Marshall 2004). These gibbons prefer to eat ripe, sugar-rich fruits (Cheyne 2008, Cheyne et al. 2016, Dillis et al. 2014, McConkey 2000, Singh et al. 2018) although unripe fruits, immature leaves, insects, and flowers are consumed during periods of low fruit abundance (Coiner-Collier et al. 2016, McConkey 1999). The species inhabits a range of primary, secondary and selectively logged tropical evergreen forest types (Cheyne 2010, Cheney et al. 2016, Harrison et al. 2010, Marshall et al. 2009). Peat swamp forest is a particularly important forest type for the Bornean White-bearded Gibbon (Cheyney 2008, 2010; Cheyney et al. 2008). Population densities are correlated with forest structure (Hamard et al. 2010, Cheyne et al. 2016, Marshall et al. 2014), altitude (Marshall 2009), and the abundance of important fallback foods (Marshall and Leighton 2006).

The Bornean White-bearded Gibbon is considered Endangered under Criterion A4cd, based on an overall suspected population reduction of 50% or more over the previous two generations (1990-2019), which is also expected to continue impacting the current generation (2020-2035). The reduction is driven by a corresponding loss of suitable habitat (that has averaged 1% annually in Borneo over the past 30 years) and is expected to continue at that rate (or higher) for the next 10 to 20 years, as well as by significant losses due to hunting and live capture for the pet trade.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Marshall, A.J., Nijman, V. & Cheyne, S. 2020. Hylobates albibarbis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39879A17967053. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020–2.RLTS.T39879A17967053.en. Downloaded on 06 February 2021.

Bornean White-bearded Gibbon Hylobates albibarbis

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Müller’s gibbon Hylobates muelleri

Müller’s gibbon Hylobates muelleri

Endangered

Borneo

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Location: Indonesia (Kalimantan, Borneo)

The Müller’s Gibbon also known as the Bornean Gibbon or the Southern Grey Gibbon is endemic to the southeastern lowland and hill rainforests of Kalimantan, Indonesia, found between the Mahakam and Barito Rivers. This area has been heavily logged for timber and palm oil.

The Müller’s Gibbon Hylobates muelleri, also known as Müller’s #gibbon or the Southern Grey Gibbon, is a master of the treetops and a celebrated forest singer. Their haunting duets echo across the rainforest canopy, keeping family bonds strong and warning intruders away. But these calls are growing rarer. The Müller’s gibbon is listed as #Endangered due to relentless forest loss caused by logging, #palmoil expansion, #fire, and #hunting. Their future depends on the survival of Borneo’s rainforests. Take action and use your wallet as a weapon! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife be #Vegan and #BoycottMeat

DYK Müller’s #Gibbons recognise each other’s calls with 95% accuracy? 🎵🪇📢This reflects deep social bonds and intelligence 🐵🐒🤎 #Endangered by #palmoil and hunting, help them survive! 🌴🩸🔥🚫 #BoycottPalmOil for them #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/bornean-gibbon-hylobates-muelleri/

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Müller’s Gibbons AKA Southern Grey Gibbons have ash grey fur and a contrasting facial ring. They sing in powerful dawn duets 🐒🐵📢🎶🎷 to mark territory. Don’t let the forest of #Borneo 🇮🇩 go silent! #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/bornean-gibbon-hylobates-muelleri/

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The Müller’s Gibbon is threatened by habitat loss due the expansion of agricultural palm oil plantations, clear-felling for timber and, to a lesser extent, selective logging, all of which are exacerbated by forest fires associated with El Niño events (Bartlett 2007, Campbell et al. 2008, Cheyne et al. 2016). Illegal hunting and live capture for the pet trade pose additional threats (Nijman and Menken 2005).

IUCN Red List

Appearance and Behaviour

Unlike many gibbon species, male and female Müller’s Gibbons look alike, both clad in ash-grey or brown fur with a bright, contrasting face ring. Some individuals also have a dark cap on their heads. Weighing just 4 to 8 kg, they are nimble and fast-moving, swinging effortlessly through the forest canopy. They live in monogamous family groups and sing long, powerful duets at dawn to mark their territory. Each female has a distinct vocal signature, identifiable by other gibbons with near-perfect accuracy, reflecting deep social bonds and individuality.

Müller's gibbon Hylobates muelleri by Wirestock for Getty Images (2)
Müller's gibbon Hylobates muelleri threats
Müller's gibbon Hylobates muelleri by Wirestock for Getty Images
Müller's Gibbon Hylobates muelleri by SlowMotionGli for Getty Images
Müller's Gibbon Hylobates muelleri by SlowMotionGli for Getty Images (2)
Müller's Gibbon Hylobates muelleri by Anup Shah for Getty Images
Müller's gibbon Hylobates muelleri boycott

Diet

Primarily frugivorous, Müller’s Gibbons prefer soft, pulpy fruits—especially those that are yellow, juicy, and available in large quantities. When fruit is scarce, they supplement their diet with leaves, flowers, and insects. They tend to favour fruit with few or no seeds and have been observed selecting based on traits like colour and size, showing clear preferences when food is plentiful.

Reproduction and Mating

These gibbons form lifelong pair bonds and are thought to follow a reproductive cycle similar to other Hylobates species. Females likely give birth to a single infant every two to three years after a gestation period of about seven months. Pair bonding is maintained through vocal duets and possibly through copulation calls, which some females sing near territorial boundaries—possibly to guard mates and strengthen relationships.

Geographic Range

Hylobates muelleri is found only in southeastern Borneo, Indonesia, south of the Mahakam River and east of the Barito River. These intelligent gibbons inhabit lowland dipterocarp forests and hill rainforests, including protected areas like the Danum Valley Conservation Area. Once more widespread, their range has been dramatically reduced and fragmented by logging, plantations, and fires.

Threats

Müller's gibbon Hylobates muelleri threats

• Industrial logging and clear-felling for timber.

• Out-of-control palm oil plantations replacing native rainforest.

• Climate change induced forest fires, particularly during El Niño droughts.

• Habitat fragmentation reducing connectivity between populations.

• Illegal hunting and capture for the exotic pet trade.

Take Action!

Protect Müller’s Gibbons by boycotting palm oil, demanding deforestation-free products, and supporting indigenous-led conservation across Borneo. Help amplify their songs by defending the forests they depend on. Push governments and companies to end destructive logging and land grabs. Every forest saved keeps a gibbon family singing. Help them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife be #Vegan and #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Müller’s Gibbons are left?

Precise population numbers of these gibbons are unknown, but they are declining rapidly. Habitat loss across Kalimantan has been severe, and the IUCN estimates that nearly 50% of suitable habitat may be lost over three generations (45 years) if current trends continue (Marshall et al., 2020).

What makes the singing of Müller’s Gibbons unique?

Müller’s Gibbons are famous for their haunting morning duets. Each female has a unique vocal signature, and recent studies have shown that other gibbons can identify individual callers with over 95% accuracy (Clink et al., 2017). These calls help maintain pair bonds, defend territories, and possibly even deter rivals from encroaching.

How does palm oil threaten Müller’s Gibbons?

The expansion of palm oil plantations is one of the biggest drivers of deforestation in Borneo. Entire forests have been cleared, pushing gibbon families into isolated fragments. This not only reduces access to food but makes it harder to find mates or escape poachers. There is no such thing as sustainable palm oil—boycott it entirely to protect forest wildlife.

Are Mueller’s Gibbons hunted or captured?

Yes. Despite legal protections, Müller’s Gibbons are sometimes hunted or caught for the pet trade. Young gibbons are especially vulnerable, and capturing them often involves killing the mother. This cruel trade contributes directly to population declines and family disruption.

Müller's gibbon Hylobates muelleri boycott

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Clink, D. J., Bernard, H., Crofoot, M. C., & Marshall, A. J. (2017). Investigating individual vocal signatures and small-scale patterns of geographic variation in female Bornean gibbon (Hylobates muelleri) great calls. International Journal of Primatology, 38(4), 656–671. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-017-9972-y

Inoue, Y., Sinun, W., & Okanoya, K. (2019). Copulation calls in wild Mueller’s gibbons (Hylobates muelleri): A case study. Interaction Studies, 20(2), 362–374. https://doi.org/10.1075/is.16018.ino

Marshall, A.J., Nijman, V. & Cheyne, S.M. 2020. Hylobates muelleri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39888A17990934. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39888A17990934.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

McConkey, K. R., Aldy, F., Ario, A., & Chivers, D. J. (2002). Selection of fruit by gibbons (Hylobates muelleri × agilis) in the rain forests of Central Borneo. International Journal of Primatology, 23(1), 123–145. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013253909046

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d). Müller’s gibbon. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%BCller%27s_gibbon

Bornean Gibbon Hylobates muelleri

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Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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Silvery Gibbon Hylobates moloch

Silvery Gibbon Hylobates moloch

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: Indonesia (island of Java, including provinces of Banten, West Java, and Central Java as far east as the Dieng Mountains)

The Silvery #Gibbon 🩶🐒🐵 of genus ‘Hylobates’ meaning ‘Forest Walker’. They sing to each other in ‘local’ accents and do thrilling acrobatics 🤸‍♂️ They are #endangered, help them to survive! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🔥⛔️ @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/silvery-gibbon-hylobates-moloch/

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The Silvery Gibbon belongs to the genus Hylobates. The word Hylobates means ‘Forest Walker’ in Greek. The gibbons in this genus are known for the white circle of fur around their faces. They are known to communicate in species-specific song when defining territory or attracting mates. They sing in regional accents to each other, have long swinging arms, inquisitive natures and superior acrobatic skills, they spend most of their lives high up in the tree-tops.

Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch
Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch

Appearance & Behaviour

Silvery gibbons are small apes, their bodies draped in long, silvery-grey fur with a dark grey or black cap on their heads and a distinctive fringe of white or light grey around their dark faces. Adults typically weigh around 6 kilograms, with males and females similar in size. Their arms are exceptionally long, spanning twice their body length, allowing them to brachiate—swing hand over hand—through the treetops with remarkable speed and agility. Unlike many other gibbon species, silvery gibbons do not sing duets; instead, it is the females who dominate the morning chorus with loud, haunting calls that echo through the forest. These family groups, usually consisting of a monogamous pair and their offspring, move together through the canopy, their movements fluid and almost effortless.

Threats

Palm oil and agricultural deforestation

Silvery gibbons face severe pressure from the ongoing loss of their forest habitat. In Java, particularly in Banten Province, deforestation is accelerating at a high rate. The conversion of forests to agricultural land, including palm oil plantations and other crops, leaves behind only isolated fragments of habitat. This fragmentation forces gibbons into ever-smaller territories, increasing stress and competition for resources. The once-continuous canopy that silvery gibbons depend on is being replaced by agricultural fields, making survival increasingly difficult for these arboreal primates.

Illegal pet trade, illegal poaching and hunting

Silvery gibbons are targeted by hunters for both meat and the illegal pet trade. Poachers often kill adult gibbons to capture infants, who are then sold as pets in markets throughout Indonesia. This practice not only removes individuals from the wild but also disrupts family groups and weakens the social structure essential for gibbon survival. The illegal pet trade remains a persistent and devastating threat, driven by demand for exotic animals and compounded by the ongoing destruction of their natural habitat.

Timber logging and habitat fragmentation

Logging operations further degrade and fragment the remaining forest habitat of silvery gibbons. Roads and clearings cut through the forest, severing the vital canopy connections that gibbons rely on for movement and social interaction. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and making them more vulnerable to disease and environmental change. In many areas, only small, isolated groups of gibbons remain, cut off from neighbouring populations by cleared land.

Climate change

Shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures threaten to alter the delicate balance of Indonesia’s forests. Changes in fruiting and flowering times can disrupt the silvery gibbon’s food supply, while extreme weather events destroy habitat and isolate populations even further. The silvery gibbon’s world is becoming hotter, drier, and less predictable, with the forests they depend on shrinking year by year.

Diet

Silvery gibbons are primarily frugivorous, with fruit making up about 61% of their diet and leaves accounting for another 38%. They also consume flowers and, to a lesser extent, insects. The silvery gibbon’s foraging is a daily journey through the treetops, as they search for scattered fruit-bearing trees. Their home ranges average between 17 and 60 hectares, and several families may share overlapping territories, especially where fruit is abundant. The rhythm of their feeding is woven into the life of the forest, as they play a vital role in seed dispersal and the regeneration of their ecosystem.

Mating & Reproduction

The Silvery Gibbon is considered Endangered based on a suspected population reduction of 50% or more over the course of three generations (2001-2015, 2016-2030, 2031-2045). This ongoing decline is due to the combined threats of forest habitat loss and hunting for subsistence purposes, in addition to supplying the pet trade.

IUCN Red List

Silvery gibbons are monogamous, forming lifelong pair bonds. There is no set breeding season, and females give birth to a single infant after a gestation period of about seven to eight months. The mother carries her baby close for the first year, nursing and protecting it as the family group moves through the forest. Weaning occurs at around 18 months, and offspring remain with their parents until they reach maturity at about eight years of age, when they leave to form their own families. The family unit is tight-knit, with both parents sharing in the care of their young and strong emotional bonds that are essential for survival in a changing world.

Geographic Range

Silvery gibbons are endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia, with their range primarily in the (still forested) western regions of Banten and West Java, and extending into parts of Central Java as far east as the Dieng Mountains. They inhabit lowland and lower montane rainforests up to 2,400 metres above sea level, though they are most commonly found below 1,600 metres. Their historical range has contracted dramatically due to deforestation and human infrastructure development, and they are now restricted to fragmented forest patches. The sounds of the silvery gibbon—once a common feature of Java’s forests—are now tragically heard in very few places.

FAQs

How many silvery gibbons are left?

Estimates suggest that fewer than 2,500 mature silvery gibbons remain in the wild, with populations continuing to decline due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and the illegal pet trade. In some areas, fewer than 2,000 individuals are considered genetically viable for the continuation of the species. The silvery gibbon’s future is precarious, and urgent action is needed to prevent their extinction.

What are the characteristics of the silvery gibbon?

Silvery gibbons are small, slender apes with long, silvery-grey fur and a dark cap on their heads. They lack a tail, and their arms are exceptionally long—up to twice their body length—allowing them to brachiate through the forest canopy with remarkable speed and grace. Adults typically weigh between 6 and 8 kilograms, with males slightly larger than females. Silvery gibbons are strictly arboreal, rarely descending to the forest floor, and live in small, monogamous family groups. The female leads the morning chorus with haunting, resonant calls that can be heard for up to a kilometre.

Is a silvery gibbon a monkey?

A silvery gibbon is not a monkey, but a lesser ape. The primary difference between a lesser ape (like a gibbon) and a monkey is that apes, including lesser apes, do not have tails, while most monkeys do. Additionally, apes are generally larger and have broader chests, while monkeys tend to be smaller and have narrower chests. Apes also have shoulder joints that allow for brachiation—swinging through trees—and some species exhibit higher intelligence and tool use. Lesser apes, such as gibbons and siamangs, are smaller than the great apes (chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, and humans) but share these key anatomical and behavioural traits. In contrast, most monkeys have tails, which they use for balance, and are more adapted to running along branches rather than swinging through the trees. While monkeys are intelligent, apes generally exhibit more complex cognitive abilities and social behaviours.

Why will the silvery gibbon become extinct in the next decade?

The silvery gibbon faces multiple, compounding threats that make extinction within the next decade a real possibility. Habitat loss due to deforestation has reduced their forest home to less than 4% of its original extent. Fragmentation isolates populations, making them more vulnerable to disease and genetic decline. The illegal pet trade continues to remove individuals from the wild, and climate change is altering the availability of food and water. Without urgent, large-scale intervention, the silvery gibbon is likely to disappear from much of its remaining range.

Are gibbon monkeys aggressive?

Gibbons, including silvery gibbons, are not monkeys but lesser apes. In their natural environment, silvery gibbons are highly territorial and will defend their home range with vocalisations and, if necessary, physical displays. Males and females both play a role in defending their territory, with the female’s morning calls and the male’s aggressive responses to intruders. Within the family group, silvery gibbons are generally peaceful and nurturing, with strong social bonds between parents and offspring. In captivity, gibbons can show aggression during introductions or when resources are contested, but this is not typical of their behaviour in the wild.

Are silvery gibbons Endangered?

Yes, the silvery gibbon is classified as Endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species. Their population is estimated at fewer than 2,500 mature individuals and is declining due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and the illegal pet trade. The silvery gibbon’s survival is at risk, and their future depends on the protection of remaining forest habitat and the reduction of human-induced threats

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Reject products linked to deforestation, mining, and the illegal wildlife trade. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike. Every choice matters—stand with the silvery gibbon.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Kim, S., Lappan, S., & Choe, J. C. (2010). Diet and ranging behavior of the endangered Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) in a submontane tropical rainforest. American Journal of Primatology, 72(10), 991–1000. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20893

Nijman, V. 2020. Hylobates moloch. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T10550A17966495. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T10550A17966495.en. Downloaded on 06 February 2021.

Reyes, K. R., Patel, U. A., Nunn, C. L., & Samson, D. R. (2021). Gibbon sleep quantified: The influence of lunar phase and meteorological variables on activity in Hylobates moloch and Hylobates pileatus. Primates, 62, 749–759. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34052907/

Silvery gibbon - Hylobates Moloch

Silvery Gibbon Hylobates moloch

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Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

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Abbott’s Gray Gibbon Hylobates abbotti

Abbott’s Gray Gibbon Hylobates abbotti

Endangered

Indonesia (Kalimantan); Malaysia (Sarawak)

The Abbott’s Gray Gibbon belongs to the genus Hylobates. The word Hylobates means ‘Forest Walker’ in Greek. The gibbons in this genus are known for the white circle of fur around their faces. They are known to communicate in species-specific song when defining territory or attracting mates. They sing in regional accents to each other, have long swinging arms, inquisitive natures and superior acrobatic skills, they spend most of their lives high up in the tree-tops.

The Abbott’s Gray Gibbons sing local accents, they’re endangered in #Kalimantan #Indonesia and #Malaysia due to threats incl. #deforestation for #palmoil and #agriculture. Support this species’ survival by joining the #Boycott4Wildlife

These gibbons are threatened by habitat loss due the expansion of agricultural plantations, clear-felling for timber and, to a lesser extent, selective logging, all of which are exacerbated by forest fires associated with El Niño events.

The Abbott’s Gray Gibbon lives in primary and secondary semi-deciduous monsoon, dipterocarp, tropical evergreen forest, and logged forest (tolerant to a certain extent and in the condition that fruit-bearing trees are still retained). Their diet includes young leaves, fruits, flowers, and insects. This species is yet to be studied in the wild for a better understanding of ecology. Hylobates abbotti is considered Endangered under Criterion A4cd, based on an overall suspected population reduction of 50% or more over the previous generation (2004-2018), which is expected to continue impacting the next two generations (2019-2048).

Abbott’s Gray Gibbon Hylobates abbotti
Abbott’s Gray Gibbon Hylobates abbotti

Illegal hunting and live capture for the pet trade pose additional threats (Bartlett 2007, Campbell et al. 2008, 2015, Cheyne et al. 2016).

Support this animal’s survival

The Gibbon Rehabilitation Project

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Cheyne, S.M. & Nijman, V. 2020. Hylobates abbotti. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39889A17990882. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39889A17990882.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Abbott’s Gray Gibbon Hylobates abbotti

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Northern Gray Gibbon Hylobates funereus

Northern Gray Gibbon Hylobates funereus

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: Northeastern Borneo, including Sabah and Sarawak in Malaysia, North Kalimantan and East Kalimantan in Indonesia, and Brunei.

At dawn under a slowly brightening sky, a sound begins to swell, a clear, haunting melody that cascades through the trees. This is the sound of the Northern grey gibbon, a small, acrobatic ape greeting the new day. They are masters of their treetop world, their long arms carrying them in a breathtaking, high-speed ballet from branch to branch. But their fragile world is shrinking. The roar of chainsaws replaces their song as ancient forests fall for palm oil plantations and timber. The Northern grey gibbon’s existence hangs by a thread, their families torn apart for the cruel pet trade. Their song is a plea for survival, a plea you can answer. Fight for their survival every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Graceful ballet dancers and opera singers of #Borneo, Northern Grey #Gibbons are #endangered by #palmoil and #timber #ecocide in #Malaysia and #Indonesia. Protect them when you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/northern-gray-gibbon-hylobates-funereus/

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Fluffy and curious Northern Grey #Gibbons are the fastest moving tree dwellers in the world and become ultra social during the fruit season. Help preserve their song for the future when you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/northern-gray-gibbon-hylobates-funereus/

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Appearance and behaviour

The Northern grey gibbon wears a coat of light brown fur that darkens on its face and chest, framed by a delicate white ring. Their most incredible feature is their impossibly long arms, a special adaptation for their life swinging through the trees. While they are territorial, defending their home with powerful songs, they are not necessarily aggressive neighbours. A long-term study in Malaysia’s Danum Valley Conservation Area found that when different family groups met, their interactions were mostly peaceful and communicative, using their songs to interact rather than fighting (Inoue et al., 2023).

These gibbons are also surprisingly adaptable. During “mast fruiting” events, when the forest trees produce a massive amount of fruit all at once, the gibbons’ social lives flourish. Fueled by the extra energy from the fruit bounty, they travel further, stay active later into the day, and spend significantly more time singing, playing, and grooming each other (Inoue et al., 2021). This period of abundance transforms their behaviour, turning their focus to strengthening social bonds within their family group.

Northern Grey Gibbon Hylobates funereus sitting in tree
Northern grey gibbon sitting in a tree grinning by Ayuwat
Northern grey gibbon sitting in a tree by Ayuwat
Northern grey gibbon singing by Ayuwat
Northern Grey Gibbon Hylobates funereus threats
Northern Grey Gibbon Hylobates funereus boycott palm oil
Northern grey gibbon by Josh Vandermeulen
Northern grey gibbon by Ayuwat
Northern grey gibbon 2 by hokoonwong

Threats

The Red List classifies the Northern grey gibbon as Endangered. Their population has dropped by more than half in the last 30 years because their forest home continues to be destroyed for palm oil and timber.

The Northern Gray Gibbon is threatened by habitat loss due the expansion of agricultural plantations, clear-felling for timber and, to a lesser extent, selective logging, all of which are exacerbated by forest fires associated with El Niño events.

IUCN Red List
Northern Grey Gibbon Hylobates funereus boycott palm oil
Northern Grey Gibbon Hylobates funereus threats

Palm oil and timber deforestation

The greatest danger to the Northern grey gibbon is the clearing of rainforests for palm oil agriculture and logging. This destruction carves up their habitat, leaving them stranded in small, isolated forest patches. In these fragments, they struggle to find food and mates, pushing them closer to extinction. Despite the immense greenwashing, there is no such thing as “sustainable” palm oil, all of it drives deforestation.

Illegal hunting and the illegal pet trade

These gibbons are also hunted illegally. Poachers target them for the pet trade, a cruel business that rips families apart. Mothers are often killed to steal their infants, who then face a miserable life in captivity. A gibbon belongs in the canopy, not a cage. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike.

Diet

Northern grey gibbons are primarily fruit-eaters. Their lives are shaped by the forest’s rhythm of feast and famine. Their diet and energy levels are directly linked to the “mast fruiting” cycles in the Bornean rainforest. When fruit is abundant, they thrive, using the extra energy to fuel their social lives (Inoue et al., 2021). When fruit is scarce, they survive by eating more leaves, flowers, and insects, but these periods put a strain on their health and ability to reproduce.

Northern Gray Gibbon Hylobates funereus
Northern Gray Gibbon Hylobates funereus

Mating and Reproduction

Northern grey gibbons form devoted pairs, raising their young in tight-knit family groups. A female gives birth to a single infant after a seven-month pregnancy, and she will nurse the baby for up to two years. The bond is strong, with the young gibbon staying with his family for as long as eight years to learn the skills needed to survive. Interestingly, social bonding seems to be a key part of their lives. Researchers have seen pairs mating even when the female is already pregnant, suggesting the act is not just for making babies but also for reinforcing their relationship, especially during times of fruit abundance when energy is high (Inoue et al., 2021).

Geographic Range

The Northern grey gibbon is found only in the rainforests of northeastern Borneo. They live high in the trees in the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, the Indonesian provinces of North and East Kalimantan, and in Brunei. They almost never touch the ground, spending their lives in the forest canopy that is now under constant threat.

FAQs

What are the main threats to the Eastern grey gibbon’s existence?

Their survival is threatened by the relentless destruction of their rainforest home for palm oil and timber. They are losing the trees they need for food, shelter, and movement. They are also victims of the illegal pet trade, which involves hunters killing mothers to capture their babies for a life of cruel captivity.

How can we protect the Northern grey gibbon?

A major hurdle for their protection is that the Northern grey gibbon is not officially on Indonesia’s list of protected species, unlike other gibbons. Furthermore, many of these gibbons live outside of national parks on land owned by local communities and private companies. Therefore, a critical step for their survival is to work with these multiple stakeholders to develop a conservation strategy that protects gibbons both inside and outside of protected areas (Setiawan et al., 2021).

How do Eastern grey gibbons communicate with each other?

They communicate using complex, beautiful songs. A mated pair sings duets at dawn to announce their territory and strengthen their bond. Studies show that these songs are also their main way of interacting with neighbouring groups, usually avoiding physical conflict (Inoue et al., 2023).

What are the natural predators of the Northern grey gibbon?

While humans are their biggest threat, Northern grey gibbons do have natural predators in the rainforest. Their main predators include large, stealthy cats like the Sunda clouded leopard, big snakes such as reticulated pythons and king cobras, and powerful birds of prey like the crested serpent eagle and the white-bellied sea eagle. Gibbons are incredibly fast and agile, which helps them escape, and they use loud alarm calls to warn their family and even other monkey species of nearby danger.

Are Northern grey gibbons aggressive towards their neighbours?

While they are territorial animals, Northern grey gibbons mostly avoid physical fights with their neighbours. A long-term study in Borneo observed that when different family groups came into contact, they almost always interacted peacefully. Instead of fighting, they use their powerful songs to communicate, settle disputes, and announce their presence, showing that their relationships are more complex than simple aggression (Inoue et al., 2023).

How does food availability change a Northern grey gibbon’s social life?

The social life of a Northern grey gibbon changes dramatically depending on how much food is available. During “mast fruiting” events, when the forest is full of fruit, they have a surplus of energy which they invest in social activities. Research shows that during these times of plenty, they spend much more time playing, grooming, and singing together, strengthening their family bonds (Inoue et al., 2021).

Do Northern grey gibbons mate for many reasons?

Yes. Mating appears to be an important social activity for Northern grey gibbons, not just a way to produce offspring. Scientists have observed them mating even when the female is already pregnant, particularly during times when food is abundant. This suggests that for gibbons, mating also serves to strengthen the bond between the male and female of a pair, reinforcing their lifelong partnership (Inoue et al., 2021).

Take Action!

Don’t let the beautiful songs of Northern grey gibbons go silent! Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. When you reject products containing palm oil, you send a clear message that you will not fund ecocide and deforestation. Support Indigenous-led conservation efforts, as they are the original and enduring protectors of Borneo’s rainforests. Your choices can help ensure the gibbon’s song is heard for generations to come.

Support the conservation of this species

Endangered Primate Rescue Centre

Numerous conservation efforts of these rarest of small primates are ongoing. Sponsor a gibbon at a rescue centre here.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Inoue, Y., Sinun, W., & Okanoya, K. (2021). Increase in social interactions of wild Northern Gray gibbons (Hylobates funereus) during the mast fruiting period in the Danum Valley Conservation Area, Sabah, Malaysia. acta ethologica, 24, 153–163. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10211-021-00370-1

Inoue, Y., Sinun, W., & Okanoya, K. (2023). Non-aggressive inter-group interactions in wild Northern Gray gibbons (Hylobates funereus). acta ethologica, 26, 59–74. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10211-023-00415-7

Lempang, M. E. P., Dewayanti, F. K., Syahrani, L., Permana, D. H., Malaka, R., Asih, P. B. S., & Syafruddin, D. (2022). Primate malaria: An emerging challenge of zoonotic malaria in Indonesia. One Health, 14, 100389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2022.100389

Nijman, V., Cheyne, S. & Traeholt, C. (2020). Hylobates funereus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39890A17990856. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39890A17990856.en

Setiawan, A., Cahyaningrum, E., Sibarani, M. C., Oktaviani, R., Nayasilana, I. N., Rifqi, M. A., Abdi, A. M., Rusmadipraja, I. A., & Prasetyo, D. (2021). The future of Indonesian gibbons: challenges and recommendations. Oryx, 55(5), 649-650. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605321000909

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Eastern grey gibbon. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_grey_gibbon

Northern grey gibbon by Ayuwat

Northern Gray Gibbon Hylobates funereus

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Tonkin Black Crested Gibbon Nomascus concolor ssp. concolor

Tonkin Black Crested Gibbon Nomascus concolor ssp. concolor

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Vietnam, China, Laos

The Tonkin Black Crested #Gibbon of the genus Nomascus are also known as the Indochinese black-crested gibbon. They are critically endangered #primates native to the misty mountain forests of northern #Vietnam, southern #China, and parts of #Laos. These highly intelligent and social #primates are famous for their morning duets, with pairs singing in species specific harmony to reinforce familial bonds and mark their territory. Research has shown that different populations have unique vocal accents, much like human dialects, making their songs distinct across their range. Despite their unique and sparkling vocal range, they are tragically on the edge of extinction. Only around 300 individuals are left in the wild, their survival is threatened by deforestation for palm oil, coffee, and rubber plantations, along with hunting for the illegal pet trade and traditional medicine. Help them to survive every time you shop boycott palm oil and call-out the exotic pet trade! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Tonkin Black Crested #Gibbon 🙈🐒 are a critically #endangered #monkey in #Vietnam 🇻🇳 #China 🇨🇳and #Laos 🇱🇦 on the edge of #extinction from the illegal #pet trade and #agriculture incl. #palmoil. Help them survive and 🌴🚫🙊 #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/tonkin-black-crested-gibbon-nomascus-concolor-ssp-concolor/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Tonkin black-crested gibbons are strikingly beautiful primates with a dramatic sexual dimorphism in their fur colour. Males are jet black with a distinctive crest of hair, giving them a regal appearance. Females, in contrast, are golden or light buff with dark faces, their dense fur providing camouflage among the treetops.

As true masters of the canopy, they rely on brachiation—swinging through the trees with their long, powerful arms—to travel effortlessly. Their limbs and hands are highly adapted for gripping branches, allowing them to cover great distances without ever touching the ground. Unlike other primates, they rarely descend from the trees, as doing so would leave them vulnerable to predators and poachers.

Each morning, their haunting, melodic calls echo through the rainforest, a ritual that strengthens pair bonds and communicates with neighbouring groups. Studies reveal that their songs differ by region, much like human accents, making each population’s calls unique.

Threats

Deforestation and Habitat Loss

The biggest threat to Tonkin black-crested gibbons is the rampant destruction of Southeast Asia’s rainforests. Vast tracts of land are cleared for palm oil, coffee, and rubber plantations, destroying their ancient treetop homes. Even within so-called “protected areas,” illegal logging and encroachment continue to fragment their shrinking range. With less than 2% of their original habitat remaining, their survival is at extreme risk.

The biggest threats to Nomascus concolor throughout its range include destructive local forest use and hunting while selective logging and agriculture encroachment are additional threats (Geissmann et al. 2000, Jiang et al. 2006, Sun et al. 2012, Wei et al. 2017).

IUCN Red List

Hunting and Illegal Pet Trade

Despite being legally protected, these gibbons are still hunted for bushmeat, traditional medicine, and the exotic pet trade. Hunters kill adult gibbons to steal their infants, who are then sold on the black market. Many of these stolen babies die from stress, malnutrition, or trauma, while those that survive endure a miserable existence in tiny cages.

Infrastructure and Road Expansion

New roads and infrastructure projects are fragmenting gibbon populations, cutting them off from crucial foraging and mating territories. As forests become increasingly isolated, inbreeding and local extinctions become inevitable. Roads also provide easier access for poachers to hunt these vulnerable primates.

Climate Change Induced Extreme Weather

Recent research (Yang et al., 2023) suggests that climate change is altering their rainforest habitat, with rising temperatures affecting food availability. Increased typhoons and extreme weather events are also destroying large swathes of forest, leaving them with fewer places to find shelter and food.

Diet

Tonkin black-crested gibbons are primarily frugivores, feeding on wild figs, berries, and other soft fruits. They also consume young leaves, flowers, and insects, adapting their diet depending on seasonal availability. Their role as seed dispersers is vital in maintaining and regenerating rainforest ecosystems.

Reproduction and Mating

Gibbons form strong, monogamous pairs, a rarity among primates. Mating pairs stay together for life, raising their young in close-knit family groups. After a six-to-seven-month gestation period, females give birth to a single infant, which clings tightly to its mother for the first few months. Juveniles remain with their parents for several years before venturing off to establish their own families.

Geographic Range

Tonkin black-crested gibbons lives in subtropical and montane evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forest. These magnificent gibbons are classified as Critically Endangered based on a suspected population reduction of over 80% in the last 45 years (three generations) and a suspected continuing reduction at the same rate for at least 15 years (one generation) in the future, due primarily to widespread hunting and habitat loss.

Following extensive forest loss their dwindling number are only found in isolated forest patches across northern Vietnam, southern China, and Laos. Their remaining populations are largely confined to fragmented, high-altitude forests in the Yunnan province of China, the Mu Cang Chai region of Vietnam, and parts of northern Laos. These populations are critically small and continue to shrink due to habitat destruction.

FAQs

Are Tonkin black-crested gibbons good pets?

No. Keeping a Tonkin black-crested gibbon as a pet is cruel, unethical, and highly illegal. These primates are wild animals that belong in the rainforest, not in cages. To fuel the illegal pet trade, hunters slaughter adult gibbons to steal their babies, who are then smuggled and sold. Most of these infants die from stress, disease, or malnutrition within weeks. If you truly love gibbons, you should fight against the pet trade and demand stronger enforcement of wildlife protection laws.

How does palm oil and other agriculture threaten Tonkin black-crested gibbons?

The expansion of palm oil, coffee, and rubber plantations is wiping out the last remaining forests where these gibbons live. Vast areas of Vietnam, Laos, and China have been cleared for monoculture agriculture, leaving only small, disconnected patches of rainforest. Without large, intact forests, gibbons cannot find enough food, establish new family groups, or escape from hunters. Boycotting palm oil, along with coffee and rubber sourced from deforested land, is one of the most powerful ways to help.

Why are Tonkin black-crested gibbons different colours?

Like many gibbon species, males and females have different fur colours—a trait known as sexual dichromatism. Males have sleek, black fur with a crest of hair on their heads, while females are golden with dark faces. Infants are born with a pale, golden coat that darkens as they mature, eventually taking on the adult coloration of their sex.

How many Tonkin black-crested gibbons are left in the wild?

Only around 300 individuals remain, scattered across fragmented forest patches in Vietnam, China, and Laos. Their numbers continue to decline due to deforestation, hunting, and the illegal pet trade. Without urgent intervention, they could disappear entirely within a few decades.

Take Action!

The survival of Tonkin black-crested gibbons depends on protecting their forests and ending the illegal wildlife trade. You can help by:

• Boycotting palm oil and other commodities linked to deforestation

• Refusing to support the exotic pet trade

• Raising awareness about their plight and supporting conservation efforts

Every choice you make has an impact. Fight for their future every time you shop. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

Numerous conservation efforts of these rarest of small primates are ongoing. Sponsor a gibbon at a rescue centre here.

Endangered Primate Rescue Centre

Further Information

iucn-rating-critically-endangered

Pengfei, F., Nguyen, M.H., Roos, C. & Rawson, B.M. 2020. Nomascus concolor ssp. concolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T160304839A17991381. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T160304839A17991381.en. Downloaded on 28 January 2021.

Yang, L., Chen, T., Zhang, L., & Fan, P. (2023). Stable habitat supports long-term persistence of critically endangered western black-crested gibbons. Global Ecology and Conservation, 47, e02657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2023.e02657

Neprimate Conservancy. (2023). Black-Crested Gibbon Profile. Retrieved from https://neprimateconservancy.org/black-crested-gibbon

Tonkin Black Crested Gibbon Nomascus concolor ssp. concolor

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Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar

Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar

Endangered

Location: Found across the rainforests of Southeast Asia, including parts of Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, and Laos.

Gibbons, often called “lesser apes,” are no less than awesome! The Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar, also known as the white-handed gibbon, is a charismatic and acrobatic primate renowned for their incredible agility and melodic songs that echo through the rainforests of Southeast Asia. With their striking black or sandy-coloured fur and distinctive white markings on their hands and face, Lar Gibbons are both captivating and vital to their ecosystems.

These gibbons are Endangered according to the IUCN Red List, facing rapid population declines due to habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal wildlife trade. Protecting these extraordinary primates means addressing deforestation, logging, and other threats head-on. Fight for their survival every time you shop. Use your wallet as a weapon, demand palm oil free and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

The Lar Gibbon is one of the most outgoing and gregarious of the #gibbon species 🩷🤟🐵🐒 Endangered in SE #Asia from complex threats incl. #palmoil #deforestation, you can help them, every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/lar-gibbon-hylobates-lar/

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The true “party animals” of the jungle 🥳🪅🎉🐒🐵, Lar Gibbons are always up to something cheeky. They face serious threats from #palmoil #deforestation in South East Asia. Take action for them when you #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/lar-gibbon-hylobates-lar/

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Ongoing localized forest loss due to shifting agriculture and commercial plantations of palm oil poses a threat.

IUCN Red List

Appearance and Behaviour

Lar Gibbons are medium-sized primates, with adults weighing between 4–7 kilograms and measuring about 45–64 centimetres in height. They have dense fur ranging from black to sandy brown, with white fur encircling their faces and adorning their hands and feet. These markings give them their “white-handed” nickname.

Famous for their brachiation, Lar Gibbons swing effortlessly from branch to branch using their long arms, achieving speeds of up to 56 km/h and covering distances of up to 15 metres in a single leap. Their territorial calls are a hallmark of their behaviour, with males and females performing duet songs to communicate boundaries and strengthen pair bonds. These calls have been shown to exhibit structural complexity, akin to a form of primate “language” (Sci-News, 2015).

Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar calling
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar thumbs up
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar boycott
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar yelling and singing
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar pair observing
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar up close
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar curious
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar reclined and relaxing
Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar pensive look

Threats

IUCN Status: Endangered

Habitat Loss for palm oil, timber and infrastructure:

Lar Gibbons face extensive habitat destruction due to logging, palm oil plantations, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Forest fragmentation isolates populations, making genetic exchange and survival more challenging (IUCN Red List, 2021).

Ongoing forest loss due to shifting agriculture and commercial plantations of palm oil poses a threat. On northern Sumatra, most of the lowland forests have been logged out and the threat of Ladia Galaskar, a network to link the west and east coasts of Aceh province, means that much of the remaining forest is at risk.

Poaching and illegal wildlife trade:

These gibbons are often hunted for bushmeat or captured for the exotic pet trade. Their charismatic nature makes them a target for illegal wildlife markets, with many young gibbons taken after hunters kill their mothers (Barelli et al., 2008).

Human-induced climate change:

Human-induced climate change is shifting rainfall patterns and rising temperatures. This is a threat to their rainforest habitats, further diminishing food sources and shelter for these gibbons.

Diet

Lar Gibbons are primarily frugivorous, feeding on a variety of fruits, supplemented by leaves, flowers, and insects. Their feeding habits play a crucial role in seed dispersal, contributing to forest regeneration. Seasonal variations in fruit availability influence their foraging behaviours and movement patterns.

Reproduction and Mating

Lar Gibbons are monogamous primates that form lifelong pair bonds. Breeding occurs year-round, with females giving birth to a single infant after a gestation period of about seven months. Young gibbons stay with their parents for up to eight years, learning essential survival skills before becoming independent.

Parental care is evenly shared, with both males and females playing active roles in protecting and teaching their offspring.

Geographic Range

The Lar Gibbon inhabits the rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Laos. They prefer dense, undisturbed primary forests but can sometimes be found in degraded habitats if food is available. However, their range is shrinking rapidly due to deforestation and habitat fragmentation.

FAQ

What are some interesting facts about the Lar Gibbon?

Lar Gibbons are masters of the treetops, using their long arms for brachiation, a form of swinging locomotion that allows them to travel efficiently through the forest canopy. They are one of the fastest arboreal mammals, capable of reaching speeds of 56 km/h. Their calls are not just territorial but have been likened to a form of “song” that contains unique structural patterns (Sci-News, 2015).

Why are Hylobates lar endangered species?

Lar Gibbons are endangered due to extensive habitat loss from logging, palm oil plantations, and agricultural expansion. Poaching for the illegal pet trade and hunting also significantly impact their populations. With forests disappearing at alarming rates, their survival depends on urgent conservation action (IUCN Red List, 2021).

Are Lar Gibbons aggressive?

Lar Gibbons are generally non-aggressive and shy towards humans. However, they can display territorial aggression within their own species. These confrontations are usually vocal and rarely involve physical altercations. Their vocalisations play a crucial role in asserting territorial boundaries (Barelli et al., 2008).

What are some facts about gibbons?

Gibbons, often called “lesser apes,” are no less than awesome! They are highly intelligent primates with complex social behaviours. They are known for their long arms and acrobatic abilities, allowing them to navigate forest canopies efficiently. Gibbons are unique among primates for their vocal duets, which are used to maintain pair bonds and communicate with neighbouring groups (PubMed, 2015).

Take Action!

The Lar Gibbon is a symbol of Southeast Asia’s fragile ecosystems, and their survival depends on the preservation of their rainforest homes. Join the fight against deforestation, support indigenous-led conservation, and boycott palm oil to protect their future. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

Numerous conservation efforts of these rarest of small primates are ongoing. Sponsor a gibbon at a rescue centre here.

Endangered Primate Rescue Centre

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Barelli, C., Boesch, C., Heistermann, M., & Reichard, U. H. (2008). Female white-handed gibbons (Hylobates lar) lead group movements and have priority of access to food resources. Behaviour, 145(5), 641–665.

Brockelman, W & Geissmann, T. 2020. Hylobates lar. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T10548A17967253. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T10548A17967253.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.


News Staff. (2015, April 10). Scientists decode ‘language’ of Lar Gibbons. Sci-News. Retrieved from https://www.sci.news/biology/science-language-lar-gibbons-02683.html


Terleph, T. A., Malaivijitnond, S., & Reichard, U. H. (2015). Lar gibbon (Hylobates lar) great call reveals individual caller identity. American Journal of Primatology, 77(7), 811–821. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.22406

Lar Gibbon Hylobates lar

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Wrinkled Hornbill Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus

Wrinkled Hornbill Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus

IUCN Status: Endangered

Extant Locations: Indonesia (Sumatra, Kalimantan), Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo), Brunei, Thailand (southern regions)

Now extinct: Singapore

The Wrinkled #Hornbill Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus, also known as the Corrugated Hornbill, is a striking rainforest #bird from #Indonesia, #Borneo, Peninsular #Malaysia, #Brunei and #Thailand. They are famous for their glossy black plumage, massive wrinkled casque, and vibrant orange-yellow beak. Males boast bright yellow throats, while females display striking blue patches, making them one of the most vividly colourful hornbills in of Southeast Asia. As crucial seed dispersers, they shape tropical forests by spreading the seeds of fig trees and other large fruiting species. However, their numbers are plummeting due to rampant deforestation for timber, paper, and industrial palm oil plantations, alongside illegal #hunting and the illegal wildlife trade. A 2023 study in Central Sarawak (Mohd-Azlan et al.) revealed that even selectively logged forests are failing to support hornbill populations, highlighting the urgent need for action. These birds rely on mature fig trees and vast, uninterrupted canopy cover, but their habitat is being decimated at an alarming rate. Without immediate conservation efforts, their populations will continue to collapse. Fight for their survival every time you shop—boycott palm oil, tropical timber, and wildlife trafficking. Support indigenous-led conservation. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Magnificent #hornbill 🦜💚 couples nest in ancient trees, females stay put while males bring food for chicks. Hornbills need old #forest to survive, #palmoil #deforestation is a huge threat! Resist and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/wrinkled-hornbill-rhabdotorrhinus-corrugatus/

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Wrinkled Hornbills 🦜💚🧐have a colourful casque that looks great on them but is sought after by #poachers 🤢🤮 Ancient keepers of rainforests in #Indonesia and #Malaysia, #palmoil #deforestation is a threat. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴☠️🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/wrinkled-hornbill-rhabdotorrhinus-corrugatus/

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Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 8
Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 8
Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 6
Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 5
Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 4
Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 3
Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 2
Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 1

Appearance and Behaviour

These medium-sized hornbills measure 70–80 cm in length and weigh between 1.2–1.5 kg. Their most defining feature is their wrinkled casque, a hollow structure atop their beak, which is larger in males than in females. Males have a bright yellow throat pouch, while females display a striking blue pouch. Their glossy black plumage contrasts with their vivid red-orange bills, creating a spectacular visual in the rainforest canopy. Their calls echo through the treetops, a mix of harsh cackles and deep honks that signal their presence and territorial claims.

These birds are highly social and monogamous, forming lifelong bonds. They are strong fliers, moving in pairs or small groups as they traverse vast forest landscapes in search of fruit. When alarmed, they emit a sharp, rasping croak, warning others of potential threats.

Diet

Wrinkled Hornbills are primarily frugivorous, feeding on a diverse range of rainforest fruits, including figs (Ficus spp.), rambutans, and nutmeg. They also consume small animals, such as insects, lizards, and even small birds, supplementing their diet with protein when necessary.

Their role as seed dispersers is crucial—many rainforest trees rely on these hornbills to carry their seeds across vast distances, ensuring the survival of the ecosystem.

Reproduction and Mating

These birds follow a strict nesting ritual, where the female is sealed inside a tree cavity using mud and regurgitated food. She remains inside for two to three months, incubating one to two eggs and relying entirely on the male to provide food. The chicks hatch blind and helpless, and the male continues to deliver fruit through a narrow opening in the sealed nest until they are ready to emerge.

This unique breeding strategy makes them highly vulnerable—if their nesting tree is cut down, the entire family perishes.

Geographic Range

Historically, Wrinkled Hornbills were found throughout Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, but they are now largely restricted to isolated forest patches in Sumatra, Borneo, and Peninsular Malaysia. Habitat loss has caused severe population fragmentation, and local extinctions have been recorded in several areas.

Threats

This species shows strong avoidance of degraded or secondary forests and is reliant on lowland forest (D. L. Yong and S. Mahood in litt. 2018), which is particularly threatened by land conversion for large-scale plantations of oil palm and rubber, as well as clearance for small-scale agriculture.

IUCN Red list

Palm oil and timber deforestation and habitat fragmentation

The primary driver of decline is the large-scale clearance of tropical rainforests for palm oil plantations, logging, and agricultural monocultures. Wrinkled Hornbills require large, undisturbed tracts of forest to thrive, particularly for nesting in old-growth trees. However, Mohd-Azlan et al. (2023) found that hornbill diversity and abundance drop significantly in selectively logged production forests, indicating that even non-clear-cut logging has detrimental effects on populations. Forest fragmentation isolates small groups of Wrinkled Hornbills, reducing breeding success and genetic diversity.

Logging and nesting site loss

Wrinkled Hornbills rely on massive, centuries-old trees for nesting. Large dipterocarp trees with natural cavities are particularly important, yet selective logging disproportionately removes these trees, causing catastrophic declines in nesting availability (Mohd-Azlan et al., 2023). Even where some forest cover remains, the loss of suitable breeding sites disrupts reproductive success and forces hornbills into suboptimal, degraded areas.

Hunting and illegal wildlife trade

Wrinkled Hornbills are targeted by poachers for their casque, meat, and body parts, particularly in parts of Southeast Asia where traditional medicine and ornamental trade drive illegal hunting. Though not as heavily poached as the Helmeted Hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil), Wrinkled Hornbills are still captured for the illegal pet trade. The disruption of breeding pairs due to hunting has devastating consequences, as hornbills form long-term monogamous pairs and rely on cooperative care for their chicks.

Climate change induced extreme weather

The intensifying impacts of climate change, including unpredictable rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and stronger storms, pose an additional threat to Wrinkled Hornbills. These birds are sensitive to fluctuations in fruit availability, and prolonged dry seasons have been shown to reduce breeding success in related hornbill species. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events may also degrade their remaining forest habitats, exacerbating existing threats.

Agricultural expansion and palm oil plantations

Palm oil expansion remains one of the greatest threats to Wrinkled Hornbills. The conversion of diverse rainforests into uniform oil palm monocultures eliminates critical foraging grounds and disrupts seasonal food availability. Oil palm plantations do not support the diverse fruiting trees hornbills depend on, leading to starvation and displacement. To protect this species, urgent action is needed to halt deforestation and promote indigenous-led conservation efforts that preserve primary forests.

FAQs

How many Wrinkled Hornbills are left in the wild?

Their population is rapidly declining, with estimates placing their numbers at fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. The main drivers of this decline are deforestation, poaching, and the illegal pet trade.

Why are Wrinkled Hornbills endangered?

Massive deforestation for palm oil, illegal logging, and hunting have wiped out large portions of their habitat. They are also highly sensitive to human disturbances, making them particularly vulnerable to extinction.

Would a Wrinkled Hornbill make a good pet?

Absolutely not! Wrinkled Hornbills are wild birds that require vast rainforests to thrive. Capturing them for the pet trade is illegal and contributes to their extinction. Many of these majestic birds are stolen from their nests, leading to high mortality rates among both the chicks and their parents along with enormous trauma to whole families of birds. If you love these birds, instead you must advocate for their protection and call-out the illegal trading of these birds online!

Where do Wrinkled Hornbills live?

Wrinkled Hornbills are native to Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Borneo, where they inhabit dense lowland rainforests. They are typically found in primary forests below 300 metres in elevation, though they may venture higher in some areas. These hornbills rely on mature trees with large natural cavities for nesting, making them especially vulnerable to deforestation. Logging and agricultural expansion, particularly for palm oil plantations, have caused significant habitat loss, pushing these birds into smaller, fragmented patches of remaining rainforest.

What do Wrinkled Hornbills eat?

Wrinkled Hornbills primarily feed on fruit, particularly figs, which make up a large part of their diet. As frugivores, they play an essential role in their ecosystem by dispersing seeds that help regenerate forests. However, they also supplement their diet with insects, frogs, lizards, and small vertebrates, especially when fruit is scarce. Using their powerful, curved beaks, they pluck fruit directly from trees or snatch prey from bark and leaves. The loss of diverse fruiting trees due to deforestation severely impacts their ability to find food, putting additional pressure on already declining populations.

How do Wrinkled Hornbills drink?

Unlike many other bird species, Wrinkled Hornbills do not drink water directly. Instead, they obtain all their hydration from the fruit they consume, which contains high moisture content. This adaptation allows them to remain in the canopy without descending to the ground, reducing their risk of predation. Their reliance on fruit for hydration further underscores the importance of protecting diverse rainforest ecosystems, as habitat destruction and monoculture plantations deprive them of this crucial resource.

How do Wrinkled Hornbills communicate?

Wrinkled Hornbills are highly vocal birds, producing deep, resonant calls to communicate through the dense rainforest. Their most common vocalisations include a harsh “kak-kak” or a deep “row-wow” sound, which helps them maintain contact with their mates, warn off intruders, or signal the presence of predators. Their large casque, the wrinkled structure on top of their beak, may help amplify these calls, allowing them to travel over long distances. In addition to vocalisations, they use bill-clattering, posturing, and aerial displays to communicate, particularly during courtship or territorial disputes. These vocal abilities are essential, as Wrinkled Hornbills form monogamous pairs that remain bonded for life and rely on constant communication.

How do Wrinkled Hornbills breed?

Wrinkled Hornbills are monogamous, forming lifelong bonds with their mates. Their breeding process is highly specialised, with the female sealing herself inside a tree cavity to protect her eggs. She uses a mixture of mud, fruit pulp, and droppings to create a barrier, leaving only a small opening through which the male delivers food. Inside the nest, she lays up to two eggs and incubates them for around three months, relying entirely on the male for sustenance. Once the chicks hatch, the female breaks out of the sealed nest to help care for them. Both parents take turns feeding their young until they are strong enough to leave the nest and forage independently. This unique nesting behaviour makes Wrinkled Hornbills particularly dependent on old-growth trees, as the loss of suitable nesting sites due to deforestation severely impacts their ability to reproduce.

How does palm oil threaten Wrinkled Hornbills?

The palm oil industry is responsible for rampant deforestation, destroying their habitat at an alarming rate. Wrinkled hornills rely on ancient trees for nesting sites. Thus the clearing forests for palm oil plantations wipes out nesting sites, leaving them vulnerable to hunters, and eliminates the fruiting trees they rely on for food. Support indigenous-led conservation and always #BoycottPalmOil in the supermarket

What can be done to save Wrinkled Hornbills?

Protecting their habitat is key. You can help by:

• Refuse to buy products containing palm oil and actively boycott palm oil.

• Supporting indigenous communities who have protected rainforests for thousands of years.

• Advocating for stronger legal protections to stop deforestation and illegal trade. Call out and report illegal trading of these birds on social media.

• Raising awareness about their plight on social media using #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Take Action!

The future of the Wrinkled Hornbill depends on urgent action. Stop supporting industries that destroy their habitat, boycott palm oil, and demand stronger protections for these remarkable birds. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop!

Support the conservation of this species

This species has no known conservation projects in place for their protection. Help them and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Birds of the World. (n.d.). Wrinkled Hornbill (Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus). Retrieved from Birds of the World

BirdLife International. 2018. Rhabdotorrhinus corrugatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22682514A132244524. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22682514A132244524.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Mohd-Azlan, J., Philovenny, P., Maiwald, M. J., Chas, N. B. J., Robert, L. A., & Noske, R. A. (2023). Diversity and relative abundance of hornbills in selectively-logged production forests in Central Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. Kukila, 24, 1–15. Retrieved from Research Gate

Reko Forest. (n.d.). Wildlife of RER: The Wrinkled Hornbill. Retrieved from Reko Forest

Wrinkled Hornbill - Aceros Corrugatus - Asia 8

Wrinkled HornbillRhabdotorrhinus corrugatus

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3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

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Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Location: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Brunei

Found in lowland riverine and peat swamp forests of #Borneo, #Sumatra, Peninsular #Malaysia, and southern #Thailand. Core strongholds include the floodplains of Sabah and peat swamps of #Kalimantan.

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi is the rarest and most elusive #stork in Asia, and one of the world’s most threatened. Currently listed as #Endangered by the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 500 individuals remaining in the wild, their continued survival hangs by a thread in #Malaysia #Indonesia #Thailand and #Brunei. These elegant, black-and-white #birds once ranged widely across the Sundaic region. Today, their numbers are spiralling due to large-scale #deforestation for #palmoil plantations, logging, and infrastructure projects like dams and roads that slice through their forest home.

Peat swamp #forests—critical for nesting and foraging—are rapidly disappearing. But you can help turn the tide. Use your wallet as a weapon to protect these remarkable birds. Choose products that are 100% #palmoilfree and support indigenous-led conservation. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

Storm’s #Storks have bright red and yellow faces and live in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 and #Indonesia 🇮🇩. They’re #endangered due to #PalmOil #deforestation 🌴🔥 and hunting 🏹 Fight for them when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🧐⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/storms-stork-ciconia-stormi/

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Raising two chicks per year, monogamous Storm’s #Storks of #Thailand 🇹🇭 #Malaysia 🇲🇾 and #Indonesia 🇮🇩are #endangered due to #deforestation for #rubber and #palmoil. Resist for them when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/storms-stork-ciconia-stormi/

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Appearance and Behaviour

With their sleek black plumage, brilliant white undertail, and arresting red facial skin encircled by a yellow eye ring, Storm’s Storks are unmistakeable once seen—if seen at all. Adults stand at 75–91 cm tall, their red legs often stained white from perching high in the canopy. They are silent outside the breeding season but may utter soft whistling or a frog-like call at the nest.

Unlike many storks, they are shy and solitary, rarely seen in groups. They glide high above the forest on thermals, and are often seen alone or in pairs near quiet, muddy riverbanks. Nesting high in tall trees, often overhanging rivers, they raise just two chicks a year with intense parental care and secrecy.

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi threats
Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi by Lagunatic for Getty Images
Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi
Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi by Lagunatic for Getty Images (2)
Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi by Fluff and Shutter for Getty Images
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Diet

Storm’s Stork feeds primarily on small fish, frogs, worms, aquatic insect larvae and sometimes crustaceans and grasshoppers. They stalk quietly along shaded forest streams and oxbow lakes, moving slowly and deliberately. Parents regurgitate these prey items into the nest for their young, with foraging usually taking place 2–3 km away from their nesting site.

Reproduction and Mating

Monogamous pairs construct large twig nests high in the canopy, often reusing the same nest over several years. Nesting takes place in primary forest close to rivers, with clutches of two eggs and chicks fledging after approximately 90 days. Breeding displays include aerial flips and ground-based mutual bowing. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs and feeding the chicks, although the female tends to remain longer at the nest.

Geographic Range

Storm’s Stork occurs at extremely low densities across Borneo (Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia), Sumatra, Peninsular Malaysia, and southern Thailand. Borneo is its core range, especially in Kalimantan and Sabah, where it persists in lowland peat swamps and riverine forests. Once present across the Greater Sundas, it is now extinct or nearly so in Thailand and Myanmar. In Sumatra, populations remain on the Kampar Peninsula, Way Kambas, and Siberut. In Peninsular Malaysia, only small relict populations exist, mostly within Taman Negara.

Threats

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi threats

Ciconia stormi is native to the swamp and plains-level forests of the Greater Sundas, where it occurs at a very low density and nowhere is numerous. Over the past three generations (31 years: 1992–2023), it is suspected of having declined rapidly (40–60%) in response to industrial removal of its habitat for agro-industry plantations, particularly oil-palm and rubber. Its global population size is uncertain, but probably numbers 300–1,750 mature individuals; with ongoing habitat loss compounded by forest fires which may increase with frequency in response to climate change, this species is considered to be a high risk of extinction in the near-term. Accordingly, it is listed as Endangered.

IUCN Red list

• Widespread deforestation for palm oil and rubber plantations has destroyed much of the lowland forest habitat that Storm’s Stork depends on.

• Peat swamp forests, their stronghold in Borneo, are being drained, logged and set alight, especially during El Niño years.

• Logging roads fragment the forest and degrade rivers through erosion and sedimentation, reducing aquatic prey.

• Forest fires intensify due to human activities, especially in drained peatlands, further eliminating habitat and nesting sites.

• Hydropower projects, like the Chiew Larn Dam in Thailand, have flooded large tracts of prime habitat.

• Hunting still occurs, though not the primary driver of decline. These sensitive birds abandon nests if disturbed.

• Captive trade was a minor historic threat; however, tamed birds in zoos are unlikely to be rewilded successfully.

• Climate change and habitat fragmentation create uncertain future conditions, especially for isolated populations on Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula.

Take Action!

Storm’s Stork is a symbol of everything we stand to lose through the reckless destruction of rainforests. You have power to stop this.

Use your wallet as a weapon and boycott palm oil. Refuse to buy from companies that drive deforestation. Support indigenous-led agroecology. Speak out against the destruction of Southeast Asia’s peat swamp forests. Take action every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife, be #Vegan!

FAQs

How many Storm’s Storks are left in the wild?

Estimates suggest only 260–500 individuals remain globally. Around 240–1,600 mature individual birds may persist in Borneo, especially in Kalimantan. Sumatra’s population may be as low as 50–100 mature birds, while Peninsular Malaysia and Thailand hold fewer than 10 pairs each (BirdLife International, 2021; Martin et al., 2024).

How long do Storm’s Storks live?

Although exact data is scarce, storks in the genus Ciconia are long-lived, with some individuals living more than 20 years in the wild. Their slow reproductive rate and long lifespan make population recovery difficult after sharp declines (Danielsen et al., 1997; BirdLife International, 2021).

Why is palm oil so destructive for Storm’s Stork?

Palm oil expansion targets the very peat swamp and lowland forests Storm’s Stork calls home. These habitats are easy to access and commercially valuable, making them first to be logged, drained, and cleared. The result is mass habitat loss, water pollution, fire risk, and collapsing food chains that leave the storks with nowhere to nest or feed (Miettinen et al., 2011; Harrison et al., 2016).

Are Storm’s Storks affected by hunting or the pet trade?

They are hunted opportunistically by forest dwellers and poachers, especially as access increases through roads. However, hunting is not the main cause of their decline. The pet trade spiked in the late 1980s, but today, habitat loss remains the overwhelming threat (BirdLife International, 2021; Martin et al., 2024).

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Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

BirdLife International. 2023. Ciconia stormi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2023: e.T22697685A224541343. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2023-1.RLTS.T22697685A224541343.en. Accessed on 23 March 2025.

BirdLife International. (2021). Ciconia stormi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T22697655A194974787. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T22697655A194974787.en

Martin, B., Staniewicz, A., Darmansyah, S., & Karo, I. (2024). Records of the Endangered Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi in East Kutai, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, and notes on its conservation in Borneo. ResearchGate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/381294067

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Storm’s stork. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 22, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storm%27s_stork

Storm’s Stork Ciconia stormi

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee

Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee

IUCN Red List Status: Endangered

Location: India, Nepal, Bhutan, Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar.
Wild Water Buffaloes survive mainly in Kaziranga and Manas National Parks (Assam), Udanti Wildlife Sanctuary (Chhattisgarh), Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (Nepal), with reintroduction potential identified in Kanha National Park (Madhya Pradesh).

Massive, muscular, and critically under threat, the Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee is the endangered ancestor of all domestic buffalo breeds. Once roaming vast swathes of South and Southeast Asia, fewer than 4,000 individual buffaloes remain today, scattered across shrinking habitats in India, Nepal, Cambodia, and a handful of neighbouring nations. Their decline is driven by interbreeding with domestic buffalo species, habitat destruction from farming and palm oil plantations, hunting, and disease transmission from livestock. This ancient grazer of flooded grasslands and braided rivers is vanishing before our eyes. Speak out for them and support indigenous-led efforts to restore their ecosystems. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Wild Water #Buffalo 🐂 of #Nepal 🇳🇵 #India 🇮🇳 and other parts of Asia are #endangered due to #deforestation #hunting there are only 3,400 of them left! Support these animals with your weekly shop #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔🧐⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/wild-water-buffalo-bubalus-arnee/

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Wild Buffaloes like most other large herbivores, require large spaces with adequate food and water supply to survive which is negatively impacted by fragmentation and degradation of forest and grassland areas.

IUCN Red List

Appearance and Behaviour

Towering and formidable, Wild Water Buffaloes are among the largest bovines on Earth. Mature bulls can weigh up to 1,200 kg, with sweeping, crescent-shaped horns that curve outward and back, often spanning more than two metres. Their coats are slate-grey to black, and their muscular frames are well adapted for traversing muddy, floodplain environments.

They are deeply dependent on water and spend much of their time wallowing in rivers, oxbow lakes, or self-made mud holes to cool down and protect themselves from insects. These highly social animals form matriarchal herds of 10 to 20 individuals, with bachelor groups and solitary bulls more common in less disturbed areas. Their movements follow seasonal changes in water availability, and they show remarkable loyalty to traditional trails, using the same routes for generations.

Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee - Asia 7
Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee - Asia 6
Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee - Asia 5
Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee - Asia 4
Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee - Asia 3
Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee - Asia 2
Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee - Asia 1

Diet

Wild Water Buffaloes are primarily grazers and feed on tall grasses such as Cynodon dactylon, Themeda quadrivalvis, and Coix species. They are also known to consume sedges like Cyperus corymbosus, herbs, bark, and crop plants including rice, jute, and sugarcane, which brings them into conflict with nearby human communities. They have also shown an ability to tolerate brackish water, giving them access to areas other species cannot utilise.

Reproduction and Mating

Wild Water Buffaloes are seasonal breeders, with most mating occurring in October and November. Gestation lasts 10 to 11 months, and females usually give birth to one calf per year. Sexual maturity is reached around 18 months for males and three years for females. Their reproductive system is polygynous, with dominant bulls mating with multiple females. In the wild, they can live up to 25 years, although most do not reach this age due to threats from humans and habitat disruption.

Geographic Range

Wild Water Buffaloes were once distributed widely across South and Southeast Asia, but today, they persist in only about 5% of their historical range. Approximately 90% of the global population is now confined to India, with two genetically distinct and geographically isolated populations—one in the northeast (Assam) and another in central India (Chhattisgarh). The central Indian population is extremely fragile, with just a handful of individuals, and is in urgent need of conservation action to prevent its extinction (Bora et al., 2024).

In Nepal, the species is now restricted to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, with a population of around 400 individuals. This reserve provides a mosaic of seasonally flooded grasslands and wetlands, offering suitable but limited habitat. Camera-trap studies confirm that Wild Water Buffaloes are increasingly clustered in the reserve’s southwestern zone, preferring low-lying grasslands with limited human interference (Bhattarai et al., 2023). The species is now extinct in Laos, Viet Nam, and Bangladesh, and its presence in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Thailand is uncertain or highly fragmented.

Wild Water Buffalo RoundGlass Sustain
Wild Water Buffalo via RoundGlass Sustain

Threats

Loss of Range and Isolation

A staggering 95% contraction in their historical distribution has left Wild Water Buffaloes clinging to survival in fragmented pockets. The central Indian population, in particular, is critically isolated and no longer viable without direct human intervention. Habitat modelling shows that suitable grassland habitats still exist, such as in Kanha National Park, but these remain unoccupied due to historical extirpation and lack of reintroduction efforts (Bora et al., 2024).

Hybridisation with Domestic Buffalo

Hybridisation remains a top threat to genetic purity. In Koshi Tappu, the proximity of domestic buffalo to wild herds—though minimal—still raises concerns about genetic introgression. Reproductive behaviour studies show that wild males may attempt to mate with nearby domestic females, undermining long-term conservation unless such risks are actively mitigated (Bhattarai et al., 2023).

Human Encroachment and Agricultural Expansion

Human encroachment and agricultural expansion continue to erode the grasslands needed by Bubalus arnee. In central India, overgrazing by livestock, road development, and conversion of alluvial plains to farmland have nearly eliminated their habitat. Even in protected areas like Koshi Tappu, disturbances such as flooding, roadkill, and poaching have impacted population stability and reproductive output (Bhattarai et al., 2023).

Low Reproductive Success and Skewed Sex Ratios

Research in Nepal has shown that although the population of Bubalus arnee has grown modestly in recent years, it is limited by low recruitment. Male-biased mortality—particularly from poaching and environmental threats—has disrupted natural sex ratios and herd structures, reducing breeding success and calf survival rates (Bhattarai et al., 2023). This creates an urgent need for better protection during calving seasons and enhanced anti-poaching patrols.

Historical and Cultural Significance of Wild Water Buffaloes

Wild Water Buffaloes have played a central role in the development of civilisations across Asia for over 6,000 years. In the Indus Valley Civilisation, they were traded with Mesopotamia, and a scribe’s seal from that time depicts the sacrifice of a buffalo. In India, the Hindu god of death, Yama, is depicted riding a water buffalo, and in some Shaktism festivals, a male buffalo is still ritually sacrificed.

In Chinese culture, the water buffalo is associated with a peaceful, contemplative lifestyle, symbolising hard work and serenity. In Vietnam and Thailand, buffalo feature prominently in folklore and agricultural festivals, including water buffalo fighting events that date back centuries. In the Philippines, the carabao—a swamp-type domestic buffalo—has become a national symbol, reflecting its role in farming and cultural heritage. The Minangkabau of West Sumatra even derive their name and architectural style from a legendary buffalo battle used to resist imperial rule.

Take Action!

The Wild Water Buffalo is more than a relic of the past—it is a living icon of Asia’s ancient riverine ecosystems. Protecting this species means defending wetlands, grasslands, and the cultures that have coexisted with these powerful animals for millennia.

Reject palm oil, demand indigenous-led agroecology, and help stop the extinction of one of the world’s last true wild bovines.

#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Wild Water Buffaloes remain?

Estimates suggest fewer than 4,000 individuals survive globally, with around 90% located in India. Nepal’s population in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve was recently estimated at around 405 animals (Subedi et al., 2023).

What’s the difference between Wild and Domestic Water Buffaloes?

Wild Water Buffaloes are larger, have broader heads, and possess distinct, sweeping horns. They are genetically distinct and more suited to wild floodplain habitats. Most domestic buffalo breeds descend from them, but hybridisation is rapidly blurring the line.

Why is species hybridisation a serious threat to Wild Water Buffaloes?

Hybridisation permanently alters the wild gene pool. It dilutes adaptive traits and may lead to the loss of behaviours or features essential for survival in the wild. Once the species is hybridised, it cannot be restored to its original form.

Do Wild Water Buffaloes make good pets?

Absolutely not. Keeping them as pets contributes directly to their extinction. These are powerful, wild animals who suffer greatly in captivity, and their removal from the wild disrupts natural herds and genetics.

How does palm oil deforestation affect Wild Water Buffaloes?

Floodplain and riverine habitats are increasingly cleared for palm oil plantations, especially in Southeast Asia. This destroys critical wallowing sites and pushes buffaloes into contact with domestic animals and humans, leading to conflict, disease, and death

You can support this beautiful animal

There are no known conservation activities for this animal. Share out this post to social media and join the #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife on social media to raise awareness

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Bora, J. K., Vardhan, V., Vijh, R. K., Deshmukh, A. V., Srinivas, Y., Mungi, N. A., Goswami, S., Jhala, H., Chauhan, J. S., et al. (2024). Evaluating the potential for reintroducing the endangered Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee) in Kanha National Park, central India. Restoration Ecology, 32(1), e14079. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.14079

Bhattarai, R. K., Joshi, R., Gautam, J., Kandel, B., & Singh, B. (2023). Reproductive behavior of Bubalus arnee (Kerr, 1792) (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Chitwan National Park, Nepal. International Journal of Zoology, 2023, Article ID 6305614. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6305614

Heinen, J. T., & Kandel, R. (2006). Threats to a small population: A census and conservation recommendations for Wild Buffalo Bubalus arnee in Nepal. Oryx, 40(3), 324–330. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605306000755

Kaul, R., Williams, A.C., rithe, k., Steinmetz, R. & Mishra, R. 2019. Bubalus arnee. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T3129A46364616. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-1.RLTS.T3129A46364616.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Subedi, A., Joshi, R., Ghimire, S., Bhatta, S., & Pokhrel, K. (2023). Exploring habitat suitability for Bubalus arnee and its interplay with domestic cattle within Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve. Journal of Animal Diversity, 5(3), 55–71. https://doi.org/10.61186/JAD.2023.5.3.6

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Water buffalo. Wikipedia. Retrieved 17 May 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_buffalo

Round Glass Sustain

Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee
Wild Water Buffalo Bubalus arnee
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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus

Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus

IUCN Status: Endangered

Locations: Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, including Penang Island)

The Malayan Forest #Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus, also known as the Pulchella Bent-toed Gecko, is a rare and highly specialised #reptile endemic to the dense rainforests of Peninsular #Malaysia. They thrive in the cool, humid understory, relying on pristine environments to survive. However, their future is in grave danger. Widespread deforestation for agriculture, including #palmoil plantations, #timber logging, and urban expansion, is tearing apart their habitat. As they vanish from the forests, so too does a crucial link in Malaysia’s delicate ecosystem. Every time you shop, use your wallet as a weapon #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

With glassy skin in vivid colours and large alien-like eyes, Malayan Forest #Geckos look striking 🦎😻 These #reptiles long for peace in the understory of #Malaysia’s #forests. Help them survive and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🧐⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/malayan-forest-gecko-cyrtodactylus-pulchellus/

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When threatened Malayan Forest #Geckos shed their tails to escape predators 🦎 They’re #endangered by the illegal #pet trade and #palmoil #deforestation in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 Campaign for their survival #BoycottPalmOil 🌴💀⛔️🙊 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/malayan-forest-gecko-cyrtodactylus-pulchellus/

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Appearance and Behaviour

This nocturnal gecko is a vision of elegance, with an elongated body cloaked in intricate patterns of earthy browns and blacks. Their skin is smooth, almost glassy in texture, with delicate markings that shift under dim moonlight. Their striking, vertical-pupilled eyes glow a deep amber, allowing them to hunt efficiently in darkness. Unlike many other geckos, they lack the sticky toe pads that enable climbing on glass; instead, they rely on sheer muscle control and strong curved claws to scale tree trunks and rocky outcrops. When threatened, they can detach their tails in a last-ditch escape effort, leaving behind a writhing distraction while they disappear into the undergrowth.

Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus close up
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus close up of face
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus turning around
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus climbing on a rock
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus climbing tree
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus close up of face
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus boycott palm oil
Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus threats

Threats

Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus threats

Continued collection of the Malaysian Forest Gecko for the pet trade poses a threat to their survival, as does continued hill side development for housing and agriculture on this heavily-developed island (L. Grismer and E. Quah pers. comm. 2017).

IUCN Red list
  • Palm Oil Deforestation and Habitat Destruction: Malaysia’s rainforests are rapidly disappearing under the pressure of industrial agriculture, including vast oil palm and durian plantations. Logging for timber and urban expansion have left their populations fragmented, forcing them into smaller, less suitable habitats.
  • Agricultural Encroachment and Pesticide Use: The spread of monoculture crops such as rubber and fruit plantations leads to pesticide contamination, which devastates insect populations and, in turn, threatens insectivorous species like the Malayan Forest Gecko.
  • Illegal Wildlife and Pet Trade: Although not as widely targeted as other reptiles, some Cyrtodactylus species are captured for the exotic pet trade, which can decimate local populations. It is important to not participate in collecting these animals as pets in the wild so that their species survives.
  • Climate Change: Increasing temperatures and altered rainfall patterns disrupt their microhabitats, making it harder for them to find shelter and food.

Diet

The Malayan Forest Gecko is a voracious insectivore, feeding on moths, crickets, beetles, spiders, and other small invertebrates. These lizards rely on ambush tactics, using their sharp vision to track movement before striking with lightning speed. Their diet plays an essential role in maintaining insect populations in their ecosystems.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about their exact breeding patterns, but like most Cyrtodactylus species, they are oviparous, laying small clutches of eggs in hidden crevices, under leaf litter, or within tree hollows. The humid rainforest climate helps incubate their eggs, which hatch after several weeks into fully formed miniature replicas of the adults.

Geographic Range

Endemic to Peninsular Malaysia, including Penang Island, this gecko has an extremely limited and fragmented range. They are mostly found in primary rainforests and undisturbed hill slopes, avoiding urban and agricultural areas.

FAQs

Why is the Malayan Forest Gecko endangered?

Their primary threat is habitat loss due to deforestation for agriculture, particularly palm oil, timber and durian plantations. Fragmentation of their habitat isolates populations, making survival increasingly difficult. Climate change and the illegal pet trade are also contributing to their decline.

Do Malayan Forest Geckos make good pets?

Absolutely not. Keeping wild-caught geckos as pets is harmful and unethical for the long term survival of this species. Many reptiles in the pet trade are illegally captured, leading to population declines and immense suffering. If you truly care about these geckos, actively campaign against their capture and protect their rainforest homes instead.

How can I help protect them?

• Boycott products containing palm oil, which drives deforestation.

• Support organisations working to protect Malaysia’s forests.

• Avoid keeping exotic pets and educate others about the dangers of wildlife trafficking.

• Demand stronger environmental protections from governments and corporations.

Take Action!

Use your purchasing power to protect rainforest species like the Malayan Forest Gecko. Every time you shop, choose ethical products and say no to deforestation—#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Further Information

Grismer, L. L., Wood, P. L., Jr., Le, M. D., Quah, E. S. H., & Grismer, J. L. (2020). Evolution of habitat preference in 243 species of Bent-toed geckos (Genus Cyrtodactylus Gray, 1827) with a discussion of karst habitat conservation. Ecology and Evolution, 10(24), 13717–13730. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.6961

Grismer, L. L., Wood, P. L. Jr., Quah, E., & Anuar, S. (2012). A phylogeny and taxonomy of the Thai-Malay Peninsula bent-toed geckos of the Cyrtodactylus pulchellus complex (Squamata: Gekkonidae): Combined morphological and molecular analyses with descriptions of seven new species. Zootaxa, 3520(1), 1–55. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3520.1.1

Kathriner, A., Bauer, A. M., O’Shea, M., & Sanchez, C. (2014). Hiding in plain sight: A new species of bent-toed gecko (Squamata: Gekkonidae: Cyrtodactylus) from West Timor, collected by Malcolm Smith in 1924. Zootaxa, 3900(4), 555–568. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3900.4.6

Quah, E. & Grismer, L. 2018. Cyrtodactylus pulchellus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T101949746A101949754. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T101949746A101949754.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Malayan forest gecko. Wikipedia, retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malayan_forest_gecko

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Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Malayan Forest Gecko Cyrtodactylus pulchellus

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Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia (Now extinct), India (now extinct)

The masked finfoot is vanishing before our eyes. Once widespread across South and #SoutheastAsia, fewer than 300 individuals remain alive. Their numbers are in freefall due to habitat destruction, rampant palm oil expansion, hydropower projects, and human disturbance (Chowdhury et al., 2020). These rare and secretive #waterbirds, with their striking black masks and vivid green lobed feet, are slipping towards #extinction.

These #birds were once found in the dense, shadowy mangroves and riverine forests from #India to #Indonesia, their final strongholds are in Bangladesh and #Cambodia. Even there, unchecked deforestation and wetland clearance threaten their survival. Conservationists warn that without urgent intervention, this species could become Asia’s next avian extinction.

Protecting the masked finfoot means protecting their vanishing wetland homes. Boycott palm oil, support wetland conservation, and demand stronger protections for Southeast Asia’s last riverine forests. Help them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Already #extinct in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 #India 🇮🇳 #Indonesia 🇮🇩 the Masked Finfoot is a unique #bird 🪿🩷 with unusual feet. #PalmOil #deforestation is a major threat. Help them when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔☠️🤢🔥🧐🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/masked-finfoot-heliopais-personatus

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Appearance and Behaviour

The masked finfoot is a medium-sized aquatic bird with a long, elegant neck, vivid green lobed feet, and a sharp, pointed beak. Their dramatic black facial mask is offset by a white eyering and lateral stripe along the neck. Their back and wings are deep chestnut brown, contrasting with a pale underbelly. Males have an entirely black chin, while females have a distinctive white chin patch.

This species moves through the water with effortless grace, gliding silently through dense mangroves and forested waterways. Unlike grebes and ducks, they are not strictly aquatic—often foraging along riverbanks for fish, crustaceans, and insects. Their lobed feet, highly adapted for both swimming and gripping wetland vegetation, allow them to navigate both water and land with ease.

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus threats
Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus
Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus
Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus boycott palm oil
Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus

Geographic Range

The main threat is the destruction and increased levels of disturbance to rivers in lowland riverine forest, driven by agricultural clearance and logging operations and increased traffic on waterways.

IUCN Red list

The masked finfoot once thrived across South and Southeast Asia, from northeast India to Indonesia. Today, their range has collapsed. The most recent global population estimate suggests only 108 to 304 individuals remain (Chowdhury et al., 2020), with confirmed breeding populations only in Bangladesh and Cambodia. Once-regular sightings in Malaysia and Thailand have all but disappeared.

Myanmar may still hold small, unrecorded populations, but large-scale deforestation and wetland destruction mean that their future there is uncertain. The species has already been wiped out from large parts of its former range. Without urgent conservation action, they may soon disappear entirely.

Diet

The masked finfoot is an opportunistic feeder, preying on a variety of aquatic and terrestrial species. Their diet consists of freshwater shrimp, large beetles, small fish, dragonfly larvae, molluscs, and amphibians. They forage both in the water and along riverbanks, gleaning insects from overhanging vegetation or catching prey just below the surface. Their lobed feet allow them to navigate both aquatic and terrestrial environments with ease.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the breeding biology of the masked finfoot due to their elusive nature. Their breeding season appears to coincide with the rainy season, from June to September in Bangladesh. They construct nests low above the water, using small sticks and reeds to form a platform. Clutch sizes range from three to seven eggs, and chicks hatch covered in dark grey down with a distinctive white spot on the tip of the beak. The young leave the nest shortly after hatching, though they remain dependent on their parents for food and protection.

Threats

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus threats

Kalimantan lost nearly 25% of its evergreen forest during 1985-1997. The impact of the major fires of 1997-1998 was patchy, with many small alluvial areas escaping damage(Fredriksson and Nijman 2004). However, such fires appear to be increasing in frequency and severity. In central Kalimantan, most remaining lowland forest is granted to logging concessions, with a negligible area currently afforded any protected status. The species was recorded in trade by TRAFFIC in 1998 when six birds were taken out of Kalimantan to Singapore(Shepherd 2000).

IUCN REd LIST

The masked finfoot faces multiple threats that have driven them to the brink of extinction.

Habitat Destruction and Palm Oil Plantations

• Lowland riverine forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations, rice fields, and other agricultural developments.

• Mangroves and wetland habitats are being drained and converted, destroying key breeding and foraging sites.

Habitat loss is the most significant driver of the masked finfoot’s decline. Without intact, undisturbed wetlands, their populations will continue to plummet.

Hydropower and Waterway Disruptions

• The construction of dams and hydropower projects alters water flow, reduces fish populations, and floods nesting sites.

• Increased boat traffic disturbs the birds and leads to habitat fragmentation.

Dams and river modifications disrupt the delicate ecosystems masked finfoots depend on, cutting them off from food sources and safe nesting sites.

Illegal Hunting and Egg Collection

• Although not a primary target for hunters, masked finfoots are occasionally hunted for food or captured opportunistically.

• Fishermen have reported taking eggs or chicks when they encounter nests.

With such a small population left, even occasional hunting and egg collection could have devastating consequences.

Climate Change and Rising Sea Levels

• Increased saltwater intrusion into wetland habitats threatens nesting trees and freshwater food sources.

• More frequent tropical storms and cyclones destroy nests and disrupt breeding seasons.

The Sundarbans population is particularly vulnerable, as climate change intensifies the frequency of severe weather events.

Pollution and Fishing Practices

• Oil spills, industrial pollution, and pesticide runoff poison water sources.

• The birds are at risk of entanglement in fishing nets, particularly in the Sundarbans.

Pollution and bycatch threaten not only the masked finfoot but many other wetland species that rely on clean rivers and estuaries.

Take Action!

The masked finfoot is on the edge of extinction. Choose 100% palm oil-free products, support wetland restoration, and demand stronger legal protections for their remaining habitats. Every decision you make as a consumer can help safeguard the future of this critically endangered species. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

FAQs

How many masked finfoots are left?

The global population is estimated to be between 108 and 304 individuals, far lower than the 600–1,700 estimate in 2009 (Chowdhury et al., 2020). With such a sharp decline, immediate conservation efforts are needed to prevent their extinction.

Where do masked finfoots live?

Historically, they were found across South and Southeast Asia. Today, breeding populations are confirmed only in Bangladesh and Cambodia. Myanmar may still have small, unrecorded populations, but the species has likely been extirpated from Malaysia and Thailand.

Why is the masked finfoot endangered?

Habitat destruction, palm oil plantations, hydropower development, hunting, and climate change are the biggest threats. Wetland clearance and deforestation have left them with almost nowhere to breed and forage.

How can we save the masked finfoot?

Boycotting palm oil, supporting wetland conservation projects, and advocating for stronger environmental protections are critical steps. Protected areas must be established, and existing habitats must be restored.

What do masked finfoots eat?

Their diet includes freshwater shrimp, insects, fish, and crustaceans. They hunt both in the water and along the riverbanks, using their lobed feet to navigate different environments.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

BirdLife International. 2016. Heliopais personatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22692181A93340327. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22692181A93340327.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Chowdhury, S. U., Yong, D. L., Round, P. D., Mahood, S., Tizard, R., & Eames, J. C. (2020). The status and distribution of the masked finfoot Heliopais personatus—Asia’s next avian extinction? Forktail, 36, 16–24. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349094908_The_status_and_distribution_of_the_Masked_Finfoot_Heliopais_personatus-Asia’s_next_avian_extinction

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d). Masked finfoot. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved March 13, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masked_finfoot

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Masked Finfoot Heliopais personatus

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Join 3,176 other subscribers

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4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

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Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Endemic to the island of Borneo, specifically in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, with potential populations in Sarawak and Sabah, Malaysia.

Bornean #Peacock #Pheasants are famous for their purple, emerald 💜💚🦜 feathers and secretive natures. Living in #Indonesia and #Malaysia, #palmoil #deforestation is a major threat. Help these #birds! #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-wV

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In central Kalimantan, habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation as a result of large-scale commercial logging (deliberately targeting all remaining stands of valuable timber including those inside protected areas), widespread clearance for plantations of rubber and oil-palm, and hunting with snares, are the main threats.

IUCN Red list

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is a rare and elusive #bird found only in #Borneo’s tropical rainforests in #Indonesia and Malaysia. They are known for their intricate iridescent plumage and secretive nature. This species faces a grave threat from out-of-control #palmoil plantations, timber logging, the illegal #pettrade and habitat destruction. #Deforestation has wiped out vast areas of their habitat, pushing this bird toward #extinction. Without urgent conservation action, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant may soon vanish forever. Take action everytime you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife to help protect this species.

Appearance and Behaviour

This species is a small, ground-dwelling bird with an extraordinary pattern of shimmering blue-green ‘eye-spots’ across its wings and tail. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, fanning their tails to attract mates. Their dark brown plumage, speckled with emerald and sapphire hues, allows them to blend into the dense forest undergrowth.

Naturally shy, these birds spend most of their time hidden in thick vegetation, foraging on the forest floor for food. They are largely solitary or found in pairs, relying on camouflage and silence to avoid predators. They are known for their soft calls but can produce loud alarm calls when threatened.

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

Threats

Palm Oil and Rubber Plantation Deforestation

The uncontrolled expansion of palm oil and rubber plantations is the primary driver of this species’ decline. Between 1985 and 1997, nearly 25% of Borneo’s evergreen forest was lost. Lowland dipterocarp forests, the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant’s primary habitat, are among the most heavily logged ecosystems in the world. As multinational corporations destroy rainforests to make way for palm oil and timber plantations, these birds are left with nowhere to live, breed, or find food.

Illegal Logging and Habitat Fragmentation

Almost all remaining lowland forests in Central Kalimantan have been allocated as logging concessions, meaning that even the last viable populations of the Bornean Peacock-Pheasant are at risk. Habitat fragmentation isolates populations, making survival even more difficult.

Hunting and Illegal Wildlife Trade

Despite their rarity, Bornean Peacock-Pheasants have been documented in the illegal pet trade. In 1998, TRAFFIC recorded at least six individuals being smuggled to Singapore for sale. As deforestation forces them into smaller, more exposed areas, they become easier targets for poachers.

Climate Change and Increasing Wildfires

Massive fires in Borneo, worsened by climate change and deforestation, continue to destroy critical habitat. The devastating 1997–1998 fires wiped out large portions of the species’ range, and these fires have only increased in frequency and severity since then.

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

Diet

Bornean Peacock-Pheasants are omnivorous, feeding on insects, seeds, fallen fruits, and small invertebrates. They forage by scratching through leaf litter, searching for hidden insects and worms. They depend on dense rainforest undergrowth, which is disappearing due to palm oil plantations and logging.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about their breeding ecology, but like other peacock-pheasants, they are believed to be monogamous. Males perform intricate displays, fanning out their eye-spotted tails while calling softly to attract a mate. Nesting likely occurs in dense undergrowth, with the female incubating a small clutch of one to two eggs.

Geographic Range

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is found only on the island of Borneo, particularly in Central Kalimantan (Indonesia), with unconfirmed sightings in Sarawak and Sabah (Malaysia). Its range is highly fragmented, with populations struggling to survive as habitat destruction accelerates.

FAQ

What is the rarest peacock-pheasant?

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is considered one of the rarest and most elusive birds in Borneo. Due to their small population size and habitat loss, sightings of this species are extremely rare.

Are peacock-pheasants loud?

Peacock-pheasants are generally quiet birds, relying on their camouflage to stay hidden. However, they can produce loud alarm calls when startled or threatened.

What is the meaning of peacock-pheasant?

The name “peacock-pheasant” comes from the male’s tail feathers, which are adorned with iridescent eye-spots similar to those of true peacocks. These tail feathers are used in elaborate courtship displays.

Do Bornean Peacock-Pheasants Make Good Pets?

No, Bornean Peacock-Pheasants (Polyplectron schleiermacheri) should never be kept as pets. These birds are wild, highly sensitive, and critically dependent on their rainforest habitat for survival. Capturing them for the pet trade contributes directly to their population decline, pushing them closer to extinction.

Unlike domesticated birds, Bornean Peacock-Pheasants have complex social structures, specialised diets, and require vast, undisturbed forest territories. Removing them from the wild causes immense stress, often leading to premature death. Many individuals die in transit or in captivity due to improper care, lack of appropriate food, or extreme distress.

Furthermore, the illegal pet trade is a serious conservation threat, often linked to habitat destruction, deforestation for palm oil, and poaching. The 1998 TRAFFIC report documented these birds being smuggled out of Kalimantan into the international market, highlighting the grim reality of wildlife trafficking (Shepherd, 2000).

If you care about Bornean Peacock-Pheasants, the best way to help is by boycotting palm oil, opposing wildlife trafficking, and supporting conservation efforts to protect their natural rainforest habitat. Every purchase you make is a vote for or against the destruction of their home. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Take Action!

The Bornean Peacock-Pheasant is on the brink of extinction due to habitat destruction driven by the palm oil industry. Every time you shop, you have the power to make a difference. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife to protect Borneo’s last remaining forests. Without urgent action, this species may disappear forever. Support indigenous-led conservation and advocate for the protection of Borneo’s rainforests before it’s too late.

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

BirdLife International. 2016. Polyplectron schleiermacheri. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679393A84694321. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679393A84694321.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Chng et. al (2000). TRAFFIC report on the trade of Bornean Peacock-Pheasants in Southeast Asia. TRAFFIC Southeast Asia. https://www.traffic.org/site/assets/files/2466/market_for_extinction_jakarta.pdf

Corder, J., & Davison, G. (2021). Captive breeding challenges posed by Malaysian and Bornean Peacock-Pheasants (Polyplectron malacense and P. schleiermacheri). Zoo Biology, 40(4), 346-351. https://doi.org/10.1002/zoo.21600

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Bornean peacock-pheasant. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 7 February 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bornean_peacock-pheasant

Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus

Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus

Endangered

Indonesia, Thailand, Sumatra

The siamang is the largest and most vocal of all gibbons, known for their spectacular morning calls that resonate across the forests of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Their complex vocalisations, amplified by a throat sac, serve as a hallmark of their species and a testament to their social bonds.

Despite their ecological importance as seed dispersers and their striking behaviours, siamangs face serious threats from deforestation, palm oil plantations, and illegal pet trade. With forest habitats shrinking rapidly, their populations continue to decline. Fight for their survival by boycotting palm oil and supporting conservation efforts. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

#Siamangs are known for their booming boisterous calls 🦍🎶 and close families. They are endangered from complex threats including #palmoil #deforestation. You can save them every time you shop #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🔥⛔️ @palmoildetect #Boycott4Wildlife https://wp.me/pcFhgU-x6

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#Siamangs are the biggest #gibbons and arguably the most excitable with a cacophony of jungle calls 🦍🎶 ✨🐵Threats include #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting. Fight for them when you #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🔥⛔️ @palmoildetect #Boycott4Wildlife https://wp.me/pcFhgU-x6

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Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 3
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 7
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 6
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 2
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 5
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 4
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 1
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus

Appearance and Behaviour

The siamang is a large, arboreal primate, weighing between 10 to 15 kg and reaching up to 90 cm in height. Their jet-black fur contrasts with their bare faces and hands, and they are easily distinguished by the large throat sac that inflates dramatically during their vocalisations. This sac can expand to the size of a grapefruit, amplifying their calls to carry over several kilometres.

Siamangs are highly social and monogamous, typically forming small family groups consisting of a mated pair and their offspring. Their complex duet calls, often performed at dawn, reinforce pair bonds and establish territory. Their long arms and powerful shoulders make them exceptional brachiators, swinging effortlessly between tree branches.

Their intelligence has been a subject of fascination; recent research suggests siamangs demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities, including problem-solving and tool use (Gibbons et al., 2023).

Geographic Range

Siamangs are native to the tropical forests of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, preferring lowland and hill forests up to 2000 metres in elevation in some areas of Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. They are most commonly found in primary and secondary forests, where they rely on continuous canopy cover for brachiation. Palm oil deforestation has confined them to protected areas such as Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra and Taman Negara National Park in Malaysia (IUCN, 2020). However, the species future in both Malaysia and Indonesia is uncertain. oil palm expansion has been identified as one of the main causes of deforestation in Peninsular Malaysia (Miyamoto et al. 2014). Also, as in Sumatra, rates of forest loss have accelerated over the last several years and are likely to range between 70-100% within the range of siamangs.

Diet

Siamangs are primarily frugivorous, with fruits making up around 60% of their diet. They also consume young leaves, flowers, and insects when fruit availability is low. By consuming fruits and dispersing seeds throughout the forest, they play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and promoting forest regeneration (Yusuf et al., 2022).

Reproduction and Mating

Siamangs are monogamous, forming lifelong bonds with their partners. After a gestation period of approximately seven months, females give birth to a single infant. Both parents are actively involved in raising their young, with males frequently carrying infants during their first year.

Young siamangs remain with their family group for up to seven years before dispersing to establish their own territories. The slow reproductive cycle, combined with low birth rates, makes their populations particularly vulnerable to decline (NePrimate Conservancy, 2024).

Threats

This species is threatened by forest conversion, mining, road construction, human encroachment and opportunistic poaching for pet trade and human consumption on Sumatra, with these threats often extending to populations in national parks and protected forests.

IUCN Red List

The siamang is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with populations continuing to decline across their range. Conservation efforts include habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and public awareness campaigns to reduce demand for palm oil and exotic pets. Protected areas such as Gunung Leuser National Park and Taman Negara are critical to their survival. Yet they are no guarantee for protection and so-called “sustainable” palm oil companies regularly and illegally expand into protected areas.

IUCN Status: Endangered

  • Palm oil and timber deforestation: Extensive deforestation for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture has destroyed vast swathes of their habitat, forcing siamangs into increasingly fragmented forests.
  • Habitat Fragmentation: The loss of continuous canopy cover limits their ability to travel, forage, and maintain genetic diversity, further isolating populations.
  • Illegal Pet Trade: Infant siamangs are often captured for the illegal pet trade, typically involving the killing of their mothers.
  • Climate Change: Altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures threaten the fruiting cycles of trees they depend on for food.
  • Population Decline: It is estimated that their population has declined by over 50% in the past four decades.

Organisations like the Gibbon Conservation Alliance work tirelessly to study and protect siamangs, advocating for stronger wildlife laws and community-led conservation initiatives. However, long-term survival requires a collective effort to address habitat destruction and curb illegal activities.

Take Action!

Protect siamangs every time you shop by boycotting palm oil. Share their story and demand stronger wildlife protections. Use your influence to make a difference. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Between 1985 and 2007 on Sumatra, over 40% of the conceivable habitat for this species was lost to fires, logging, road development and conversion to agriculture or plantations (Laumonier et al. 2010). The forests, where they remain, are extremely fragmented (Margono et al. 2012).

IUCN Red List
Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia GIF

Siamangs have no protection or conservation in place in Sumatra…

This endangered primate faces an uncertain future, most are kept as pets and very little is done to inforce the law to protect them. The outcome to this is they are kept in shocking conditions as pets in Sumatra. This female is 8 years old and has been kept in this same cage for that whole period. I gained access through a friend, this is what I witnessed. Sad thing is there are no NGO’s to help these and the other primates caught and thrown into the pet trade. There is nowhere for them to go when rescued apart from the zoo. While taking this I had to act like a tourist who was interested in Siamangs otherwise I wouldn’t have gained access to this unseen hell. Part of me wishes I hadn’t seen such torment.

Craig Jones – Wildlife Photo Journalist, Conservationist
This siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife Photography
This siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife Photography
This siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife Photography
This siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife Photography
This siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife Photography
This siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife Photography

Photos and videos: Craig Jones – Wildlife Photo Journalist, Conservationist

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Craig Jones Wildlife Photography – Sumatra Behind the Scenes

Britannica. (2024). Siamang.

Ecology Asia. (2024). Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus).

Gibbons, J. et al. (2023). Preliminary assessment of siamang cognition using digital cognition testing software and touchscreen technology.

NePrimate Conservancy. (2024). Siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus).

Nijman, V., Geissmann, T., Traeholt, C., Roos, C. & Nowak, M.G. 2020. Symphalangus syndactylus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39779A17967873. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39779A17967873.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Yusuf, E., et al. (2022). Role of siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) as seed dispersal agent in a Sumatran lowland tropical forest.

Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus - Asia 5

Siamang Symphalangus syndactylus

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Join 3,176 other subscribers

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Sipora Flying Squirrel Hylopetes sipora

Sipora Flying Squirrel Hylopetes sipora

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: Indonesia (Sipora Island, Mentawai Islands, Sumatra)

On the small, forested island of #Sipora in the Mentawai #archipelago #Indonesia the Sipora flying #squirrel Hylopetes sipora drifts silently between ancient trees. This rare squirrel is found nowhere else on earth. At night, the Sipora flying squirrel emerges from the hollows of towering trees, their large eyes scanning the dim canopy. With a sudden leap, they unfold their patagium—a membrane stretching from wrist to ankle—and glide effortlessly through the air, landing on a distant branch with barely a sound. The forests of Sipora are being cleared for #timber, charcoal and #palmoil, leaving the Sipora flying squirrel with fewer places to hide. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Sipora Flying #Squirrels are amazing gliding #mammals 🪽🦦🤎 who zip through trees on Sipora Island, #Sumatra #Indonesia 🇮🇩 They’re endangered by #deforestation from #palmoil #agriculture. Fight for them! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/sipora-flying-squirrel-hylopetes-sipora/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Sipora flying squirrel is a small, elusive rodent, their bodies are covered in soft, dense fur, typically a mottled brown or grey that blends with the shadows of the forest. Adults measure around 15 to 20 centimetres in body length, with tails nearly as long, and weigh between 50 and 100 grams. Their most striking feature is their patagiums, a broad skin flaps that help them to glide up to 50 metres between trees. This adaptation enables them to escape predators and travel efficiently through the tree canopy. The Sipora flying squirrel is strictly nocturnal, spending their days hidden in tree hollows and emerging at night to forage. Their large, dark eyes and sensitive whiskers help them navigate the dim forest, while their quiet, whistling calls and rustling movements mark their presence. They are solitary by nature, though they may share roosting sites during the day.

Threats

The habitat of the Sipora Flying Squirrel is being deforested for timber, firewood and conversion to agricultural land.

IUCN Red list

Timber and palm oil deforestation

The Sipora flying squirrel is classified as Endangered on the Red List, with the primary threat being the loss of their forest habitat. Sipora Island, covering just 845 square kilometres, is under increasing pressure from logging and palm oil deforestation. Forests are being stripped bare, replaced by fields and settlements, leaving only isolated fragments where the Sipora flying squirrel can survive.

Population fragmentation

Logging operations further fragment the remaining forest habitat of the Sipora flying squirrel. Roads and clearings cut through the forest, severing the vital connections that squirrels rely on for movement and foraging. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change.

Diet

Little is known about the diet of the Sipora flying squirrel, but like other flying squirrels, they are likely omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials, including fruits, seeds, and leaves, as well as insects and other small invertebrates. Their foraging is a quiet, nocturnal activity, carried out in the safety of the canopy. The rhythm of their feeding is woven into the life of the forest, as they play a vital role in seed dispersal and the regeneration of their ecosystem. The availability of food is closely tied to the health of the forest, and the loss of habitat threatens their ability to find enough to eat.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the reproductive habits of the Sipora flying squirrel, but related gliding squirrel species typically have one or two litters per year, with one to three young per litter. Females give birth in tree hollows or nests lined with leaves, and the young are cared for until they are able to glide and forage on their own. The mother is the primary caregiver, nursing and protecting her offspring as they grow. The family unit is tight-knit, with strong bonds between mother and young, but the pressures of habitat loss make survival increasingly difficult across generations.

Geographic Range

The Sipora flying squirrel is endemic to Sipora Island in the Mentawai archipelago, off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. Their range is limited to the forests of this single island, which covers just 845 square kilometres. The natural home range of the Sipora flying squirrel is unknown, but it is likely to be small, given the limited area of suitable habitat. Their historical range has contracted dramatically due to deforestation and human encroachment, and they are now restricted to the few remaining patches of forest on the island.

FAQs

How many Sipora flying squirrels are left?

The exact population size of the Sipora flying squirrel is unknown, but their numbers are believed to be declining due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation. The species is listed as Endangered on the Red List, and their survival is threatened by the continued destruction of their forest home. The small size of Sipora Island and the rapid pace of deforestation make the Sipora flying squirrel particularly vulnerable to extinction.

What are the characteristics of the Sipora flying squirrel?

The Sipora flying squirrel is a small, nocturnal rodent with soft, dense fur and a long, bushy tail. They measure around 15 to 20 centimetres in body length and weigh between 50 and 100 grams. Their most distinctive feature is the patagium, a flap of skin that allows them to glide between trees. The Sipora flying squirrel is strictly arboreal, spending their days in tree hollows and emerging at night to forage. They are solitary by nature, though they may share roosting sites during the day.

Where does the Sipora flying squirrel live?

The Sipora flying squirrel is found only on Sipora Island, part of the Mentawai archipelago off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. They inhabit subtropical or tropical dry forests, where they rely on the dense canopy for shelter and food. Their world is limited to this single island, and their survival is closely tied to the health of its forests.

What are the threats to the survival of the Sipora flying squirrel?

The main threats to the survival of the Sipora flying squirrel are habitat loss and fragmentation caused by logging, firewood collection, and agricultural expansion. The forests of Sipora Island are being cleared at an alarming rate, leaving only isolated patches where the squirrel can survive. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change. The disappearance of the Sipora flying squirrel’s forest home is the greatest threat to their existence.

Does the Sipora flying squirrel make a good pet?

The Sipora flying squirrel does not make a good pet. Captivity causes extreme stress, loneliness, and early death for these highly specialised forest animals. The pet trade rips families apart and fuels extinction, as animals are stolen from their natural habitat and forced into unnatural, impoverished conditions. Protecting the Sipora flying squirrel means rejecting the illegal pet trade and supporting their right to live wild and free in their forest home.

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Reject products linked to deforestation, mining, and the illegal wildlife trade. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike. Every choice matters—stand with the Sipora flying squirrel and defend the forests of Sipora Island.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Lee, B. 2016. Hylopetes sipora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10606A22243951. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T10606A22243951.en. Downloaded on 05 February 2021.

Gliding Mammals of the world

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Sipora flying squirrel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sipora_flying_squirrel

Sipora Flying Squirrel Hylopetes sipora

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Siberut Flying Squirrel Petinomys lugens

Siberut Flying Squirrel Petinomys lugens

Red List Status: Vulnerable (Red List)

Locations: Mentawai Archipelago, Indonesia: Siberut, Sipora, and North Pagai islands. The Siberut Flying Squirrel is found only on these three islands off the west coast of Sumatra, gliding through the last remnants of subtropical and tropical dry forest.

The Siberut Flying Squirrel is one of the world’s most elusive gliders, found only in the #Mentawai Archipelago’s humid forests. At dusk, the Siberut Flying Squirrel launches from high branches, spreading their soft, square-shaped patagium to drift silently between ancient trees. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and moss, and the only sound is the faint rustle of leaves as the Siberut Flying #Squirrel lands. Their world is shrinking fast—logging and #palmoil plantations are destroying the last forests on #Siberut, #Sipora, and North Pagai. No conservation actions protect the Siberut Flying Squirrel. Stand with indigenous communities and use your wallet as a weapon. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

The Siberut Flying #Squirrel 🦦🩷 is part of a rare group of gliding #mammals of #Indonesia 🇮🇩 living on islands in #Mentawai archipelago. Forests are rapidly disappearing for #palmoil. Help them to survive when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/siberut-flying-squirrel-petinomys-lugens/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Siberut Flying Squirrel is a small, nocturnal mammal with a body length of around 20–25 cm and a bushy tail nearly as long as their body. Their fur is dense and soft, with a muted brown colour that blends into the bark and shadows of the forest. The Siberut Flying Squirrel’s most remarkable feature is their gliding membrane, or patagium, which stretches from wrist to ankle and allows them to glide up to 50 metres between trees. Their large, dark eyes are adapted for night vision, and their long whiskers help them navigate in the dark. The Siberut Flying Squirrel is a silent, agile climber, using their tail as a rudder to steer and brake mid-glide. Unlike other squirrels, the Siberut Flying Squirrel rarely descends to the ground, spending almost all their life in the canopy.

Threats

The Mentawai Islands in which this species occurs are severely threatened by legal and illegal logging, conversion of commercial oil palm plantations, and product extraction by local people (Whittaker 2006).

IUCN Red list

Palm oil and logging deforestation

The Red List classifies the Siberut Flying Squirrel as Vulnerable due to rapid habitat loss across their tiny range. Logging and palm oil expansion are the main threats, destroying the last patches of forest on Siberut, Sipora, and North Pagai. Bulldozers clear ancient trees for plantations, leaving only small fragments of forest for the Siberut Flying Squirrel to survive. Even protected areas are under threat, and the Siberut Flying Squirrel has no legal protection or conservation actions in place. As the forest disappears, the Siberut Flying Squirrel faces an uncertain future, with nowhere left to glide (Clayton & Kennerley, 2016).

Habitat fragmentation and population collapse

Forest loss has split the Siberut Flying Squirrel’s habitat into isolated fragments. The Siberut Flying Squirrel is now found only in a few remaining patches, and populations are declining as trees fall and corridors vanish. Fragmentation increases the risk of inbreeding and local extinction, especially as the Siberut Flying Squirrel cannot easily cross open ground. Without urgent action, the Siberut Flying Squirrel may disappear from entire islands (Clayton & Kennerley, 2016).

Diet

The Siberut Flying Squirrel feeds on a variety of seeds, fruits, leaves, and possibly insects, foraging at night among the highest branches. Their sharp teeth crack open tough seeds, and their sensitive nose helps them locate ripe fruit in the darkness. The Siberut Flying Squirrel’s diet may shift with the seasons, depending on what the shrinking forest can provide (Palm Oil Detectives, 2021).

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the Siberut Flying Squirrel’s reproduction. Like other flying squirrels, they likely nest in tree hollows or dense foliage, raising one or two young at a time. The Siberut Flying Squirrel’s young are born helpless and depend on their mother for warmth and protection until they can glide and forage on their own. The Siberut Flying Squirrel’s secretive habits and shrinking population make it difficult for researchers to study their breeding in the wild (Clayton & Kennerley, 2016).

Geographic Range

The Siberut Flying Squirrel is endemic to the Mentawai Archipelago, Indonesia, and is found only on Siberut, Sipora, and North Pagai islands. Their range is limited to subtropical and tropical dry forests, which are rapidly disappearing due to logging and palm oil expansion. The Siberut Flying Squirrel’s habitat is now highly fragmented, and their populations are declining on all three islands (Clayton & Kennerley, 2016).

FAQs

How does the Siberut Flying Squirrel glide?

The Siberut Flying Squirrel uses a furry membrane called a patagium, stretching from their wrists to ankles, to glide between trees. They leap from high branches, spread their limbs, and steer with small movements of their legs and tail. The Siberut Flying Squirrel can glide up to 50 metres in a single leap, using their tail as a rudder to control direction and speed. This adaptation allows the Siberut Flying Squirrel to move efficiently through the canopy without descending to the ground, where they would be vulnerable to predators (Palm Oil Detectives, 2021).

Why is the Siberut Flying Squirrel threatened by palm oil?

Palm oil plantations are replacing the Siberut Flying Squirrel’s natural forest habitat. As forests are cleared for palm oil, the Siberut Flying Squirrel loses the trees they need for gliding, nesting, and feeding. The Siberut Flying Squirrel cannot survive in monoculture plantations and is forced into ever-smaller fragments of forest. Without urgent action to protect and restore their habitat, the Siberut Flying Squirrel faces extinction (Clayton & Kennerley, 2016).

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology in the Mentawai Islands. Fight for the Siberut Flying Squirrel’s survival every time you shop.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

IUCN Rating vulnerable

Clayton, E. & Kennerley, R. 2016. Petinomys lugens. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16737A22242011. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16737A22242011.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Gliding Mammals of the world

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Siberut flying squirrel. Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siberut_flying_squirrel

Wilson, D. E., Lacher, T. E. Jr., & Mittermeier, R. A. (2016). Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Lynx Edicions. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6818840

Siberut Flying Squirrel Petinomys lugens

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support

Woolly Flying Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus

Woolly Flying Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Pakistan, India, Bhutan

The Western Woolly Flying #Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus is one of the world’s largest and least understood gliding mammals. Once thought extinct for nearly 70 years, they were rediscovered in the remote mountainous forests of northern #Pakistan and #India in 1994. This remarkable species inhabits high-altitude cliffs and coniferous forests, where they glide with effortless grace between trees despite their large size. However, their survival is under severe threat from habitat destruction, #deforestation, and human persecution. Help them by sharing out this campaign and calling out exploitative industries, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

The fluffy and rare Woolly Flying #Squirrel 🦦🌳 glides 100s of metres in forests of #Pakistan 🇵🇰 and #India 🇮🇳They’re #endangered by #deforestation and human persecution 😿 Help them to survive and #Boycott4Wildlife industries destroying their home https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/woolly-flying-squirrel-eupetaurus-cinereus/

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This squirrel is threatened by forest loss due to logging and agricultural conversion.This species is threatened by habitat loss due to large-scale clear-cutting of forests (Zahler and Woods 1997). It is also threatened to a lesser extent by expansion of agriculture, small-scale logging, infrastructure development, and human settlements (Molur et al. 2005).

IUCN Red list

A Phantom of the High Himalayas

For decades, the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel was little more than a legend—known only from a handful of 19th-century specimens. Weighing up to 2.5 kg and measuring over a metre in total length, they are among the largest gliding mammals. Their long, thick fur gives them a distinctively woolly appearance, helping them withstand the harsh conditions of their mountain habitat.

Their ability to glide is no less impressive than smaller flying squirrels, despite their size. These elusive creatures live in some of the world’s most inaccessible terrain, high in the Himalayas, where they navigate steep cliffs and deep valleys. But despite their extraordinary adaptations, human activity is pushing them towards extinction.

#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop.

Appearance and Behaviour

Western Woolly Flying Squirrels are covered in dense, greyish fur that gives them a shaggy, woolly look—unlike their recently discovered relatives, which have a more reddish-brown coat. Their long, bushy tails provide stability in flight, while their large, gliding membranes stretch between their limbs, allowing them to soar effortlessly through their rugged forest home.

They are highly specialised for life at extreme altitudes, found in conifer forests and rocky outcrops above 3,500 metres. Unlike many other flying squirrels, they have powerful jaw muscles and high-crowned teeth, adaptations that allow them to feed on tough conifer needles.

Diet

Unlike other flying squirrels that rely on nuts and fruits, the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel primarily feeds on pine needles. Their unique dental structure enables them to consume this fibrous diet, which is otherwise difficult to digest. They also contribute to the formation of shilajit—a resin-like substance prized in traditional medicine—through the accumulation of their faeces, urine, and shed hair in rocky crevices over centuries.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the breeding habits of the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel. Their remote and inaccessible habitat makes long-term observation nearly impossible. However, like other flying squirrels, they likely give birth to small litters of offspring, raising their young in cliffside nests or tree hollows. Further research is needed to understand their reproductive behaviour and population dynamics.

Geographic Range

Once thought to be extinct, the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel was rediscovered in the 1990s in northern Pakistan, specifically in the Gilgit-Baltistan region, including Chitral, Astor, and Skardu. They have since been recorded in the Upper Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in Uttarakhand, India, and Jigme Dorji National Park in Bhutan. The species’ preference for steep, forested cliffs makes their range extremely fragmented and vulnerable to disturbance.

Woolly Flying Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus

Threats

• Deforestation – Large-scale logging operations are rapidly destroying their coniferous forest habitat.

• Human expansion – Agricultural expansion, infrastructure projects, and human settlements are encroaching on their high-altitude forests.

• Habitat fragmentation – Roads and development projects disrupt their ability to glide between trees and find suitable nesting sites.

• Hunting and poaching – Although not commonly targeted, they may be hunted for their fur or as a perceived pest.

Take Action!

Protecting the Western Woolly Flying Squirrel requires urgent action to preserve their high-altitude forest habitat. You can help by:

• Avoiding products linked to deforestation, including palm oil and unsustainable timber.

• Supporting conservation efforts focused on protecting the Himalayan ecosystem.

• Raising awareness about the importance of preserving one of the world’s rarest flying squirrels. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

FAQs

How many Western Woolly Flying Squirrels are left in the wild?

Their exact population size is unknown due to their remote habitat and elusive nature, but their numbers are believed to be declining due to habitat loss.

How long do Western Woolly Flying Squirrels live?

There is no confirmed data on their lifespan in the wild, but other large flying squirrels live around 10–15 years.

Are Western Woolly Flying Squirrels good pets?

No. These animals are highly specialised for life in extreme mountain environments and would not survive in captivity. Additionally, removing them from the wild would further endanger their fragile populations.

How far can they glide?

Though not well documented, similar-sized flying squirrels can glide over 100 metres. Their adaptations suggest they are capable of covering long distances between trees and cliffs.

Why are they so rare?

They live in one of the most remote and inaccessible regions in the world. Their preference for steep cliffs and high-altitude forests makes them extremely difficult to find and study.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Gliding Mammals of the world

Jackson, S. M., et al. (2021). Across the great divide: revision of the genus Eupetaurus (Sciuridae: Pteromyini), the woolly flying squirrels of the Himalayan region, with the description of two new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. https://doi.org/10.1093/zoolinnean/zlab018

Zahler, P. 2010. Eupetaurus cinereus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2010: e.T8269A12904144. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2010-2.RLTS.T8269A12904144.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Woolly Flying Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

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Mentawi Flying Squirrel Iomys sipora

Mentawi Flying Squirrel Iomys sipora

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: Indonesia (Mentawai Islands: Sipura and North Pagai)

The #Mentawi Flying #Squirrel (Iomys sipora), endemic to the remote Mentawai Islands of Indonesia, is a rare and elusive species that glides effortlessly through the dense tropical canopy. Unlike their more widespread relatives, these unique flying squirrels are confined to just two islands, #Sipura and North Pagai, where they depend entirely on the survival of lowland primary forests. With velvety fur, large nocturnal eyes, and a patagium—an outstretched skin membrane allowing them to glide between trees—these squirrels are adapted to a life above the ground. However, relentless deforestation for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture has devastated their habitat, putting them at serious risk of extinction. Despite repeated surveys, including a 1991 study by the National Museum of #Indonesia, sightings of Iomys sipora are alarmingly rare, raising fears that their population may be critically low—or even lost. With no conservation measures in place, urgent action is needed to prevent their disappearance. Boycott #deforestation-linked products and support indigenous-led conservation. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Gliding between trees in #Indonesia 🇮🇩with effortless grace, the Mentawi Flying #Squirrel 🦦is a sight to behold. They need #rainforest to survive. #PalmOil is a threat, make sure you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔💀🤮🧐🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/mentawi-flying-squirrel-iomys-sipora/

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This squirrel is threatened by forest loss due to logging and agricultural conversion.

IUCN Red list

Appearance and Behaviour

The world’s gliding mammals are an extraordinary group of animals that have the ability to glide from tree to tree with seemingly effortless grace. There are more than 60 species of gliding mammals including the flying squirrels from Europe and North America, the scaly-tailed flying squirrels from central Africa and the gliding possums of Australia and New Guinea.

The Mentawi Flying Squirrel is a striking and little-documented species with dense, velvety fur ranging from reddish-brown to deep grey. Their large, round eyes are adapted for night vision, enabling them to forage under the cover of darkness. A defining feature of this species is its patagium— a thin membrane of skin stretching between its limbs—that allows them to glide through the air with remarkable agility. This natural adaptation enables them to travel between trees without descending to the forest floor, avoiding predators while seeking food. Despite their impressive gliding ability, their dependence on intact rainforest means they struggle to survive in fragmented landscapes, making habitat loss a critical threat.

Threats

The Mentawi Flying Squirrel lives in primary forests up to 500 m. Habitat loss on the two islands represents a major threat to this lowland species.

Palm Oil Deforestation and Habitat Destruction

The Mentawai Islands are experiencing rapid deforestation, with lowland primary forests being cleared for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture. Iomys sipora relies entirely on undisturbed rainforest, and the loss of old-growth trees has significantly reduced available nesting sites and food sources. Once widespread, they are now found in just two fragmented locations, and their numbers are declining.

Illegal Wildlife Trade Extirpation

A 1991 survey failed to locate any individuals, raising concerns that populations may already be critically low or locally extinct. Habitat degradation and fragmentation mean that surviving populations are likely small and isolated, making recovery efforts increasingly difficult.

Agricultural Expansion and Infrastructure

Beyond palm oil, the Mentawai Islands face destruction from logging, rubber plantations, and road development, which further degrade the remaining habitat. Unlike more adaptable rodents, these flying squirrels cannot survive in secondary forests, making primary forest loss particularly devastating.

Climate Change and Extreme Weather Patterns

Climate change is altering rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures, which could further threaten this species’ delicate forest ecosystem. Rising temperatures may also affect fruiting seasons, reducing their food supply and further impacting their already struggling population.

Diet

Like other flying squirrels, Iomys sipora is primarily herbivorous, feeding on a mix of fruits, seeds, leaves, and flowers. Their diet plays a vital role in seed dispersal, helping regenerate their native rainforest. They rely on old-growth trees, which provide an abundance of food sources, but as these trees are felled, their dietary options become severely limited.

Reproduction and Mating

Due to the extreme rarity of Iomys sipora, very little is known about their reproductive habits. However, they are presumed to be solitary nesters, using tree hollows to raise their young. Like other flying squirrels, females likely give birth to one or two pups per litter, which remain dependent on their mothers until they develop the ability to glide and forage independently. The loss of old-growth trees also removes critical nesting sites, impacting their reproductive success and ability to recover from population losses.

Geographic Range

The Mentawi Flying Squirrel is restricted to two islands in Indonesia:

• Sipura Island

• North Pagai Island

Both islands are part of the Mentawai Archipelago, located off the coast of Sumatra. Their habitat is limited to lowland tropical primary forests below 500 metres above sea level, an ecosystem rapidly disappearing due to human activity.

FAQs

Why is the Mentawi Flying Squirrel endangered?

This species is classified as endangered due to its highly restricted range and ongoing deforestation. Logging, palm oil plantations, and habitat destruction have driven it to the brink, with no known conservation measures in place to protect its remaining populations.

Do Mentawi Flying Squirrels make good pets?

No. The illegal pet trade has devastating effects on wildlife, and keeping a Mentawi Flying Squirrel as a pet would contribute to their decline. These animals are highly specialised and cannot survive in captivity, often dying due to stress or inadequate care. Removing individuals from the wild further destabilises already fragile populations. If you care about their survival, support habitat protection and never purchase exotic pets.

How does palm oil impact the Mentawi Flying Squirrel?

Palm oil plantations are a primary driver of deforestation in Indonesia, replacing biodiverse rainforests with monoculture wastelands that provide no habitat for native species. These plantations have destroyed much of the Mentawai Islands’ primary forest, leaving little space for this already endangered species. Boycotting palm oil products is a direct way to protect their habitat.

How can we protect the Mentawi Flying Squirrel?

The most important conservation efforts include:

• Protecting remaining old-growth forests on the Mentawai Islands.

• Supporting indigenous-led conservation efforts, which are crucial for preserving biodiversity.

• Boycotting palm oil and timber products linked to deforestation.

• Encouraging reforestation projects in degraded areas to restore lost habitat.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

ICUN endangered logo

Gliding Mammals of the world

Lee, B. 2016. Iomys sipora (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10846A115099877. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T10846A22249119.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Ruedas, L., Duckworth, J. W., Lee, B., & Tizard, R. J. (2008). Iomys sipora. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Retrieved from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8317177/.

Wikipedia. (2024). Mentawi Flying Squirrel. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mentawi_flying_squirrel.

Mentawi Flying Squirrel Iomys sipora

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

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Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni

Red List Status: Vulnerable

Locations: Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia (Borneo, Belitung Island, Riau Islands), Myanmar (southern regions), Brunei

In #Borneo’s twilight, the Vordermann’s flying #squirrel emerges from her nest, resplendent with orange cheeks and black-ringed eyes. This small, #nocturnal #mammal is a master of the rainforest canopy. They use an ingenious membrane called a patagium to effortlessly glide between trees. A flying squirrel’s world is one of constant motion and quiet vigilance. Don’t let this world disappear! The forests that sustain them are vanishing at an alarming rate. Palm oil-driven deforestation, logging, and land conversion are tearing through their habitat, leaving only fragmented forest. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Vordermann’s Flying #Squirrels 🪽🦦🤎 are spectacular gliding #mammals of #Borneo who are #vulnerable due to #palmoil #deforestation in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 and #Indonesia 🇮🇩 Support them and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/vordermanns-flying-squirrel-petinomys-vordermanni/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is one of the smallest flying squirrels, with a head and body length of 92–120 millimetres and a tail of equal length, weighing between 22 and 52 grams. Their fur is a striking mix of black with rusty tips, and their underparts are a soft, rusty white. Each eye is ringed with black, and their orange cheeks and tufts of whiskers beneath the ears give them a distinctive, expressive face. The squirrel’s patagium—a skin flap between the limbs is like an airborne sail. Meanwhile their flattened bushy tail is akin to an airborne rudder helping them with precise movements through the air.

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is strictly nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days hidden in tree holes and emerging at night to forage and glide. They are agile climbers, using their sharp claws and keen senses to navigate the dense canopy. Their glides are silent and graceful, covering distances of several metres between trees. The squirrel’s world is one of constant movement and quiet communication, with little known about their social structure or vocalisations. Their nests are typically found 0.3 to 6 metres above the ground, often in partially cut primary forest, secondary forest, or forest bordering swamps.

Threats

This squirrel is threatened by forest loss due to logging and agricultural conversion.

IUCN Red list

Palm oil and other industrial agriculture

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is classified as Vulnerable on the Red List, with habitat loss the primary threat to their survival. Across Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra, forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations and agricultural expansion. These industrial-scale operations strip away the dense, multi-layered vegetation that the squirrel depends on for food and shelter. The once-continuous canopy is reduced to isolated patches, forcing squirrels into ever-smaller territories and increasing competition for resources.

Roads, infrastructure and timber logging

Logging operations further fragment the remaining forest habitat of Vordermann’s flying squirrel. Roads and clearings cut through the forest, severing the connections that squirrels rely on for movement and foraging. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change. In many areas, only small, isolated groups of squirrels remain, cut off from neighbouring populations by expanses of cleared land.

Hunting and illegal pet trade

While hunting and the illegal pet trade are not explicitly cited as major threats for Vordermann’s flying squirrel in current literature, the broader context of wildlife exploitation in Southeast Asia raises concerns. Any increase in human activity and access to remote forests could put additional pressure on this already vulnerable species.

Climate change and pollution

Climate change adds further pressure, altering rainfall patterns and the availability of food. The squirrel’s world is becoming hotter, drier, and less predictable, with the forests they depend on shrinking year by year. Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, can destroy habitat and isolate populations even further. Pollution from mining and agriculture can poison rivers and soil, further degrading the squirrel’s environment.

Diet

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials, including fruits, seeds, leaves, and bark, as well as insects and other small invertebrates. Their foraging is a quiet, nocturnal activity, carried out in the safety of the canopy. The rhythm of their feeding is woven into the life of the forest, as they play a vital role in seed dispersal and the regeneration of their ecosystem. The availability of food is closely tied to the health of the forest, and the loss of habitat threatens their ability to find enough to eat.

Reproduction and Mating

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is monogamous, with each female mating with a single male. Breeding occurs seasonally, typically in the spring months of February and March, and can extend into April. Females give birth to one to three young per litter, usually in tree holes. The gestation period and time to weaning are not well documented, but in similar species, mothers provide food and milk for several weeks until the young are able to forage on their own. Cooperative breeding may occur, with other group members assisting in the care of the young, but the exact social structure of Vordermann’s flying squirrel remains poorly understood.

Geographic Range

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is found in the lowland rainforests of southern Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Indonesian islands of Belitung and Riau. Their habitat includes primary and secondary forests, orchards, rubber plantations, and forests bordering swamps. The squirrel’s historical range has contracted due to deforestation and human encroachment, and they are now restricted to the few remaining patches of suitable habitat. The sounds of Vordermann’s flying squirrel—rustling leaves and silent glides—are now heard in fewer and fewer places.

FAQs

How many Vordermann’s flying squirrels are left?

There are no precise population estimates for Vordermann’s flying squirrel, but their numbers are believed to be declining due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the Red List, with a suspected population decline of more than 30% over three generations. The squirrel’s survival is threatened by the continued destruction of their forest home.

What are the characteristics of Vordermann’s flying squirrel?

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is one of the smallest flying squirrels, with a head and body length of 92–120 millimetres and a weight of 22–52 grams. They have striking black fur with rusty tips, a white underside, and distinctive orange cheeks with black rings around their eyes. Their flattened, bushy tail and patagium allow them to glide silently through the forest canopy. Vordermann’s flying squirrel is strictly nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days in tree holes and emerging at night to forage.

Where does the Vordermann’s flying squirrel live?

Vordermann’s flying squirrel is found in the lowland rainforests of southern Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Indonesian islands of Belitung and Riau. They inhabit primary and secondary forests, orchards, rubber plantations, and forests bordering swamps. Their historical range has contracted due to deforestation and human encroachment, and they are now restricted to the few remaining patches of suitable habitat.

What are the threats to the survival of the Vordermann’s flying squirrel?

The main threats to the survival of Vordermann’s flying squirrel are habitat loss and fragmentation caused by palm oil-driven deforestation, logging, and agricultural expansion. The forests of Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra are being cleared at an alarming rate, leaving only isolated patches where the squirrel can survive. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change. Climate change and pollution add further pressure, altering the availability of food and shelter.

Do Vordermann’s flying squirrels make a good pets?

Vordermann’s flying squirrels most definitely do not make good pets. Captivity causes extreme stress, loneliness, and early death for these highly specialised forest animals. The illegal pet trade rips families apart and fuels extinction, as animals are stolen from their natural habitat and forced into unnatural, impoverished conditions. Protecting Vordermann’s flying squirrel means rejecting the illegal pet trade and supporting their right to live wild and free in their forest home.

Take Action!

Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Reject products linked to deforestation, mining, and the illegal wildlife trade. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike. Every choice matters—stand with Vordermann’s flying squirrel and defend the forests of Southeast Asia.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

IUCN Rating vulnerable

Clayton, E. 2016. Petinomys vordermanni (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16740A115139026. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T16740A22241246.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Gliding Mammals of the world

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vordermann’s flying squirrel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vordermann%27s_flying_squirrel

Wilson, D. E., Lacher, T. E., & Mittermeier, R. A. (2016). Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Lynx Edicions. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6840226

Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

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Northern Glider Petaurus abidi

Northern Glider Petaurus abidi

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Papua New Guinea – Torricelli Mountains

Northern Gliders are rare gliding #mammals 🪂🧐🩷 critically endangered in #PapuaNewGuinea #WestPapua. Support them and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife because many supermarket brands are sending them #extinct for dirty #palmoil @palmoildetect.bsky.social https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/northern-glider-petaurus-abidi-2/

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The Northern Glider is a Critically Endangered species of gliding #marsupial found only in the Torricelli Mountains of #PapuaNewGuinea. First described in 1981, they remain one of the rarest and least studied members of the Petauridae family. Their population is in steep decline due to deforestation, habitat destruction for #palmoil, and #hunting for #bushmeat. With an estimated range of less than 100 square kilometres, the Northern Glider is at extreme risk of #extinction unless urgent conservation efforts are made to protect their habitat. Take action and resist for this species every time you shop and go #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket.

Appearance and Behaviour

The Northern Glider is a medium-sized gliding mammal and a marsupial with soft, silky fur. Their upper body is grey, with a paler underside and a distinctive dark stripe that runs from their head down their back to the base of their tail. They weigh between 228 and 332 grams and have shorter ears and smaller claws than some of their close relatives. These gliders are nocturnal and arboreal, using the skin flaps between their limbs to glide between trees as they search for food.

Gliding mammals of Papua include:

Diet

Very little is known about their diet, but they are believed to feed on vines, epiphytic ferns, and leaves from various tropical plants. Like other gliders, they likely play an important role in their ecosystem by aiding seed dispersal.

Reproduction and Mating

Research on the breeding habits of these flying squirrels is limited, but they are presumed to give birth to one or two young at a time, similar to other members of their genus. Further study is needed to understand their reproductive cycles and population trends.

Northern Glider Petaurus abidi
Northern Glider Petaurus abidi
Northern Glider Petaurus abidi
Northern Glider Petaurus abidi

Geographic Range

The Northern Glider is known only from Mount Somoro, and adjacent areas, in the Torricelli Mountains of north-western Papua New Guinea. This species has been found in primary, mid-montane tropical moist forests. They are known from rural gardens close to forest (Flannery 1995).

The Northern Glider is a part of a unique range of gliding mammals. Northern Gliders are endemic to the Torricelli Mountains in northwestern Papua New Guinea. Their total range is estimated to be less than 100 square kilometres, making them highly vulnerable to habitat destruction and fragmentation.

Threats

The Northern Glider is threatened by heavy deforestation due to human encroachment (i.e., conversion to gardens), and by hunting for meat by local people.

IUCN Red list
  • Palm oil and Timber Deforestation: Large swathes of their habitat are being cleared for palm oil and timber agriculture and human settlements.
  • Hunting: They are hunted for food by local communities, putting additional pressure on their already declining population.
  • Habitat Fragmentation: Forest clearing has led to isolated populations, reducing their chances of long-term survival.

Take Action

Protecting forests is critical to ensuring the Northern Glider has a future in the wild. Support conservation efforts and call for stronger protections against palm oil deforestation in Papua New Guinea. Resist and fight for their survival each time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

iucn-rating-critically-endangered

Leary, T., Wright, D., Hamilton, S., Singadan, R., Menzies, J., Bonaccorso, F., Salas, L., Dickman, C. & Helgen, K. 2016. Petaurus abidi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16726A21959298. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T16726A21959298.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.

Ziegler, A. C. (1981). Petaurus abidi, a new species of glider (Marsupialia: Petauridae) from Papua New Guinea. Australian Mammalogy, 4(2), 81–88. https://doi.org/10.1071/AM81002

Gliding Mammals of the world

Northern Glider Petaurus abidi

Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM

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How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?

Take Action in Five Ways

1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Join 3,176 other subscribers

2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.

3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.

https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20

4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.

5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here

Pledge your support