Extant (resident): Cambodia; Laos; Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia); Myanmar; Thailand
Possibly Extinct: China; Vietnam
The Large-spotted Civet is an elusive and mysterious nocturnal carnivore of Southeast Asia. They are recognised for their large black spots on a greyish-buff coat and play an essential role in the health of their ecosystems. Preferring lowland forests and wetlands, they are elusive and rarely sighted. Unfortunately, habitat destruction for palm oil, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade have contributed to their decline, with the species now classified as Endangered. Their predicted population decline is more than 50% over three generations. To protect the Large-spotted Civet, boycott products linked to deforestation and palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to fight for their survival. #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife
Large-spotted Civets have a distinctive appearance, featuring black spots on their sides and thighs, with black legs and a tail adorned with 4–5 bands. Their elongated face and sturdy build allow them to adapt to various habitats.
Primarily nocturnal, they are solitary animals that forage on the ground. Their diet includes small vertebrates, insects, and fruits, helping maintain a balance in their ecosystems. Large-spotted Civets are also known for their secretive nature, making them challenging to study.
Geographic Range
Large-spotted Civets are native to Southeast Asia, found in Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), Myanmar, and Thailand. They are believed to be extinct in China and Vietnam due to habitat loss. Their preferred habitats include lowland forests, wetlands, and riverine areas, but these environments are increasingly fragmented.
Diet
Large-spotted Civets are omnivorous. Their diet consists of small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and fruits. As ground foragers, they play an important role in controlling prey populations and dispersing seeds.
Reproduction and Mating
Little is known about the reproductive behaviour of Large-spotted Civets due to their elusive nature. Like other civet species, they are believed to have seasonal breeding, with females giving birth to litters after a gestation period. Detailed studies are needed to understand their mating systems, gestation length, and parental care.
Threats
The Large-spotted Civet is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with populations continuing to decline. Conservation measures include habitat protection, anti-poaching initiatives, and community education to reduce hunting pressures. However, the species remains poorly understood, underscoring the need for further research.
IUCN Status: Endangered
• Habitat Loss: Deforestation for agriculture, palm oil plantations, and urban expansion has fragmented their habitats.
• Hunting and Trade: They are hunted for their meat and body parts used in traditional medicine.
• Limited Range: With a restricted geographic range and shrinking habitats, they are vulnerable to environmental changes.
Take Action!
Protect the Large-spotted Civet by boycotting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to support ethical and eco-friendly choices. Share their story and fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
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
Timmins, R., Duckworth, J.W., WWF-Malaysia, Roberton, S., Gray, T.N.E., Willcox, D.H.A., Chutipong, W. & Long, B. 2016. Viverra megaspila. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T41707A45220097. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T41707A45220097.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
ResearchGate. (2020). Camera-trap photographs of Viverra megaspila. Retrieved from ResearchGate
Thai National Parks. (n.d.). Large-spotted Civet. Retrieved from Thai National Parks
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Large-spotted Civet. Retrieved from Wikipedia
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If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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With their glistening golden crescent chest markings, these bears embody uniqueness and bold beauty. Despite their tenacity, palm oil and timber deforestation is an unmatched threat to their survival. They are now vulnerable from this and other threats and have lost 50-80% of their range. Help to protect them and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket!
Deforestation rates and reported high volumes of hunting and trade throughout the Sun Bear range form the basis for this assessment. Sun Bears are forest dependent species, and, thus area of forest loss is directly linked with population decline.
IUCN red list
Behaviour and appearance
Sun bears exhibit a fascinating array of behaviors and possess distinct physical traits. Their sleek, jet-black fur is complemented by a distinctive golden crescent marking on their chest. This has earned them the endearing moniker of “sun bear.” Every sun bear has a unique configuration of markings, much like a fingerprint – no two are completely the same.
Despite their diminutive size, these bears boast powerful jaws and long, curved claws adapted for climbing trees with remarkable agility. Their long tongues help them to prise out fruits, insects, small vertebrates, and honey from the rainforest canopy. Sun bears are solitary creatures, except during the mating season or when mothers are raising their cubs.
Geographic range
Sun bears are indigenous to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. They inhabit a wide geographical range spanning from eastern India through Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Indonesia, including the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Their presence in these biodiverse regions underscores their critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity. However, rampant deforestation and habitat fragmentation threaten the survival of sun bear populations across their range, necessitating urgent conservation measures to safeguard these iconic creatures and their forest habitats for generations to come.
Major threats to Sun Bears
Forest Loss in Southeast Asia due to Palm Oil Expansion:
Southeast Asia has experienced a higher relative rate of forest loss over the past 30 years than any other part of the world, primarily driven by palm oil plantation expansion.
Shrinking habitats in China, Bangladesh, and Vietnam, with projections of a 50–80% decline in Vietnam’s sun bear population in the next 30 years.
Habitat fragmentation observed, particularly in Borneo and Sumatra, as forests are cleared for palm oil cultivation.
Isolated habitat patches in southern Myanmar, central Thailand, southern Cambodia, and southern Vietnam signify further fragmentation caused by palm oil development and other agriculture and mining.
Continued Deforestation and Degradation:
Deforestation and habitat degradation persist due to ongoing palm oil expansion, posing sustained threats to sun bear populations.
Loss of forest cover exacerbates habitat fragmentation, increasing vulnerability to extinction.
Persistent Trade in Bears and Bear Parts:
Illegal poaching and trade in sun bears and their parts remain prevalent, driven partly by habitat destruction for palm oil.
The palm oil industry’s impact on sun bear habitats contributes to population decline and poses a significant threat to sun bears across their range.
Ominous Future Outlook:
The combined effects of palm oil-driven forest loss, fragmentation, and trade present a dire future for sun bears.
Urgent conservation efforts targeting palm oil-related deforestation are essential to prevent further decline and secure the future of sun bear populations.
An emaciated sun bear desperately searches for food on a palm oil plantation
“We were surprised. None of us have ever seen anything like it,” said one worker, reported by the Borneo Post, Sunday, February 1, 2015. According to the workers, this animal crawls, has sharp claws. “When we came to our senses, we chased him back into the forest,” he said. Meanwhile, regarding this discovery, a spokesman for the Sarawak Forestry Corporation told The Sunday Post that based on observations, it is very likely that the strange animal belonged to the sun bear species. Characterized by a black nose, long claws, and a body shape that is almost similar. However, due to illness, the bear’s body became strange.
Scotson, L., Fredriksson, G., Augeri, D., Cheah, C., Ngoprasert, D. & Wai-Ming, W. 2017. Helarctos malayanus (errata version published in 2018). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T9760A123798233. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T9760A45033547.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
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More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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The vividly colourful and cheeky yellow-handed mitered langur Presbytis melalophos are native to Sumatra, Indonesia. They are severely threatened by deforestation and logging due to the palm oil, mining and timber industries. Agricultural expansion for palm oil plantations has caused massive habitat loss and fragmentation throughout their range, while illegal hunting further endangers their population. Take action and use your wallet as a weapon. Boycott all palm oil products to help protect them to survive and advocate for palm oil free alternatives. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
There has been extensive loss of habitat, especially for oil palm plantations, and this is a serious threat. However, the species has some tolerance to forest conversion, but not to complete replacement of forests. Although forest loss has probably exceeded 70% over 30 years approximately, the population is suspected to have declined by over 50% in 3 generations (36 years) and continues to decline.
IUCN Red List
Social Structure: These small monkeys live in small groups led by a dominant male, typically including females and their offspring, with social bonds that involve grooming and communication through vocalizations.
Communication: They use a variety of vocal calls and facial expressions to convey messages, warn of predators, or maintain group cohesion.
Diet: Primarily folivorous, they feed on leaves, fruits, and flowers, often selecting new shoots and young leaves high in nutritional value.
Locomotion: Agile and swift in trees, they leap and brachiate among branches, exhibiting impressive acrobatic skills.
Distinctive Appearance: Their bright yellow hands contrast with their grayish fur, making them easily distinguishable from other langurs.
Threats
Deforestation: Large-scale logging and conversion of forests to palm oil and timber agriculture has massively reduced their range.
Agricultural Expansion: Plantations, particularly for palm oil have replaced native forests, leading to habitat fragmentation.
Hunting: They are hunted for bushmeat or to be kept as pets.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human activities encroach on their habitat, conflicts can arise, leading to their injury or death.
Infrastructure Development: Roads and infrastructure projects fragment habitats, isolating populations and reducing genetic diversity.
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More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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Thomas’s Langur, also known as the North Sumatran Leaf #Monkey is famous for their bold facial stripes giving them a handsome profile. These monkeys are endemic to the lush forests of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Listed as Vulnerable by the Red List, this striking species is facing serious population declines due to habitat loss, primarily driven by illegal logging and oil palm deforestation. Though not as globally known as some of its neighbours, such as the Sumatran Orangutan, Thomas’s Langur plays an equally vital role in forest regeneration and seed dispersal. You can help protect them by using your consumer power: always choose palm oil-free products.#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife#Vegan
Thomas’s Langur is a small-bodied, highly distinctive primate. Their expressive amber eyes are framed by a whimsical ‘mohawk’ of fur – white at the front and dark grey along the midline – with flaring white cheek tufts giving them a perpetual look of surprise. Their back and limbs are grey, while the underparts are pure white, creating a dramatic contrast. Infants are born almost entirely white.
They live in social groups of 10–20 individuals and are arboreal, moving gracefully through the canopy. Though they are agile and peaceful, these monkeys are alert and cautious, especially in areas with higher predator or infanticide risk. They’ve been observed adjusting their vigilance levels depending on their location within the forest and the presence of neighbouring groups.
Diet
Thomas’s Langur is primarily folivorous, meaning their diet mainly consists of leaves. However, they also consume unripe fruit, flowers, toadstools, snails, and even rubber tree seeds when available. They have highly adapted digestive systems with gut microbes capable of breaking down cellulose, allowing them to extract nutrients from fibrous plant material. They tend to avoid ripe fruit, which could kill these microbes, and instead prefer high-pH, less acidic produce.
Reproduction and Mating
These langurs reach reproductive maturity around 5.4 years of age. The average interbirth interval is about 22 months, though this can vary depending on whether the previous infant survives. Females give birth to a single offspring at a time and care for them extensively. Infanticide by incoming males is a documented threat in overlapping territories, which may influence both vigilance and social dynamics within groups.
In the wild, Thomas’s Langurs live up to 20 years, with longevity extending to 29 years in captivity due to the absence of predators and reduced stress.
Geographic Range
Thomas’s Langur is restricted to northern Sumatra in Indonesia, primarily within Aceh Province. They are found north of the Alas (Simpangkiri) and Wampu Rivers, though newer records suggest they also exist just south of the Alas. Key populations reside in the Leuser Ecosystem, particularly around the Ketambe Research Station and Bukit Lawang in Gunung Leuser National Park. The species’ range is geographically fragmented by rivers and human activity.
Threats
The species is considered Vulnerable due to past and continued population declines, estimated at more that 30% over the past 40 years (three generations) due to loss of habitat, especially to logging and oil palm plantations. Due to continuing threats, it is suspected to decline at the same rate over the next one generation.
IUCN Red List
• Palm oil and timber deforestation
Thomas’s langur faces severe habitat loss due to widespread deforestation in northern Sumatra. Logging operations, both legal and illegal, have cleared vast tracts of primary forest, fragmenting the langurs’ habitat and forcing them into smaller, isolated patches. The conversion of forests into oil palm plantations is accelerating this destruction, leading to population declines estimated at more than 30% over the past 40 years. This fragmentation not only reduces available food sources but also isolates groups, limiting genetic diversity and increasing the risk of local extinctions.
• Hunting and human persecution
Though protected by the local Batak traditional and religious taboos, there is some ‘marginal’ hunting pressure in the other parts of their distribution. The species is sometimes killed for bushmeat or captured for traditional medicine practices. In areas where these taboos are not observed, or where poverty drives people to seek alternative food sources, hunting pressure remains a real threat. Even low levels of hunting can have significant impacts on slow-reproducing primates like Thomas’s langur.
• Illegal Pet Trade
Infant langurs are often captured and sold in wildlife markets, especially in areas close to tourism hotspots like Bukit Lawang. To obtain a baby, adult females are usually killed, which has devastating consequences for troop dynamics and survival. Captive langurs often suffer from malnutrition, stress, and poor care, and rarely survive long in the pet trade. This exploitation is driving the species further toward extinction and contributes to the destruction of wild populations.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict
As forests are cleared, Thomas’s langurs increasingly move into croplands and plantations in search of food. This brings them into direct conflict with farmers, who may perceive them as pests and shoot them to protect crops. These retaliatory killings are not only cruel but contribute to the already rapid decline in population numbers. Furthermore, such conflicts reduce public tolerance for the species and hinder conservation efforts unless addressed through community engagement and education.
Take Action!
Thomas’s Langur is a symbol of Sumatra’s disappearing biodiversity. Protecting their habitat means preserving the rich web of life in which they play an essential role. You can make a difference, every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife. Advocate for indigenous-led conservation in Sumatra and campaign against the illegal wildlife trade. Support plant-based agriculture and rewilding efforts. Go #Vegan#BoycottMeat
FAQs
How many Thomas’s Langurs are left in the wild?
Exact population estimates for the Thomas’s Langur are unknown, but data suggests that their numbers have declined by more than 30% in the past 40 years (three generations). This is largely due to habitat destruction and fragmentation (Wich et al., 2007).
How long do Thomas’s Langurs live?
In the wild, they typically live around 20 years. In captivity, individuals have been known to live up to 29 years (Wich et al., 2007).
Why are Thomas’s Langurs endangered?
The main threat is deforestation from logging and conversion of land into palm oil plantations. This leads to loss of their primary rainforest habitat and forces them into closer contact with humans, where they may be shot or captured for trade (IUCN, 2021).
Do Thomas’s Langurs make good pets?
Absolutely not. Keeping Thomas’s Langurs as pets is not only unethical but illegal. The illegal pet trade contributes directly to their decline, as infants are taken from their mothers, often involving violence. Supporting this trade fuels cruelty and threatens their survival. Advocate against the exotic pet trade instead.
Sterck, E. H. M., Willems, E. P., van Schaik, C. P., & Wich, S. A. (2005). Demography and life history of Thomas langurs (Presbytis thomasi). American Journal of Primatology, 69(6), 641–651. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20386
Steenbeek, R., Piek, R. C., van Buul, M., & van Hooff, J. A. R. A. M. (1999). Vigilance in wild Thomas’s langurs (Presbytis thomasi): the importance of infanticide risk. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 45, 137–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650050547
Wich, S. A., Steenbeek, R., Sterck, E. H. M., Korstjens, A. H., Willems, E. P., & van Schaik, C. P. (2007). Demography and life history of Thomas langurs (Presbytis thomasi). American Journal of Primatology, 69(6), 641–651. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20386
Wich, S. A., Schel, A. M., de Vries, H., & van Schaik, C. P. (2008). Geographic variation in Thomas Langur (Presbytis thomasi) loud calls. American Journal of Primatology, 70(6), 566–574. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajp.20527
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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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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This elusive forest bird is restricted to the montane forests of Sumatra, found between 1,000 and 2,200 metres above sea level in the island’s tropical lower montane zones.
The Sumatran Cochoa Cochoa beccarii is a rare and secretive forest-dwelling #songbird found only in the highland rainforests of #Sumatra#Indonesia. With their shimmering electric blue and smoky black plumage and elusive behaviour, this species of songbird moves in a melodic symphony of song through the middle and upper canopy, often remaining hidden from view. Although currently listed as #Vulnerable, the species is experiencing a slow but steady decline caused by #deforestation and trapping for the illegal bird trade. As demand for exotic songbirds grows, especially online, the Sumatran Cochoa faces a very real risk of disappearing from the wild. Use your wallet as a weapon. Say no to palm oil and never support the illegal wildlife trafficking and illegal songbird trade. Campaign against wildlife trafficking and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife#Vegan
The Sumatran Cochoa is a #bird living in the middle and upper storeys of tropical lower montane forest between 1,000 m and 2,200 m in Sumatra, Indonesia. This species qualifies as Vulnerable because they occur at very low densities and thus is suspected to have a small population, they are likely to be undergoing a continuing decline owing to habitat loss at the lower fringes of its altitudinal range due to oil palm plantations.
Appearance and Behaviour
The Sumatran Cochoa is a shy and striking song bird that inhabits the cooler heights of tropical forests. Their plumage is a flash of iridescent blue and soft black feathers, similar to other cochoas, although detailed descriptions remain scarce due to the species’ cryptic habits. Often remaining high in the forest canopy, the Sumatran Cochoa rarely descends and prefers dense, shaded environments far from human disturbance.
Although little has been documented, this songbird likely moves in deliberate hops between branches, occasionally breaking into soft song. The Sumatran Cochoa is thought to be largely sedentary, but may exhibit small local seasonal movements depending on food availability.
Diet
The diet of the Sumatran Cochoa has not been fully studied, however based on related species, they likely feed on insects, berries, and other soft fruits found in the montane canopy. Foraging likely occurs in the mid to upper levels of the forest, using precise movements to pick food from leaves, branches, or air.
Reproduction and Mating
Breeding behaviour has not been directly observed, but the Sumatran Cochoa may share nesting traits with other members of the genus Cochoa. The songbird likely builds a cup-shaped nest in the fork of a tree branch or against mossy bark, laying one to three eggs. The breeding season is suspected to follow seasonal patterns in Sumatra’s montane forest, although more field research is urgently needed.
Geographic Range
The Sumatran Cochoa is a song bird endemic to Sumatra and occurs only in the island’s mountainous regions, between 1,000 and 2,200 metres above sea level. The bird inhabits tropical lower montane forests, where they prefer undisturbed canopies and thick vegetation. Habitat fragmentation due to palm oil and timber agriculture, and infrastructure development has drastically reduced their range and led to isolated populations.
Threats
• Habitat loss from palm oil and timber deforestation and forest conversion
The montane forests of Sumatra are increasingly affected by land clearance for plantations, agriculture, and road construction. Between 2009 and 2022, forest cover in the bird’s range declined by an estimated 3–4%. Even small-scale encroachment can damage the intact canopy structure that the species depends on for shelter, food, and breeding.
• Trapping for the illegal songbird trade
Although rarely seen in physical markets, the Sumatran Cochoa has been targeted for the illegal bird trade. A study using web-scraping and machine learning tools found three confirmed online advertisements for the species among 105,000 listings (Okarda et al., 2022). This suggests that the species is extremely rare in trade, but even occasional trapping can cause local extinctions, especially in accessible forest edges.
• Lack of ecological data and targeted conservation
Very little is known about the species’ biology, behaviour, and population size. This lack of information makes conservation planning difficult and reduces the likelihood of targeted protection. Without focused research, the species may vanish unnoticed, especially in areas under threat from ongoing palm oil and timber deforestation.
Take Action!
Protect the future of the Sumatran Cochoa and other Sumatran song birds. Avoid palm oil products and support forest-friendly, indigenous-led agroecology. Never purchase wild-caught birds or keep songbirds as pets. Demand stronger laws to protect wildlife from illegal online trade and campaign against the wildlife trade and against palm oil online. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan#EndSongbirdTrade
FAQs
How many Sumatran Cochoas are left in the wild?
Exact numbers of these unique songbirds are unknown. Due to the bird species’ elusive nature and high-altitude habitat, no full population survey has been conducted.
Why is the songbird trade a threat to Sumatran Cochoas?
Although one recent study found that the Sumatran Cochoa is rarely sold, the broader Indonesian songbird market has exploded—particularly online. Machine learning research found hundreds of thousands of songbirds for sale, including many threatened species (Okarda et al., 2022). Even rare songbird species like the Sumatran Cochoa are at risk due to high demand from hobbyists and collectors.
Where does the Sumatran Cochoa live?
This bird lives only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, between 1,000 and 2,200 metres in elevation. It prefers cool, misty, undisturbed montane forests and may be highly sensitive to forest disturbance or fragmentation.
Absolutely not. Trapping wild birds for pets is cruel and contributes to the extinction of many species. Songbirds belong in the wild, and the Sumatran Cochoa is no exception. Instead if you like songbirds you should campaign for an end to the songbird trade and protection of highland forest ecosystems.
Okarda, B., Muchlish, U., Kusumadewi, S. D., & Purnomo, H. (2022). Categorizing the songbird market through big data and machine learning in the context of Indonesia’s online market. Global Ecology and Conservation, 39, e02280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02280
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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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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
The Mainland serow, a reclusive wild goat-antelope, is a remarkable yet poorly understood resident of Southeast Asia’s rugged terrains. This enigmatic animal, with their coarse black coat and sharply curving horns, has earned a mythical status in local folklore due to their elusiveness and adaptability to steep, rocky landscapes.
However, the Mainland serow like many other ungulates is facing a precarious future. Habitat destruction from palm oil plantations, logging, and agricultural expansion has drastically reduced their numbers, leaving their population fragmented and declining. Protect these remarkable creatures and their fragile home—boycott palm oil and fight for their survival. #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife
The Mainland Serow has declines exceeding 30% over three generations as inferred from local surveys, decline in occupied area and habitat quality as well as actual levels of exploitation and requires urgent conservation actions.
IUCN Red List
Appearance and Behaviour
The Mainland serow is a striking ungulate, standing approximately 85–100 cm tall at the shoulder and weighing between 80–140 kg. Their coarse black or dark grey fur is often flecked with lighter markings, and they sport a characteristic mane of bristly hair along their neck and back. Both males and females possess sharp, backward-curving horns that can grow up to 25 cm in length, providing protection against predators and rivals.
Serows are highly adapted to their rugged habitats, with powerful legs and hooves that allow them to navigate steep cliffs and rocky outcrops with remarkable agility. Primarily crepuscular, they are most active at dawn and dusk, spending their days resting in dense vegetation or hidden crevices. These solitary animals are territorial, marking their range with scent glands to warn off intruders.
Geographic Range
The Mainland serow is found across Southeast Asia, including the mountainous regions of Sumatra, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and parts of Laos and Vietnam. They inhabit a range of environments, from limestone karst formations and steep cliffs to dense lowland forests. In recent studies, serows have even been recorded at surprisingly low elevations in areas such as Assam, India (Lukmaanias Blog, 2024).
This wide but fragmented distribution is a result of habitat loss, with remaining populations primarily confined to protected areas such as national parks in Sumatra and Thailand.
Diet
Mainland serows are herbivorous and highly opportunistic feeders, consuming a diet of grasses, leaves, shrubs, shoots, and fruits. In rocky habitats, they are known to graze on mosses and lichens. Their foraging habits help regulate vegetation growth in otherwise inaccessible areas, playing an important role in maintaining ecological balance.
Reproduction and Mating
Due to their elusive nature, much about the Mainland serow’s reproductive behaviour remains unknown. Females typically give birth to a single offspring after a gestation period of approximately seven months. Juveniles stay with their mothers for up to a year before becoming independent.
The species’ slow reproductive cycle, combined with habitat destruction and high juvenile mortality rates, makes population recovery a significant challenge.
Threats
The Mainland serow is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with population numbers steadily declining due to palm oil deforestation and poaching. Conservation efforts are underway in several countries, focusing on protecting key habitats and enforcing anti-poaching laws. Protected areas, such as Sumatra’s national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Thailand, are vital to their survival.
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Habitat Destruction:
Extensive deforestation for agriculture, including palm oil plantations, has decimated critical habitats in Southeast Asia. Logging and infrastructure projects exacerbate this loss, isolating populations.
Hunting and Poaching:
The serow is hunted for its meat, horns, and body parts, which are used in traditional medicine and local rituals. Poaching pressure continues to threaten even protected populations.
Fragmentation and Isolation:
Human encroachment has fragmented their habitat, leading to isolated populations and reduced genetic diversity.
Climate Change:
Climate change related altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures threaten the delicate ecosystems these animals rely on for survival.
However, the serow’s secretive nature and remote habitats pose challenges to conservation efforts, making it critical to increase research and engage local communities in protecting their remaining populations.
Take Action!
Help safeguard the Mainland serow by boycotting palm oil and advocating for forest conservation. Share their story and demand stricter wildlife protections. Together, we can fight for their survival. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
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More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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The Sumatran laughingthrush, with their striking black-and-white plumage and melodic song, is one of Sumatra’s most distinctive bird species. Found exclusively in the island’s montane forests, this critically endangered species faces an uncertain future due to habitat destruction and the illegal wildlife trade.
The Sumatran laughingthrush is a medium-sized passerine bird, growing up to 30 centimetres in length. Its plumage is predominantly black, with striking white markings on its wings, tail, and underparts. This contrast gives them an elegant appearance, enhanced by bright yellow eyes and strong, dark bill.
Known for their complex, melodious calls, these birds are highly social and often found in small flocks. Their name, “laughingthrush,” originates from their song, which resembles a series of whistles, trills, and laughter-like notes. These vocalisations are a key element of their social structure, aiding in communication and flock cohesion.
Geographic Range
The Sumatran laughingthrush is endemic to Sumatra and restricted to montane forests at elevations between 800 and 2,000 metres. Their preferred habitats include dense, moist forest understorey and secondary growth near clearings. Fragmentation of these habitats has isolated populations, making them more vulnerable to extinction.
Diet
Sumatran laughingthrushes are omnivorous, feeding on a diverse diet of insects, fruits, and seeds. They forage in the lower and middle forest canopy, often in mixed-species flocks. Their diet supports forest health by aiding in seed dispersal, an essential role for maintaining biodiversity in their montane ecosystem.
Reproduction and Mating
Little is known about the reproductive habits of the Sumatran laughingthrush. They are believed to nest in dense vegetation, constructing cup-shaped nests using leaves, twigs, and moss. Like other laughingthrushes, they are presumed to lay small clutches of eggs and exhibit parental care, although further studies are needed to confirm these behaviours.
Threats
The Sumatran laughingthrush is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Studies indicate that the wild population has declined by more than 80% in recent decades, with fewer than 1,000 mature individuals remaining (Birds of the World, 2020).While several individuals exist in captivity, efforts to protect the wild population remain insufficient. Conservation measures include habitat restoration, stronger enforcement of anti-poaching laws, and public awareness campaigns to reduce demand in the illegal wildlife trade (Collar et al., 2020).
Several organisations have initiated breeding programs to establish assurance populations, but these are only a short-term solution. Protecting their natural habitat and halting deforestation are essential to securing their future.
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Deforestation for palm oil and timber: Deforestation for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture has destroyed much of their montane forest habitat, fragmenting populations and reducing available resources.
Illegal Wildlife Trade: The Sumatran laughingthrush is highly prized for their song, making them a frequent target for poachers. Large numbers are captured annually for sale in the illegal pet trade, particularly in Indonesia and Southeast Asia (BirdLife International, 2020).
Capture for the caged bird trade: Their pretty and melodic song has historically made them popular for the illegal caged bird trade.
Lax anti-poaching and illegal wildlife laws.
Take Action!
Protect the Sumatran laughingthrush by boycotting palm oil and supporting organisations dedicated to wildlife conservation. Raise awareness about the illegal pet trade and its devastating impact on these beautiful birds. Together, we can fight for their survival. #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife
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
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
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Extant (resident): Brunei Darussalam; Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatera); Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah, Sarawak)
Presence Uncertain: Thailand
The beautiful and elusive Otter Civet lives primarily in peatland forests and riverine swamps. Their prominent snouts and long whiskers give them keen sensory understanding of their environment. They face serious ongoing threat to their survival in Borneo and are rapidly disappearing due to palm oil deforestation and gold mining pollution run-off into rivers. Help them to survive when you #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife.
Little is known of Otter Civet habitat and ecology. This species was believed to be confined largely to peat swamp forests, but there are now also records from lowland dipterocarp forest (Sebastian 2005, Cheyne et al. in prep.). They seem to be most strongly associated with lowland primary forest, but they have been recorded in secondary forest, bamboo, and logged forest (Veron et al. 2006, Wilting et al. 2010, A.J. Hearn and J. Ross pers. comm. 2014); their long-term persistence in these habitats is unknown (Veron et al. 2006). The Otter Civet is listed as Endangered because of a presumed small and declining population. Based on data in Miettinen et al. (2011), the presumed primary habitat for Otter Civet has been greatly reduced historically and has declined by about 20% over the last two generations (presumed to be 10 years; Pacifici et al. 2013). The remaining habitat is discontinuous, often degraded; and water sources, presumed to be important for the species, are often polluted.
Threats
This species of Bornean viverid faces many human-related threats.
Palm oil deforestation: A major threat to the Otter Civet.
Gold mining: chemical pollution from gold mining is a threat.
Agricultural pollution run-off into rivers
Unintentional capture in hunting snares: Evidence does not suggest that this species is hunted directly but may unintentionally be killed in traps.
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
Ross, J., Wilting, A., Ngoprasert, D., Loken, B., Hedges, L., Duckworth, J.W., Cheyne, S., Brodie, J., Chutipong, W., Hearn, A., Linkie, M., McCarthy, J., Tantipisanuh, N. & Haidir, I.A. 2015. Cynogale bennettii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T6082A45197343. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T6082A45197343.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Location: The Blue-backed Parrot is endemic to the Philippines, where it is found on islands including Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Dinagat, and Basilan. It primarily inhabits lowland tropical rainforests, coastal forests, and cultivated areas up to 800 metres in elevation.
The Blue-backed #Parrot, also known as Müller’s Parrot or Burbridge’s Parrot, is a striking yet elusive #bird native to the #Philippines. Their shimmering blue and green plumage allows them to blend seamlessly into the forest canopy, making sightings of this rare species increasingly difficult. Despite once being common, the relentless destruction of their rainforest home and rampant #poaching for the #pettrade have pushed this parrot to the brink. They are now classified as #Endangered, they face ongoing population declines, with some local populations feared to be extinct. Without urgent conservation efforts, this vibrant parrot may vanish forever. Help them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The Blue-backed Parrot is a medium-sized bird, measuring approximately 31 cm in length. Their deep blue rump and wing bends contrast beautifully against their green body, making them one of the most visually striking parrots in the Philippines. The head, mantle, wings, and tail are a darker shade of green, while the collar and belly are lighter green. They have a robust, golden-yellow beak, which they use to crack open hard seeds and nuts.
This species is highly arboreal, spending most of their time in the dense forest canopy. They are known for their swift, powerful flight and loud, squawking calls, which echo through the rainforest. Typically seen in pairs or small groups, these parrots are social but wary of human presence, making them difficult to observe in the wild.
Threats
There is also some level of forest loss across the species’ range (Global Forest Watch 2020). Mining activities also continue to reduce habitats across Tawi-Tawi (D. Allen in litt. 2020).
IUCN Red List
The Blue-backed Parrot faces two primary threats: habitat destruction and illegal poaching for the pet trade.
Coconut, rice, corn and palm oil deforestation
Widespread deforestation is rapidly erasing the forests this species depends on. Land is being cleared for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture, particularly for coconut, rice, and corn. The loss of old-growth trees also means fewer suitable nesting sites, making successful breeding increasingly difficult.
The illegal pet trade
The pet trade is equally devastating. These parrots are highly sought after due to their striking appearance and rarity, with many captured illegally and smuggled into both local and international markets. Poachers often raid nests by cutting down entire trees, killing parents and leaving chicks traumatised or dead. The few that survive endure brutal conditions in captivity, often succumbing to stress or starvation.
The trapping of adults and nestlings for the cagebird and pet trade are the most significant threats, with heavy trapping particularly extensive in the early 2000’s Scarcity of captured birds in markets suggests the genuine rarity of the species.
Climate change
Climate change poses an additional serious challenge, with increasingly severe typhoons and rising temperatures threatening already fragile populations.
Diet
The Blue-backed Parrot is primarily frugivorous, relying on a diet rich in fruits, nuts, and seeds. They favour wild rainforest fruits but will also feed on berries, flower nectar, and cultivated crops such as coconuts and corn. Their strong beaks allow them to break open hard shells, giving them access to nutrient-rich seeds. In areas where food is scarce, they may venture into farmland, leading to occasional conflict with farmers.
Reproduction and Mating
Like other members of the Tanygnathus genus, the Blue-backed Parrot is monogamous, forming lifelong pair bonds. They nest in tree hollows, preferring large, mature rainforest trees. The female lays two to three eggs, which she incubates while the male provides food. Chicks hatch blind and featherless, relying entirely on their parents for survival. They fledge after several weeks but may remain dependent on their parents for some time.
Breeding is believed to occur in April, coinciding with the dry season when food is most abundant. However, the destruction of nesting trees is making successful reproduction increasingly difficult.
Geographic Range
The Blue-backed Parrot is endemic to the Philippines, with populations found on Mindanao, Samar, Leyte, Bohol, Dinagat, and Basilan. They primarily inhabits lowland tropical rainforests, coastal forests, and occasionally cultivated areas. While they were once widespread, habitat loss and poaching have caused drastic declines, and it is now feared to be locally extinct in some parts of their range.
FAQ
What is the Blue-backed Parrot’s status?
The Blue-backed Parrot is classified as Endangered by the IUCN due to rapid population declines. They have become increasingly rare, and in some areas, it is feared to be locally extinct. Without immediate conservation action, their status may soon worsen.
What are the main threats to the Blue-backed Parrot?
The biggest threats are deforestation and the illegal pet trade. The expansion of palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture has destroyed much of their habitat. Meanwhile, poachers raid nests to supply the pet trade, often cutting down entire trees to capture chicks. Many parrots die in transport due to stress and injury.
What is the Blue-backed Parrot’s habitat?
This species thrives in tropical lowland rainforests, coastal forests, and occasionally, cultivated areas up to 800 metres in elevation. However, they cannot survive in highly degraded landscapes, making deforestation a major concern.
What does the Blue-backed Parrot look like?
They have a medium-sized parrot with a striking blue rump and wing bends. The head, mantle, wings, and tail are a darker shade of green, while the belly and collar are a lighter green. They have a powerful, golden-yellow beak, which they uses to crack open hard seeds and nuts.
What does the Blue-backed Parrot eat?
Their diet consists mainly of wild rainforest fruits, nuts, seeds, and berries. They also consume flower nectar and may forage in coconut plantations or farms when food is scarce.
How does the Blue-backed Parrot breed?
They nest in tree hollows and is monogamous, with pairs forming lifelong bonds. The female lays two to three eggs, incubating them while the male provides food. Chicks are dependent on their parents until they fledge.
Is the Blue-backed Parrot known by any other names?
Yes, alternative names include the Müller’s Parrot and Burbridge’s Parrot.
How can I help protect the Blue-backed Parrot?
The best way to help is by refusing to support industries that destroy their habitat and by raising awareness about the devastating impact of the pet trade. Avoid products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil, and support conservation efforts working to protect these birds.
Take Action!
The Blue-backed Parrot is at serious risk of extinction— but you can help. Refuse to buy products that destroy their habitat and speak out against the illegal wildlife trade. Fight for their survival every time you shop! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
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.
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
The Hairy-nosed Otter is one of the world’s rarest and least understood otter species, native to Southeast Asia. Distinguished by the unique fur covering its rhinarium (nose), this elusive mammal inhabits freshwater and coastal ecosystems, including mangroves and peat swamp forests. Now extinct in India and Myanmar, their numbers are dropping in other countries. They are severely under threat from habitat destruction for palm oil and illegal hunting. Hairy-nosed Otter have no known conservation projects in place to protect them. We urge you to boycott products linked to deforestation like palm oil and meat. Use your wallet as a weapon to fight for their survival each time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife!
The Hairy-nosed Otter has a slender body measuring 1.05 to 1.34 meters in length and weighing between 5 to 8 kilograms. Its dense, short brown fur becomes paler on the belly, and unlike other otter species, its rhinarium is covered with short dark hair. It possesses fully webbed paws with prominent claws, adapted for its semi-aquatic lifestyle. Primarily solitary, this otter is most active during early morning and late afternoon, though nocturnal activity has also been observed. They are adept swimmers, relying on their long, muscular tails for propulsion in water.
Geographic Range
Historically widespread across Southeast Asia, the Hairy-nosed Otter is now found in fragmented populations in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. It is possibly extinct in Brunei and has been declared extinct in India and Myanmar. Their preferred habitats include peat swamp forests, Melaleuca (swamp tea-tree) forests, and coastal mangroves. In Sumatra, they have also been found in oil palm and rubber plantations, indicating some adaptability to altered landscapes.
Diet
The diet of the Hairy-nosed Otter primarily consists of fish, supplemented by crustaceans such as crabs and crayfish, molluscs, water snakes, birds, and amphibians. Their foraging habits play a role in controlling prey populations, contributing to the ecological balance of their habitats.
Reproduction and Mating
Limited information is available on the reproductive behavior of the Hairy-nosed Otter. The gestation period is believed to be about two months, similar to other otter species, with litters ranging from one to four cubs. Breeding seasons may vary by region; for instance, in Thailand, young have been observed between December and February, suggesting births occur from October to December. In Cambodia, breeding appears to take place between November and March.
Threats
The Hairy-nosed Otter is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with populations continuing to decline due to ongoing threats. Conservation efforts focusing on habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and further research into their ecology are crucial for their survival.
• Habitat Destruction: Conversion of wetlands and forests into agricultural land, particularly for oil palm and rubber plantations, has led to significant habitat loss. Additionally, human activities such as fishing and crop cultivation disturb their natural environments and have led to them being tangled in fishing nets.
• Illegal Hunting: Poaching for pelts and meat has historically reduced populations, and illegal wildlife trade continues to pose a threat.
• Pollution: Water pollution from agricultural runoff and industrial activities degrades their aquatic habitats, affecting both the otters and their prey.
Take Action!
Protect the Hairy-nosed Otter by boycotting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to support ethical and eco-friendly choices. Share their story and fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
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
Aadrean, A., Kanchanasaka, B., Heng, S., Reza Lubis, I., de Silva, P. & Olsson, A. 2015. Lutra sumatrana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T12421A21936999. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T12421A21936999.en. Downloaded on 21 January 2021.
International Otter Survival Fund. (n.d.). Hairy-nosed Otter. Retrieved from Otter.org
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Hairy-nosed Otter. Retrieved from Wikipedia
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
The Sumatran Ground Cuckoo, a reclusive bird endemic to Sumatra’s dense forests who captivate with their distinctive iridescent plumage. They lived peacefully in the rainforest until its decimation over the past several decades for palm oil took its toll on populations – they are now critically endangered. Fewer than 250 mature individuals remain, and their population is declining. Immediate conservation efforts are critical. These stunning birds symbolise the fragile and rich biodiversity of Sumatra’s montane rainforests. Take action and use your wallet as a weapon every time you shop, #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife
The Sumatran Ground Cuckoo is a rare and enigmatic bird found only in the montane rainforests of Sumatra. Known for their striking plumage and elusive nature, they are among the most endangered species in the world, with fewer than 250 mature individuals estimated to remain.
Their survival is critically dependent on the preservation of Sumatra’s rapidly disappearing rainforests. Protecting them requires urgent action to halt deforestation and hunting. Support their conservation by joining the #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife movements.
Appearance and Behaviour
Around 55 cm in length, these mesmerising birds possess vibrant facial markings in shades of green, lilac, and blue set off against a black feathered crown. Their glossy greenish-black upper body contrast with cinnamon-buff underside. A long tail enhances their striking appearance.
The Sumatran Ground Cuckoo prefers the dense undergrowth of primary forests and is rarely seen. They are quiet and elusive, but their call, recorded for the first time in 2007, featured soft whistles in a melodic rising and falling song.
Endemic to Sumatra, the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo inhabits primary montane rainforests at elevations between 300 and 1,400 metres. They are primarily found in the Barisan Mountains, including Kerinci Seblat and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks.
These forests are a critical haven for thousands of different animal and plant species. However, even protected areas are under threat from logging and palm oil expansion, leaving their habitat increasingly fragmented and in peril.
Diet
Sumatran Ground Cuckoos forage along the forest floor, using their sturdy bills to capture prey, contributing to the balance of their ecosystem. Direct observations of these birds are scarce and they are believed to feed on invertebrates, small mammals, and reptiles.
Take action!
Support conservation initiatives to protect Sumatra’s remaining rainforests. Advocate for the protection of critical habitats by rejecting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil and meat. #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife
Threats
The Sumatran Ground Cuckoo is classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. With fewer than 250 mature individuals remaining, their population is in sharp decline due to habitat destruction and human activity.
Deforestation has been extensive on Sumatra and this is probably the main threat. At least two-thirds to four-fifths of original lowland forest cover and at least one-third of montane forest have been lost, primarily to agricultural encroachment by shifting cultivators, which is currently affecting large areas of lower montane forest, even within protected areas.
Deforestation has been extensive on Sumatra and this is probably the main threat to the Sumatran Ground-cuckoo
IUCN Red List
• Deforestation for palm oil: Rainforests are cleared for palm oil plantations, leading to the destruction of their habitat.
• Logging: Both legal and illegal logging activities fragment their forest home.
• Bycatch in hunting snares: Ground snares set for other species, such as Red Junglefowl, often trap and kill these birds.
• Human encroachment: Agricultural and infrastructure expansion degrade the forests they depend on.
Help save the Sumatran Ground Cuckoo by boycotting palm oil products and supporting conservation organisations working to protect Sumatra’s forests. Advocate for policies that prioritise habitat preservation and sustainable alternatives like agroecology. Join the #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife movements to ensure these birds can thrive once again.
Support the conservation of this beautiful animal
There are no known conservation activities for this forgotten animal. You can help by creating art about them or by joining the Boycott4Wildlife
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
The Sumatran slow loris is a shy and placid smll primate endemic to the lush rainforests of Sumatra. They are famous for their large, expressive eyes, deliberate movements and tiny hands. This elusive creature possesses a unique trait among primates; despite their endearing and sweet appearance, they have a toxic bite.
This nocturnal tree-dwelling wonder faces significant threats from palm oil and mining deforestation and illegal wildlife trade in Sumatra. To protect the Sumatran slow loris take action and use your wallet as a weapon to fight for their survival each time you shop. #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife.
Sumatran Slow Loris is listed as Endangered as there has probably been a more than 50% reduction in population over three generations (approximately 21-24 years), based on their past and predicted future abundance in the pet trade and extensive habitat loss throughout Sumatra.
IUCN Red List
Appearance and Behaviour
Measuring between 20 to 37 centimeters in length and weighing approximately 600 to 685 grams, the Sumatran slow loris is a petite primate with a dense, woolly coat. Their fur coloration varies, often exhibiting a reddish or chestnut hue. A distinctive feature is the dark stripe running from the top of the head down the back, accompanied by large, forward-facing eyes adapted for nocturnal vision. Unlike many primates, they lack a tail.
This species exhibits a unique form of locomotion, moving slowly and deliberately, which aids in stealth and energy conservation. They have a specialised circulatory system that allows them to remain immobile for extended periods without compromising blood flow. The Sumatran slow loris is also known for their ability to produce a toxin from glands on the inside of their elbows. When threatened, they can lick these glands, mixing the secretion with saliva to deliver a venomous bite, a rare trait among mammals.
Geographic Range
Endemic to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia, the Sumatran slow loris inhabits primary and secondary forests, including lowland and montane rainforests. They can also be found in bamboo groves and mangrove forests. However, habitat loss due to logging, agricultural expansion, and human encroachment has led to a significant reduction in their range.
Diet
The Sumatran slow loris is omnivorous, with a diet comprising fruits, tree gum, nectar, insects, and small vertebrates. Specialised dentition allows them to gouge tree bark to access sap and gum, while its slow, deliberate movements enable them to stealthily capture prey. This varied diet plays a role in seed dispersal and pest control within their ecosystem.
Reproduction and Mating
Sumatran slow lorises have a polygynous mating system, where one male mates with multiple females. Breeding can occur year-round, with a gestation period of approximately six months, resulting in the birth of a single offspring. Infants are initially carried by the mother and later left in nests or on branches while she forages. Parental care is primarily provided by the mother, with weaning occurring around six to nine months of age. Sexual maturity is reached at about 18 months.
Threats
The Sumatran slow loris is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with populations declining due to ongoing threats. Conservation efforts include habitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and rescue and rehabilitation programs aimed at reintroducing individuals into the wild. Public awareness campaigns are also crucial to reduce demand in the illegal pet trade.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Palm oil and timber deforestation: Deforestation for agriculture, particularly palm oil plantations, and logging activities have led to significant habitat fragmentation and loss.
Illegal Wildlife Trade: The Sumatran slow loris is heavily targeted for the pet trade and traditional medicine. Trafficked individuals often suffer from the painful removal of their teeth to prevent bites, leading to severe health issues and mortality.
Keeping lorises as pets: Misconceptions about the loris being a good pet due to their cute appearance contribute to their extirpation from the wild and exploitation. In reality, their specialised needs and venomous bite make them highly unsuitable for pet domestication.
Take Action!
Protect the Sumatran slow loris by boycotting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to support ethical and eco-friendly choices. Share their story and fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
Further Information
New England Primate Conservancy. (n.d.). Sumatran Slow Loris. Retrieved from NE Primate Conservancy
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Sumatran Slow Loris. Retrieved from Wikipedia
Nekaris, K.A.I., & Jaffe, S. (2007). Unexpected diversity of slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.) within the Javan pet trade: Implications for slow loris taxonomy. Contributions to Zoology, 76(3), 187-196. Retrieved from ResearchGate
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Locations: Indonesia – Endemic to Sumatra, found in the montane forests of the Barisan Mountains.
The Sumatran Mesia, also known as Leiothrix laurinae, is an exquisite song #bird endemic to the misty montane forests of #Sumatra, #Indonesia. With their striking plumage of yellow, red, and black and their enchanting, melodious calls, they are an integral part of Sumatra’s rich avian #biodiversity. This species, however, is rapidly declining due to extensive habitat destruction for #palmoil and the devastating illegal songbird #pettrade, which sees thousands of individuals snatched from the wild each year. If these birds are to survive, urgent action is needed to protect their forests and end their capture for the caged bird industry. Use your voice to demand change, campaign against the illegal wildlife trade and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop!
The species is now absent from sites at which they were described as being one of the most common species less than 15 years ago.
IUCN Red List
The Sumatran Mesia is a striking bird with bright golden-yellow plumage, accented by deep crimson and black markings. Their eyes are ringed with white, giving them a sharp, alert expression. Their wings flash vibrant orange and red in flight, while their slender, slightly curved beak is perfectly adapted for plucking insects and berries from dense foliage. These birds are highly social, often forming tight-knit flocks that dart through the undergrowth in search of food, communicating with an array of whistles and trills that echo through the forest canopy.
Threats
Illegal Cage Bird Trade
The Sumatran Mesia is one of the most sought-after songbirds in Southeast Asia. Thousands are captured every year to be sold in the kicau bird markets of Indonesia, where they are forced into tiny cages for entertainment. This relentless trapping has decimated wild populations and continues to drive this bird species closer to extinction (IUCN Red List, 2024).
Deforestation for Palm Oil Agriculture
Sumatra’s once-unbroken forests are being felled at an alarming rate, primarily for industrial-scale palm oil plantations. These monocultures replace the diverse forests that birds like the Sumatran Mesia depend on, leaving them with no refuge (IUCN Red List, 2024). Expanding agriculture and infrastructure projects further fragment their habitat, pushing the species into smaller, more vulnerable populations.
Diet
Sumatran Mesias are omnivorous birds, feeding on a variety of insects, berries, and nectar. They are especially fond of soft fruits and forage in mixed-species flocks, using their sharp beaks to pluck food from dense vegetation (BirdLife International, 2024).
Reproduction and Mating
These birds build delicate cup-shaped nests hidden among the thick foliage of Sumatra’s mountain forests. Females lay small clutches of eggs, which both parents take turns incubating. Once hatched, the chicks are cared for with insects and fruit until they fledge (BirdLife International, 2024).
Geographic Range
The Sumatran Mesia is found exclusively in the high-altitude montane forests of the Barisan Mountains, where they inhabit dense, moss-covered woodlands above 1,000 metres elevation (IUCN Red List, 2024). Their distribution is severely fragmented due to ongoing deforestation.
FAQ
Why is the Sumatran Mesia endangered?
The species is critically threatened by habitat destruction for timber and palm oil along with the illegal pet trade. Thousands of these birds are poached from the wild every year to be sold in bird markets, and their rainforest home is disappearing due to logging and palm oil plantations (IUCN Red List, 2024).
How can I help protect the Sumatran Mesia?
To help save this species, never buy caged birds, support conservation organisations working to protect their habitat, and demand an end to the palm oil-driven deforestation that is wiping out their forests. Use your power as a consumer to boycott palm oil products and call for stricter wildlife trade regulations. Every purchase you make has an impact – #BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife.
Where do Sumatran Mesias live?
They are found only in the highland forests of Sumatra, particularly in the Barisan Mountains. These forests are crucial to their survival, yet they are being destroyed at an alarming rate (BirdLife International, 2024).
Are Sumatran Mesias good pets?
Absolutely not. These birds belong in the wild, not in cages. The pet trade is driving them to extinction, and every captured bird represents a stolen life from the forest. If you love these birds, do not support their captivity – instead you must fight to keep them free.
Take Action!
The Sumatran Mesia is on the brink, but there is still time to save them. You can help by:
• Boycott the illegal pet trade – never buy animals online.
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
The Sumatran Leafbird is a vibrant songbird native exclusively to the lush forests of Sumatra. Celebrated for their striking green plumage and melodious calls, these birds play a vital role in their ecosystem. However, rampant trapping for the cage bird trade and habitat loss for palm oil have led to a rapid decline in their population. To protect the Sumatran Leafbird, we urge you to boycott products linked to deforestation. Use your wallet as a weapon to fight for their survival each time you shop. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The Sumatran Leafbird boasts a dazzling green plumage that provides excellent camouflage among the foliage. Males feature a distinctive yellow forehead, while females have a yellowish forecrown, setting them apart from other leafbird species. These birds are known for their mimicking abilities, often imitating the calls of other bird species. They are typically found alone or in pairs, actively foraging in the upper canopy for insects and fruits.
Geographic Range
This species is endemic to Sumatra, Indonesia, inhabiting subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and plantations. Their range is increasingly fragmented due to habitat destruction and the pressures of the illegal bird trade.
Diet
Sumatran Leafbirds primarily feed on insects, spiders, nectar, and fruits. Their foraging habits aid in pollination and seed dispersal, contributing to the health and regeneration of their forest environment.
Reproduction and Mating
Breeding pairs build cup-shaped nests in the fork of tree branches, where the female typically lays two to three eggs. Both parents participate in feeding the chicks. Detailed studies on their breeding season and success rates are limited, highlighting the need for further research.
Threats
IUCN Status: Endangered
• Illegal Trapping: A surge in demand for leafbirds in the cage bird trade, especially since 2012, has led to extensive trapping, significantly reducing wild populations.
• Habitat Loss: Deforestation for agriculture and plantations, particularly for palm oil, has resulted in the loss and fragmentation of their natural habitat.
• Population Decline: The combination of trapping and habitat destruction has caused a rapid population decline, with the species now considered endangered.
Conservation Status
The Sumatran Leafbird is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with populations continuing to decline due to ongoing threats. Conservation efforts focusing on habitat protection and curbing illegal trade are crucial for their survival.
Take Action!
Protect the Sumatran Leafbird by boycotting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to support ethical and eco-friendly choices. Share their story and fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife
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
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Extant (resident): India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Russia
Tigers, primarily native to Asia’s tropical forests, have seen their habitats shrink dramatically over time. Notably, the Amur Tiger endures in Russia, and there have been sightings of these majestic creatures as high as 4,500 m in Bhutan. Tragically, fewer than 400 tigers remain in Indonesia, clinging to life in Sumatra’s dwindling forests. This decline is attributed to both rampant poaching and severe deforestation, especially for palm oil and pulp industries. As Asia continues to develop rapidly, the vast territories tigers need are shrinking, replaced by agriculture, commercial logging, and settlements. Moreover, tigers‘ prey faces threats from hunting and competition with domestic livestock. It’s time to act and use our wallet as a weapon: be #vegan#Boycottpalmoil#Boycott4Wildlife.
Tigers, the largest members of the cat family, are renowned for their majestic presence and striking orange coats with black stripes. They possess extraordinary strength and agility and maintain the balance of ecosystems as apex predators. With fewer than 4,500 remaining in the wild, tigers are classified as Endangered, facing grave threats from habitat destruction for palm oil, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict.
Their survival depends on urgent protection and animal advocacy. Protecting tigers ensures the preservation of the rich biodiversity within their habitats. Support their future by joining the #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife movements.
Habitat
Tigers inhabit a wide variety of environments, including tropical rainforests, mangrove swamps, grasslands, and boreal forests. They require vast territories to hunt and breed, with males typically occupying larger ranges than females. Tigers are currently found in fragmented populations across Asia, with key strongholds in India, Sumatra, and Siberia.
These habitats are increasingly under threat due to deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development, which have reduced their historical range by over 93%.
Diet
As apex predators, tigers primarily hunt large prey, such as sambar deer,wild boar, and buffalo. They are known for their stealth and strength, often ambushing their prey with a single powerful strike. Unlike other big cats, tigers can swim to catch prey, a unique skill that sets them apart.
In areas with reduced prey availability, tigers may hunt smaller mammals or livestock, which can lead to conflicts with humans.
Appearance and Behaviour
• Swimming Ability: Tigers are strong swimmers, often crossing rivers and lakes to hunt or cool off—an unusual trait among big cats.
• Individualised Stripes: Their stripes serve as camouflage and are unique to each tiger, making them distinguishable even in dense foliage.
• Vocal Range: Tigers have a wide vocal range, including growls, roars, and chuffs, used to communicate with other tigers.
• Apex Predator Status: As the top predator in their ecosystems, tigers help maintain balance by regulating prey populations.
Tigers are uniquely recognisable by their bold stripe patterns, which are as individual as fingerprints. Their muscular builds, powerful limbs, and retractable claws make them adept hunters and swimmers, setting them apart from most other big cats. Unlike lions or cheetahs, tigers are solitary by nature and fiercely territorial.
Their physical features include a robust skull, long canine teeth, and strong jaw muscles designed for gripping and tearing prey. Tigers are also among the few big cats that enjoy water, often cooling off in rivers and lakes. Their signature behaviours include scent marking, vocalisations such as roars and chuffs, and stealthy stalking of prey.
Reproduction & Mating
Tigers reach sexual maturity at around 3-4 years of age. Breeding typically occurs year-round, but more frequently during the winter months. After a gestation period of approximately 100 days, females give birth to 2-4 cubs in secluded dens.
Cubs are dependent on their mothers for the first 18 months, learning essential survival skills like hunting. Only about half of all cubs survive to adulthood, as they face threats from predators, disease, and starvation.
Threats
Habitat Destruction: Deforestation for palm oil agriculture, timber logging, and development fragments their habitats, isolating populations.
• Poaching: Tigers are hunted for their skins, bones, and other body parts, often sold illegally for traditional medicine or as luxury items. Organisations like EIA directly combat this illegal trade.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: As human settlements expand, conflicts arise, often leading to retaliation killings of tigers.
The last of Indonesia’s tigers—now fewer than 400—are holding on for survival in the remaining patches of forests on the island of Sumatra. While poaching claims most tigers each year, deforestation remains a serious threat.
Sumatra has lost more than half of its forests in the last 40 years, primarily due to conversion for palm oil and pulp plantations. Poaching for illegal trade in high-value Tiger products including skins, bones, meat and tonics is a primary threat to Tigers.
Asia is a densely populated and rapidly developing region, bringing huge pressures to bear on the large wild areas required for viable Tiger populations. Conversion of forest land to agriculture and silviculture, commercial logging, and human settlement are the main drivers of Tiger habitat loss. With their substantial dietary requirements,
Tigers require a healthy large ungulate prey base, but these species are also under heavy human subsistence hunting pressure and competition from domestic livestock.
Tigers are classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 4,500 individuals remaining in the wild. While conservation efforts have stabilised some populations, habitat loss and poaching continue to pose significant challenges. Collaborative international efforts are crucial to ensuring their survival.
The last of Indonesia’s tigers—now fewer than 400—are holding on for survival in the remaining patches of forests on the island of Sumatra. While poaching claims most tigers each year, deforestation remains a serious threat.
• Boycotting palm oil and other products linked to deforestation.
• Contributing to organisations that protect tiger habitats and combat illegal poaching and animal trafficking like Traffic and EIA.
• Raise awareness about the critical importance of tigers in maintaining healthy ecosystems by joining the #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife movement.
Goodrich, J., Wibisono, H., Miquelle, D., Lynam, A.J., Sanderson, E., Chapman, S., Gray, T.N.E., Chanchani, P. & Harihar, A. 2022. Panthera tigris. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2022: e.T15955A214862019. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T15955A214862019.en. Accessed on 20 December 2024.
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
The Sumatran rhinoceros, the smallest and hairiest of all rhino species, is a living relic of the Pleistocene epoch. Often referred to as “living fossils,” they are more closely related to the extinct woolly rhinoceros than to any other living rhino species. Once widespread across Southeast Asia, their numbers have plummeted to fewer than 80 individuals, primarily due to palm oil deforestation and poaching. To protect the Sumatran rhino, use your wallet as a weapon to fight for their survival every time you shop! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Sumatran Rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. Video and image stills: MongabaySumatran Rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensisSumatran Rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensisSumatran Rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensisSumatran Rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensisVideo and image stills: Mongabay
Appearance and Behaviour
Sumatran rhinos are distinguished by their reddish-brown, hairy hides, which provide protection against insects and help them navigate dense forests. They possess two horns, with the front horn typically more prominent. Despite their smaller size—standing about 1.2 to 1.5 meters at the shoulder and weighing between 500 to 800 kilograms—they are agile climbers, adept at traversing steep terrains. These solitary creatures are known for their vocalizations, including whistles and whines, which they use to communicate across dense jungles.
Geographic Range
Historically, Sumatran rhinos roamed from the foothills of the Himalayas in Bhutan and eastern India, through Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia, to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Today, they are confined to fragmented habitats in Indonesia, primarily on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Their preferred environments include dense highland and lowland tropical forests, where they inhabit hilly and mountainous terrain. The species inhabits tropical rainforest and montane moss forest, and occasionally at forest margins and in secondary forest. Throughout the seasons they move around, migrating uphill during periods of flooding. This shy species is dependent on salt licks, and live mostly in primary forest in protected areas, but wandering into secondary forests outside protected areas, especially in the dry season in search of water.
Diet
As herbivores, Sumatran rhinos have a diverse diet consisting of leaves, fruits, twigs, and bark from a variety of plant species. They are known to consume over 100pecies, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal and maintaining the ecological balance of their forest habitats.
Reproduction and Mating
Female Sumatran rhinos reach sexual maturity around the age of six to seven years, while males mature slightly earlier, between five to six years. od lasts approximately 15 to 16 months, culminating in the birth of a single calf. Calves are born with a dense covering of hair and remain with their mothers for up to two to three years, learning essential survival skills. Due to their critically low population, breeding encounters in the wild are exceedingly rare, exacerbating their risk of extinction.
Threats
The Sumatran rhinoceros is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with only around 40 individuals remaining in the wild. Conservation ehabitat protection, anti-poaching measures, and captive breeding programs, are underway to prevent their extinction. Notably, the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia has seen some success in breeding, offering a glimmer of hope for the species’ future.
Habitat Loss: Deforestation for agriculture, particularly palm oil plantations, and infrastructure development has let fragmentation.
Poaching: Despite international protection, Sumatran rhinos are still targeted for their horns, driven by demand in traditional medicine markets. Spoiler: horns made from keratin have no medicinal value whatsoever!
• Slow and complex breeding: With a slow reproductive rate and current population fragmentation, finding mates in the wild has become increasingly challenging, hindering population growth.
Take Action!
Protect the Sumatran rhinoceros by boycotting products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil. Use your wallet as a weapon to support ethical and eco-friee their story and fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
Types of Rhinos throughout the world
We estimate that the probability of extinction in 3 generations (60 years) is 90%, without successful interventions.
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Locations: Sabah, Malaysia and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The endearing Borneo Pygmy Elephant is a diminutive subspecies of the Asian Elephant. They are distinguished by their unusually large ears, baby-like faces, and remarkably long tails that sometimes drag on the ground. These gentle, docile and compact elephants are able to sense through their feet and despite their size are able to walk through the jungle with barely a sound. They are endangered due mainly to #palmoil deforestation and human persecution, with fewer than 1,500 individual elephants left alive.
Borneo’s elephants are genetically distinct from any South and Southeast Asian population and may have been isolated for over 300,000 years. Destruction across their range for corporate greed is out of control. Help their survival every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil#Boycott4Wildlife
Borneo elephants are noticeably smaller than other Asian elephants, standing at 2-3 metres tall and weighing between 3-5 tonnes. They have a distinctly rotund appearance with their plump bellies, oversized ears, and long tails. Their trunks are equipped with a single finger-like muscle at the tip. This makes their trunks highly versatile and used for grasping objects, feeding, and drinking. Borneo Elephants are famous for their gentle and sensitive disposition, they are more docile compared to other elephants. They live in small herds, exhibiting strong social bonds and often seen playing and nurturing their young. These elephants communicate through low-frequency sounds and body language, displaying the full gamut of complex emotions from joy, mourning and grief, cheekiness and playfulness, anger and jealousy.
Fast facts
Borneo elephants have a slower pulse rate of 27 beats per minute compared to other animals.
They can ‘listen’ through their feet by detecting ground vibrations.
Despite their size, Borneo elephants are capable of moving silently through dense forests.
Threats to their survival
Palm oil deforestation: The expansion of palm oil plantations is one of the most significant threats to Borneo elephants. Vast areas of their natural habitat are being cleared to make way for these plantations, leading to habitat fragmentation and loss. This destruction not only reduces the space available for elephants to live and forage but also isolates populations, making it harder for them to find mates and sustain genetic diversity. The loss of habitat forces elephants into closer contact with humans, often leading to conflict situations.
Habitat loss due to logging: Logging operations, both legal and illegal, are rampant in Borneo’s forests. The removal of large trees not only destroys the elephants’ habitat but also disrupts the forest structure, affecting the availability of food and water sources. The creation of logging roads further fragments the forest, creating barriers that elephants must navigate. This destruction of their environment can lead to malnutrition and increased mortality rates among the elephant population.
Human encroachment and conflicts: As human populations grow and expand into previously wild areas, elephants find themselves increasingly squeezed into smaller habitats. Agricultural expansion, urban development, and infrastructure projects such as roads and dams encroach on their territory. This encroachment often results in human-elephant conflicts, where elephants raid crops and villages in search of food, leading to retaliation from local communities. Such conflicts can be fatal for both elephants and humans.
Fragmentation of habitat: The fragmentation of forests into smaller, isolated patches significantly impacts Borneo elephants. Fragmented habitats can limit the elephants’ ability to migrate and access different parts of the forest for food and water. It also makes it harder for them to escape from poachers and other threats. Fragmentation often results in inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity, which can compromise the health and resilience of elephant populations.
Diet
Borneo elephants are herbivores, primarily feeding on a variety of plants, fruits, and tree bark. They require large amounts of water daily, which they often seek in rivers and other water bodies.
Mating and Reproduction
Borneo elephants have a gestation period of about 22 months, the longest of any mammal. Females usually give birth to a single calf, which is nurtured and protected by the entire herd. Calves are dependent on their mothers for milk for up to two years but start eating vegetation at around six months old.
Geographic Range
These elephants are confined to the northern and northeastern parts of Borneo, favouring lowland rainforests and river valleys. Their range is limited, and they often compete with humans for space and resources. Borneo’s nutrient-poor soils and the need for mineral sources also restrict their distribution.
Are Borneo Elephants Protected?
Several organisations are dedicated to the conservation of Borneo elephants, such as the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary and the Elephant Conservation Centre. These groups focus on habitat protection, research, and mitigating human-elephant conflicts.
Supreme Intelligence and Sensitivity
Borneo elephants are known for their gentle nature and remarkable intelligence. Their brains are the largest among all terrestrial mammals, 3-4 times bigger than human brains, although smaller in proportion to their body weight. Despite having poor vision, they possess a keen sense of smell and use their trunks to wave side to side or up in the air to better detect scents.
The elephant trunk is a multifunctional tool, used to explore the size, shape, and temperature of objects, lift food, and suck up water to drink. Borneo elephants can display a wide range of emotions, including laughing and crying. They have highly developed memories and can remember individuals and places for many years. These sensitive animals can feel grief and compassion, showing self-awareness, altruism, and playful behaviour. For instance, when a calf complains, the entire family gathers to show concern and caress the baby.
Elephants can ‘listen’ through their feet, detecting sub-sonic rumblings that cause ground vibrations, which they perceive by positioning their feet and trunks on the ground. Their ears consist of a complex system of blood vessels that help control their body temperature, allowing them to cool off by circulating blood through their ears
Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Borneo elephant. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Williams, C., Tiwari, S.K., Goswami, V.R., de Silva, S., Kumar, A., Baskaran, N., Yoganand, K. & Menon, V. 2020. Elephas maximus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T7140A45818198. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-3.RLTS.T7140A45818198.en. Accessed on 26 July 2024.
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If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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The Sumatran elephant is a critically endangered subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), confined to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. As one of the world’s largest land mammals, they play a vital role in their ecosystem as keystone species, facilitating seed dispersal and maintaining forest biodiversity. Tragically, their population has been reduced by more than 80% in the last 75 years due to palm oil deforestation and poaching.
With fewer than 2,400 individuals estimated to remain in the wild, the Sumatran elephant is at immediate risk of extinction. Protect their future by boycotting palm oil products and advocating for stronger conservation efforts. Use your voice and wallet as weapons. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
While Sumatra is home to several of the country’s largest national parks, many areas in these parks are destroyed—illegally—to produce palm oil. The elephant population across the island is crashing, with far fewer than 3,000 surviving, as herds are left homeless, harassed and killed due to intense conflict with people over shrinking habitat. Their decline is closely linked to the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations, illegal logging, and human-wildlife conflicts.
The Asian Elephant is one of the last few mega-herbivores (i.e. plant-eating mammals that reach an adult body weight in excess of 1,000 kg) still extant on earth (Owen-Smith, 1988). Being hindgut fermenters with relatively poor digestive efficiency (Dumonceaux 2006), elephants must consume large quantities of food per day to meet energy requirements. The lack of reliable population estimates across most of the Asian elephant range presents a considerable challenge to detecting such declines.
Nevertheless, from what is known about trends in habitat loss and other threats including poaching, an overall population decline of at least 50% since 1945 over the last three generations (estimated to be 75 years, based on a generation time estimated to be 25 years) seems realistic. The Sumatran subspecies is listed as Critically Endangered
Appearance and Behaviour
Sumatran elephants are smaller than their mainland Asian relatives, with males standing between 2 and 3.2 metres tall and weighing up to 5,000 kilograms. Their lighter grey skin often features depigmented patches on the ears and trunk, which are particularly prominent in this subspecies. These elephants have larger ears relative to other Asian elephants, an adaptation that helps them regulate body temperature in Sumatra’s tropical climate (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
An anatomical distinction of Sumatran elephants is their 20 pairs of ribs—one more than other Asian elephant subspecies. Male elephants typically develop long tusks, while females either lack visible tusks or have small, rudimentary ones. Their physical adaptations and behaviours are crucial for surviving in dense, tropical forests and swamps, where they navigate their environment with remarkable dexterity.
Geographical Range
Historically, Sumatran elephants roamed throughout the island’s lowland rainforests, peat swamps, and grasslands. Today, their habitat has been reduced to just a fraction of its original range, with an estimated 69% of suitable habitat lost between 1985 and 2009 (Hedges et al., 2020). Their remaining populations are concentrated in fragmented forest patches in the provinces of Aceh, Riau, Lampung, and North Sumatra.
The expansion of palm oil plantations is a primary driver of habitat destruction, with millions of hectares of forest cleared to meet global demand. Fragmented habitats force elephants into smaller areas, increasing the risk of inbreeding, resource competition, and conflict with humans (Setiawan et al., 2019).
Population Status
The Sumatran elephant population is estimated to be between 2,400 and 2,800 individuals, down from tens of thousands just decades ago. This decline represents the loss of hundreds of elephants annually due to habitat destruction, poaching, and conflict (Hedges et al., 2020). If current trends continue, the species could face extinction within 30 years.
Diet
Sumatran elephants are herbivorous and consume over 200 plant species, including grasses, fruits, leaves, bark, and roots. They consume up to 150 kilograms of vegetation daily, playing a critical role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Elephants forage over large areas, often moving between different forest types to meet their dietary needs (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
Reproduction and Mating
Female Sumatran elephants have a gestation period of approximately 22 months, the longest of any land mammal. They typically give birth to a single calf every four to five years. Calves weigh 80–120 kilograms at birth and are highly dependent on their mothers for the first two years of life. These slow reproductive rates make population recovery challenging, particularly in the face of ongoing threats (Setiawan et al., 2019).
Threats
Sumatran elephants are protected under Indonesian law, but enforcement is often weak. Conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and mitigating human-elephant conflicts. Protected areas, such as Gunung Leuser and Way Kambas National Parks, are crucial for the survival of remaining populations. However, deforestation within these protected areas remains a significant challenge (Hedges et al., 2020).
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Palm oil deforestation: The rapid conversion of forests into palm oil plantations has destroyed large portions of the elephants’ habitat. Between 1985 and 2009, Sumatra lost nearly half its forest cover (Hedges et al., 2020).
Human-Elephant Conflict: As elephants venture into agricultural areas, they are often perceived as pests. This results in retaliatory killings, which account for significant population losses each year (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
Poaching: Male elephants are heavily targeted for their ivory, which is illegally traded. Despite national protections, poaching continues to drive population declines (Setiawan et al., 2019).
Climate Change: Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns and extreme weather events threaten the availability of food and water resources, further stressing elephant populations (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
Take Action!
Protect the Sumatran elephant by boycotting palm oil products, supporting reforestation initiatives, and advocating for stricter wildlife protection laws. Every purchase matters. Fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
Without direct intervention in the national parks the Orangutans along with other forest-dependant wildlife- like the Sumatran Tigers and Elephants will become progressively scarcer until their populations are no longer viable. Spotlight Sumatra – The Final Chapter by Craig Jones
Help the organisations helping these beautiful animals
Gopala, A., Hadian, O., Sunarto, ., Sitompul, A., Williams, A., Leimgruber, P., Chambliss, S.E. & Gunaryadi, D. 2011. Elephas maximus ssp. sumatranus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T199856A9129626. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199856A9129626.en. Downloaded on 19 January 2021
Setiawan, I., et al. (2019). Recent observations of Sumatran elephants in Sembilang National Park, South Sumatra. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 31(2), 299–308. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334776259
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
With expressive faces and a deep orange coat, the Tapanuli Orangutan shares similarities with their Sumatran Orangutan and Bornean Orangutan cousins, but they are genetically and physically distinct. They possess frizzier hair, smaller skulls, flatter faces, and a more prominent moustache. Adult males have uniquely shaped flanges and emit a long call that is subtly different from other orangutans, showing acoustic divergence linked to genetic isolation.
Tapanuli Orangutans live solitary lives or in small, loose social groups. They are primarily arboreal, building elaborate sleeping nests in the forest canopy each night. Recent drone studies by Rahman et al. (2025) confirmed their high canopy preference, and the use of thermal sensors detected individuals invisible to the human eye. These shy forest dwellers avoid human presence and vanish into the dense trees with startling ease.
Diet
Dietary studies from the Tapanuli Orangutan Research Station (Arief & Mijiarto, 2024) recorded 91 plant species consumed, including fruits, young leaves, flowers, bark, and insects. While fruit forms the core of their diet, they also consume termites and other invertebrates when fruit is scarce. Figs, durians, and forest fruits are critical seasonal food sources, and loss of these plants due to palm oil plantations may lead to starvation.
Reproduction and Mating
Tapanuli Orangutans have an extremely slow reproductive rate. Females give birth once every 6–8 years after a gestation of 8.5 months. Infant orangutans remain with their mothers for up to 9 years, learning complex forest survival skills. This slow life history makes them exceptionally vulnerable—losing even a few individuals per year could doom the entire species. Population viability studies predict an 83% decline over three generations without immediate intervention (Wich et al., 2016).
Geographic Range
Once found across a vast swathe of southern Sumatra, the Tapanuli Orangutan now survives in only three isolated forest blocks of the Batang Toru Ecosystem—just 1,500 km². Only 10% of this is formally protected. Historical records suggest they once roamed as far south as Jambi and Palembang, but massive deforestation and human persecution have erased them from most of their former range. Their current habitat is dissected by roads, mines, and farmland.
Threats
The Tapanuli Orangutan was until relatively recently more widespread, with sightings further south in the lowland peat swamp forests in the Lumut area (Wich et al. 2003) and several nests encountered during a rapid survey in 2010 (G. Fredriksson pers. obs.). The forests in the Lumut area have in recent years almost completely been converted to oil-palm plantations.
The most significant threat to the Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is the relentless conversion of their highland forest habitat into industrial monocultures—particularly palm oil plantations, but also rubber and coffee. A 2024 study highlighted how forest clearance for oil palm, coffee, and rubber cultivation in the Batang Toru Ecosystem has devastated vital orangutan habitat, triggering migration into village gardens and escalating human-orangutan conflict (Lesmana et al., 2024). Wich et al. (2016) further underscore that nearly 14% of the orangutan’s range lacks any form of protection and is especially vulnerable to conversion. Entire lowland forest systems, such as those in the Lumut area, have been obliterated and replaced with palm oil plantations. The habitat loss is not only large-scale but also permanent, given the legal backing often enjoyed by agribusiness in Sumatra.
Infrastructure Development: Hydroelectric dams, roads and gold mining
A controversial Chinese-funded hydropower project threatens to destroy 10% of the Tapanuli Orangutan’s population. Located in the highest-density area of their range, the project will fragment habitat and block genetic flow for Tapanuli Orangutans and make the population vulnerable to collapse (Wich et al., 2019; Lesmana et al., 2024).
Gold and silver mining operations have already cleared approximately 3 km² of orangutan habitat and continue to expand. Compounding these threats, newly constructed roads have opened up previously inaccessible areas, accelerating both forest encroachment and illegal wildlife trade. As highlighted in the Floresta Ambient study (2024), such development has profoundly altered orangutan behaviour, pushing them into conflict with nearby communities.
Illegal Logging and Land Speculation
Despite the 2014 reclassification of parts of the Batang Toru forest from production to protection status, logging continues under outdated or contested permits. One company retains a 300 km² logging permit that cuts through primary orangutan habitat (Wich et al., 2016).
This deforestation is often driven by speculative land grabbing, with companies clearing forest to increase the value of land holdings. Encroachment is further driven by economic migrants, particularly from Nias Island, who settle in these unallocated forests due to lack of land tenure regulation. These migrants frequently convert forested land to agriculture, directly encroaching upon orangutan territories and escalating poaching and human-wildlife conflict (Samsuri et al., 2023).
Human-Orangutan Conflict, Illegal Hunting and the Illegal Pet Trade
Hunting poses a severe and often overlooked threat to the Tapanuli Orangutan. Conflict killings occur when orangutans forage in fruit trees or crops near villages, with some individuals shot with firearms or air rifles during crop conflict. With such a small population, every death is devastating. Orangutan infants are often trafficked for the exotic pet trade after their mothers are killed. According to Wich et al. (2012), the species’ slow reproductive rate makes any loss of adult females—particularly those with offspring—catastrophic for population viability.
The Floresta Ambient (2024) study documents that fruit-bearing trees in village gardens are a primary attractant for orangutans, intensifying seasonal conflict. Despite laws prohibiting the capture and trade of orangutans under CITES Appendix I, enforcement remains weak, and the trade persists.
Take Action!
We are at a tipping point. Only decisive action will save the Tapanuli Orangutan:
How many Tapanuli orangutans are left in the wild?
The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is the rarest great ape on Earth, with fewer than 800 individuals remaining in the wild. This species is confined to a single, highly fragmented population in the Batang Toru Ecosystem of North Sumatra. According to Wich et al. (2016), the total area of suitable habitat is just over 1,000 km², making their population extremely vulnerable to stochastic events, inbreeding, and continued habitat degradation. A 75-year population viability analysis predicted a staggering decline from ~1,489 individuals in 1985 to just 257 by 2060 without urgent intervention (Wich et al., 2019).
Surveys using innovative thermal drone technology in 2023 confirmed that detection rates are consistent between aerial and ground methods, affirming the grim reality of their numbers (Rahman et al., 2025). With extremely low reproduction rates (a female produces one offspring every 7–9 years), any mortality has a profound impact on population dynamics. The population’s isolation and the lack of genetic exchange further endanger its viability, pushing the species closer to extinction unless dramatic changes are made to protect and connect its remaining habitat (Nater et al., 2017).
How long do Tapanuli orangutans live?
In the wild, Tapanuli orangutans are believed to live approximately 30 to 40 years, with some individuals possibly reaching 50. In captivity, individuals can live up to 60 years when protected from threats and given regular medical care. However, data specific to Pongo tapanuliensis are limited, as they have only recently been recognised as a separate species (Nater et al., 2017). Like other great apes, their slow reproductive cycle means that females generally give birth once every 7–9 years, and juveniles remain dependent on their mothers for up to 8 years. This slow life history leaves them especially vulnerable to population crashes when faced with increased mortality from hunting, habitat loss, or conflict (Wich et al., 2019).
The longevity of these apes in the wild is severely compromised by anthropogenic threats. Conflict with humans over fruiting crops, road construction, and the development of hydropower dams has placed increasing stress on their ecosystem, reducing not only the lifespan of individuals due to direct killings but also the carrying capacity of their habitat. Without the intact rainforest necessary to support their dietary and nesting needs, lifespans are likely to decline further, particularly for juvenile apes displaced or orphaned by habitat destruction (Samsuri et al., 2023).
Why are Tapanuli orangutans disappearing?
Tapanuli orangutans are being driven to extinction by a lethal cocktail of deforestation, infrastructure development, mining, poaching, and habitat fragmentation. Between 1985 and 2007, lowland forest habitat below 500 m was reduced by 60% due to palm oil plantations, road construction, and smallholder agriculture (Wich et al., 2016). These losses have accelerated in recent years, with one of the most devastating developments being the Batang Toru hydroelectric dam, which threatens to sever key corridors connecting their small subpopulations and destroy 10% of their core habitat (Rahman et al., 2025).
In addition, illegal killings are rising due to human-orangutan conflict, especially where crops like durians and jackfruit attract hungry apes into village fields. Surveys in the Dolok Sipirok region found that most conflicts occurred on the edge of forest areas where agriculture has expanded, resulting in economic losses for local people and retaliation killings of orangutans (Floresta Ambient, 2024). These apes are also at risk from trafficking—juveniles are captured for the pet trade, and their mothers are often killed in the process. As these apes only give birth once every 7–9 years, even the loss of a few individuals each year can rapidly collapse the population.
Are Tapanuli orangutans affected by palm oil plantations?
Yes, palm oil expansion is one of the most significant threats to the Tapanuli orangutan’s survival. Forest clearance for palm oil plantations has already wiped out entire swathes of their historic range, especially in the lowland areas of Lumut. These forests were once part of their known distribution, but have now been almost entirely replaced by monocultures of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) (Wich et al., 2016; Nater et al., 2017). Such plantations are ecologically barren for orangutans, offering no food, nesting sites, or safety, while exposing them to poaching and conflict with humans.
The construction of roads and industrial developments linked to palm oil has fragmented orangutan habitat, making it harder for individuals to move safely between feeding and nesting areas. This fragmentation reduces genetic diversity and increases the risk of inbreeding, which has already been detected in Tapanuli orangutan genomes (Nater et al., 2017). Beyond habitat loss, palm oil plantations bring human settlements, increased hunting, and indirect threats like noise pollution and chemical runoff. As seen across Sumatra and Borneo, the palm oil industry’s unchecked expansion continues to destroy the last refuges for Asia’s great apes, including the critically endangered Tapanuli orangutan.
Is poaching and illegal trade still a problem for Tapanuli orangutans?
Absolutely. Despite national and international protection, Tapanuli orangutans are still poached, particularly in areas where they forage on cultivated fruit trees, triggering conflict with farmers. According to Samsuri et al. (2023), human-wildlife conflict is one of the strongest predictors of orangutan mortality in the region. Infants are especially at risk from the pet trade; mothers are frequently killed to take babies alive. These infants are then smuggled and sold illegally, often under the guise of ecotourism or exotic pet ownership.
Lack of enforcement is a major factor behind the persistence of illegal trade. While Indonesia has laws against orangutan capture and trade, penalties are rarely enforced and often misunderstood by local communities (Lesmana et al., 2024). Furthermore, conservation areas are often poorly monitored. Forest edge communities facing economic hardship may view orangutans as pests or potential profit. Unless conservation is led by local people and grounded in economic alternatives to poaching and deforestation, the illegal killing of orangutans will continue unchecked.
Can drones help monitor their numbers?
Yes. A 2023 drone study (Rahman et al., 2025) showed thermal drones are effective in detecting orangutans through dense canopy, offering a non-invasive tool for population monitoring.
Further Information
Arief, H., & Mijiarto, J. (2024). Food diversity of the Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) in the Tapanuli Orangutan Research Station Plan, North Sumatra. Jurnal Pengelolaan Sumberdaya Alam dan Lingkungan, 14(2), 376–388. https://doi.org/10.29244/jpsl.14.2.376
Arief, H., & Mijiarto, J. (2024). The human and Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) conflict in the tropical mountain rainforest ecosystem, Indonesia. Floresta e Ambiente, 31(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/2179-8087-FLORAM-2023-0019
Lesmana, Y., Basuni, S., & Soekmadi, R. (2024). Ecosophy as a form of protection for the Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) in the Batang Toru Landscape, North Sumatra. Biodiversitas, 25(11), 4535–4542. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d251152
Nater, A., Mattle-Greminger, M. P., Nurcahyo, A., Nowak, M. G., De Manuel, M., Desai, T., & Lameira, A. R. (2017). Morphometric, behavioural, and genomic evidence for a new orangutan species. Current Biology, 27(22), 3487–3498. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.09.047
Rahman, D. A., Putro, H. R., Mufawwaz, T. A., Rinaldi, D., Yudiarti, Y., Prabowo, E. D., Arief, H., Sihite, J., & Priantara, F. R. N. (2025). Developing a new method using thermal drones for population surveys of the world’s rarest great ape species, Pongo tapanuliensis. Global Ecology and Conservation, 58, e03463. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03463
Samsuri, A., Zaitunah, A., Ashari, R. H., & Kuswanda, W. (2023). Biophysical and anthropogenic factors affecting human and Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) conflict in Sumatran tropical rainforest, Indonesia. Environmental & Socio-economic Studies, 11(4), 77–91. http://bazekon.icm.edu.pl/bazekon/element/bwmeta1.element.ekon-element-000171681828
Wich, S. A., Fredriksson, G. M., Usher, G., & Kühl, H. S. (2019). The Tapanuli orangutan: Status, threats, and steps for improved conservation. Conservation Science and Practice, 1(4), e33. https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.33
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Critically endangered Bornean Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammals in the world. Although they spend a lot of time in the trees they also walk significant distances on the ground. Historically, Bornean Orangutans were most abundant in in lowland rainforests and Dipterocarp mosaic forests, where movement between different habitats when there was a shortage of food. Their diet consists primarily of fruits, but also includes leaves, barks, flowers and insects. Their entire range is earmarked for destruction for palm oil and timber deforestation. They have become the symbols of palm oil related extinction risk and face a perilous future if we don’t STOP using palm oil RIGHT NOW. Help them and #Boycottpalmoil#Boycott4Wildlife
Approximately a third of the entire Bornean Orangutan range was in commercial forest reserves exploited for timber, and about 45% was in forest areas earmarked for conversion to palm oil, agriculture or other land uses. A business-as-usual scenario, whereby non-protected forests would be converted along the lines of current development plans, will result in the loss of more than half of the current orangutan range on the island of Borneo in the next 50 years or so.
Ancrenaz, M., Gumal, M., Marshall, A.J., Meijaard, E., Wich , S.A. & Husson, S. 2016. Pongo pygmaeus (errata version published in 2018). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T17975A123809220. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T17975A17966347.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Sumatran Orangutans are iconic species of South East Asia. They live in moist lowland forest, montane forest and peat swamps of Sumatra. Rarely do they travel on the ground and spend most of their lives in the tree tops. They mostly are frugivores but will also on occasion eat meat. There are less than 14,000 Sumatran Orangutans, their main threat is #palmoil, #timber and #mining deforestation. Use your wallet as a weapon and fight for them. Help them and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife!
The Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) is a critically endangered great ape known for their distinctive red-orange fur, arboreal lifestyle, and exceptional intelligence. Endemic to the island of Sumatra, these primates play a crucial ecological role as seed dispersers and forest gardeners, ensuring the health of their rainforest habitats.
However, their numbers have dwindled due to habitat destruction, poaching, and climate change. As one of the slowest-reproducing mammals on Earth, they are particularly vulnerable to population declines. With fewer than 14,000 individuals left in the wild, urgent conservation action is needed. Boycott palm oil and fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
Appearance and Behaviour
Sumatran orangutans are the smallest of the three orangutan species, with males weighing between 70–90 kg and females averaging 30–50 kg. Their shaggy, reddish fur provides insulation against the cool, humid rainforest environment. Males develop prominent cheek pads (flanges) and a throat sac that enhances their long-distance calls, allowing them to assert dominance and attract mates.
They are primarily arboreal, spending over 90% of their time in the forest canopy. Unlike their Bornean counterparts, Sumatran orangutans rarely descend to the ground due to the presence of large predators such as tigers. They exhibit advanced cognitive abilities, including tool use—fashioning sticks to extract termites or honey from tree holes—and using leaves as makeshift umbrellas during rainfall (van Noordwijk et al., 2004).
Recent studies have highlighted their complex social structures and memory capabilities. For example, individuals exhibit delayed gratification and problem-solving skills comparable to young human children, reflecting their advanced intelligence (Springer, 2024).
Geographic Range
Sumatran orangutans are confined to the forests of northern Sumatra, primarily within the Leuser Ecosystem, which encompasses Aceh and North Sumatra provinces. This area, a UNESCO World Heritage site, harbours the largest remaining population.
Once widespread across Sumatra, their range has contracted by more than 60% in the past century due to deforestation, primarily for palm oil plantations. Fragmented forest patches further isolate populations, impeding gene flow and increasing the risk of inbreeding (IUCN, 2020).
Diet
Sumatran orangutans are predominantly frugivorous, with fruits comprising around 60–70% of their diet. Figs are a dietary staple, while durian, rambutans, and mangoes are seasonal favourites. They also consume young leaves, bark, insects, and even soil to supplement their mineral intake.
During mast fruiting events—periods when forest trees synchronously produce abundant fruit—they travel long distances to forage. Seasonal foraging behaviours have been well-documented, with orangutans adapting their diets based on fruit availability, highlighting their ecological adaptability (Wich et al., 2006). As seed dispersers, they play an essential role in maintaining forest biodiversity, helping regenerate up to 500 tree species (Science Advances, 2015).
Reproduction and Mating
Sumatran orangutans have one of the slowest reproductive rates of all mammals. Females reach sexual maturity at around 15 years and give birth to a single offspring every 8–9 years, making them particularly vulnerable to population decline.
Infants remain with their mothers for up to eight years, during which they learn essential survival skills such as foraging, nest building, and navigating the canopy. This prolonged dependency fosters strong maternal bonds and social learning.
A longitudinal study revealed that females often delay reproduction during periods of food scarcity, ensuring optimal conditions for raising offspring (van Noordwijk et al., 2004). However, this slow reproductive rate makes population recovery exceedingly difficult.
Threats
The Sumatran orangutan is critically endangered, with fewer than 14,000 individuals remaining. Conservation efforts include habitat restoration, reforestation, anti-poaching patrols, and the establishment of wildlife corridors to reconnect fragmented forests.
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Palm oil and timber deforestation:
Over 80% of their rainforest habitat has been destroyed for palm oil plantations, logging, and infrastructure development. Between 2000 and 2020, Sumatra lost over 1.6 million hectares of primary forest (IUCN, 2020).
Poaching and Illegal Wildlife Trade:
Infants are captured for the illegal pet trade, often resulting in the death of their protective mothers.
Climate Change:
Altered rainfall patterns and increased forest fires threaten food availability, leading to malnutrition and lower reproductive success (ScienceDirect, 2024).
Human-Wildlife Conflict:
As forests shrink, orangutans increasingly raid crops, leading to retaliatory killings by farmers.
Population Fragmentation:
Habitat loss isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to diseases and environmental changes (Yale Environment Review, 2024).
Organisations such as the Sumatran Orangutan Conservation Programme (SOCP) have rehabilitated and released over 300 rescued orangutans into the wild. Ecotourism initiatives have also provided funding for conservation while raising awareness about their plight.
However, habitat destruction for palm oil continues at an alarming rate, threatening to nullify these efforts. Stronger legal protections, international pressure, and consumer awareness are vital for their survival.
Take Action!
Protect the Sumatran orangutan by boycotting palm oil and supporting conservation organisations working to save their rainforest habitats. Use your voice to demand stronger legal protections and share their story. Together, we can ensure a future for one of the world’s most intelligent and endangered primates. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Sumatran Orangutan photography by Craig Jones
“Orangutans are us and we are them in so many ways. Their peaceful mannerism and intelligence is just remarkable.
“I feel there is so much we still don’t know about these great apes. For as long as I walk this earth I will do my best to help them, alongside every other creature we share this planet with, by using my camera and my own voice to help them. Without direct intervention in the national parks the Orangutans along with other forest-dependent wildlife- like the Sumatran Tigers and Elephants will become progressively scarcer until their populations are no longer viable.” ~ Craig Jones, Wildlife Photographer, Conservationist.
The Sumatran Orangutan’s survival is seriously threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation (Wich et al. 2008, 2011, 2016). Forests continue to be cleared at the large and medium scale for oil-palm plantations that can each cover hundreds of square kilometres.
iUCN Red list
On a smaller scale, logging for timber (both legal and illegal) remains a threat, as does the creation of new roads, which fragment populations and gives access to illegal settlements and further encroachment for agriculture and plantations (also frequently illegal), and to wildlife poachers. When industrial plantations are established, the resident orangutans are forced to seek refuge in adjacent forest patches, if any remain, but in the long term they are likely to succumb to malnutrition and starvation due to competition and limited resources. Such forest fragments are often subsequently cleared as well. Read more
Sumatran Orangutans are frequently killed deliberately, completely illegally, and surviving infants end up in an illegal pet trade. This trade tends to be a by-product of habitat conversion, for example, if an Orangutan is found in an isolated patch of trees during the conversion process, there is a high probability they will be killed. Sumatran Orangutans are also regularly killed in human-wildlife conflict situations, for example, if raiding fruit crops on farmland at the forest edge (Wich et al. 2012).
Singleton, I., Wich , S.A., Nowak, M., Usher, G. & Utami-Atmoko, S.S. 2017. Pongo abelii (errata version published in 2018). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T121097935A123797627. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T121097935A115575085.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
These unique and beautiful creatures face a threat to their very existence from the replacement of their rainforest home with oil palm plantations in Northern and South East Asia. These lush and fertile forests harbour an immense range of biodiversity not found anywhere on the planet. Thinking, feeling, intelligent beings that love their children and just want to survive and have their animal communities left in peace. Hot spots for palm oil deforestation include: Borneo, Sumatra, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Burma, Thailand, Brunei, The Philippines, Malaysia, India and Sri Lanka. These animals have a IUCN Red List status of Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable and are declining. Yet there is hope and there are a number of ways you can take action to protect them.
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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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
As parts of Asia’s rainforests are almost completely destroyed by palm oil, attention of palm oil companies has shifted towards Africa for industrial scale palm oil. All associated air and water pollution, human rights, greenwashing and animal extinction problems associated with palm oil are now taking place in Africa.
Many species of primates, birds, reptiles, insects and others are either directly or indirectly threatened by the replacement of rainforest habitat with oil palm plantations located in palm oil hotspots in Africa such as the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo. These animals have rapidly declining populations and are now classified as Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable.
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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.
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
Fragile Mount Nimba Reed Frogs 🐸💚 hang on to life in Côte d’Ivoire 🇨🇮 Africa. Seldom seen and often forgotten, they’re endangered due to palmoil and meat agriculture. Serving as both predator and prey, Mount Nimba Reed Frogs are integral to the local ecology of Mount Nimba. Take action and advocate for indigenous-led conservation initiatives that prioritise the biodiversity protection. Fight for their survival when you shop and #BoycottMeat#BoycottPalmOil#Boycott4Wildlife
The Mount Nimba Reed Frog is a tiny, curious and captivating amphibian living deep in the lush landscapes of Côte d’Ivoire’s swamps. Their survival is crucial and reflects the overall health of their delicate mangrove and swamp ecosystem.
Appearance and Behaviour
Adorned with a striking red-brown network pattern interspersed with dark spots, the Mount Nimba Reed Frog is instantly recognisable. Their behaviours, such as their characteristic calls at the edges of swamps, add to the rich tapestry of life in their habitat.
Geographical Range and Habitat
Endemic to the eastern foothills of Mount Nimba in Côte d’Ivoire, these frogs inhabit subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and swamps. They thrive in swampy forests and even in rice fields within degraded forests and areas of secondary growth.
Diet
As insectivores, Mount Nimba Reed Frogs play a vital role in controlling insect populations in swamp ecosystems.
Threats
The Mount Nimba Reed Frog is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with their population continuing to decline. Immediate action is needed to address the pressures they face. Mount Nimba Reed Frogs face a range of human-related threats to their ongoing survival:
• Habitat Destruction: Forests are being cleared for agricultural expansion, including rice farming, which disrupts their natural habitat.
• Human Encroachment: The development of infrastructure and settlements poses ongoing threats to their fragile ecosystems.
• Pollution: Agricultural runoff from palm oil, rice and other pollutants degrade the quality of the swamps they rely on for survival.
• Climate Change: Altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures further stress their already restricted habitats.
References:
• Kouamé, N. G., Assemian, N. E., Tohe, B., & Adeba, P. J. (2016). Rediscovery of the Mount Nimba Reedfrog, Hyperolius nimbae LAURENT, 1958, in western Ivory Coast. Herpetozoa, 29(1-2), 3-13.
• IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group. (2017). Hyperolius nimbae. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T56170A16926587.
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
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Found across the remaining fragments of West and Central African rainforest, the elusive White-bellied Pangolin is a nocturnal, arboreal insectivore whose very body has become a global commodity.
The White-bellied Pangolin also commonly known as the Tree Pangolin are fascinating creatures akin to giant pest controllers, estimated to consume around 70 million insects per year. #Pangolins don’t have teeth, rather they have scales lining their stomachs which aid them in the digestion of food that is swallowed whole. Baby pangolins often ride on their mother’s backs and and are known as pango pups. They are able to use their tails to support their body weight and can walk upright on their hind legs.
With their bodies armoured in keratin scales and their gentle, silent movements through the treetops, white-bellied pangolins have been described as one of the most extraordinary yet most misunderstood creatures on Earth.
Also known as the African Tree Pangolin, these slender and shy mammals are covered head to tail in overlapping, pale brown or yellowish scales made entirely of keratin. These scales provide formidable protection against predators, curling into a ball when threatened—a defence mechanism that unfortunately makes them easy targets for poachers. Adults typically weigh between 1.5 to 2.5 kilograms and grow to about 30 to 40 cm in body length, with tails often longer than their bodies to aid climbing.
Although often thought of as ground-dwelling, White-bellied Pangolins are superb climbers, capable of scaling tall trees with ease. Their prehensile tails help them balance while they forage along branches. They are largely nocturnal, solitary creatures, most active in the dark hours of night when they hunt for ants and termites. Motion-activated camera traps in West and Central African forests have shown them traversing forest floors and climbing high into the canopy, displaying surprising agility and adaptability (Akpona et al., 2008).
Social encounters are rare and brief, usually related to mating. White-bellied pangolins are silent and secretive, with subtle olfactory communication being their primary form of interaction. Even within protected areas, their presence is more often indicated by signs—like feeding holes or scat—than by direct sightings. Despite this elusiveness, they are now frequently detected in bushmeat markets across the region, highlighting the immense pressure they are under (Boakye et al., 2016).
Diet
White-bellied Pangolins feed exclusively on social insects—primarily ants and termites—which they locate using an acute sense of smell. Once prey is detected, they use their powerful, curved claws to tear open nests and extract insects using a long, sticky tongue that can extend more than 25 cm. Unlike other insectivores, they have no teeth; instead, they rely on their muscular stomach to grind food.
Their diet makes them ecological engineers, playing a critical role in controlling ant and termite populations and aerating soil through their foraging activity. This insectivorous diet also makes them highly vulnerable to habitat degradation, since many of their preferred prey species are sensitive to disturbance and disappear from logged or converted lands. A recent survey in the Oluwa Forest Reserve found that pangolin presence was strongly correlated with the abundance of ant and termite mounds, both of which are declining due to increasing land use (Adeniji et al., 2023).
Reproduction and Mating
Pangolins have slow reproductive rates. Females typically give birth to a single offspring after a gestation of around 150 days. Newborns are tiny, weighing around 80-100 grams, with soft, pink scales that harden over time. Young are known as ‘Pango Pups’. For the first few weeks, infants are carried on their mother’s tail, clinging tightly as she forages.
Breeding appears to occur year-round, though data is scarce. Most pangolin offspring are likely born during periods of high insect availability. Observations in Gabon have noted that most adult females encountered during field surveys were pregnant or nursing, suggesting near-continuous breeding potential (Pagès, 1975). However, due to intense poaching, pregnant and nursing pangolins are disproportionately removed from the wild, further destabilising populations.
Geographic Range
Phataginus tricuspis is the most widespread of all African pangolin species, ranging from Guinea-Bissau and Senegal in the west to north-western Tanzania and northern Angola in the east and south. It is present in at least 23 countries. Despite this wide distribution, populations are heavily fragmented, and many former strongholds—especially in West Africa—have seen local extinctions or drastic declines.
In Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire, intensive habitat conversion for logging, agriculture, and urban development has devastated forests, and pangolins are now rare outside protected areas. Studies in Osun and Ondo States have shown sharp declines even in conservation areas due to poaching and ineffective law enforcement (Owolabi et al., 2024; Adeniji et al., 2023). The Yaoundé bushmeat markets in Cameroon have been identified as key hubs for trafficking pangolins sourced from up to 600 km away, revealing the extent of illegal harvesting across Central Africa (Dipita et al., 2024).
White-bellied Pangolins were often caught in abandoned or little-used oil palm plantations.
IUCN Red List
Wildlife Trafficking: Phataginus tricuspis is the most trafficked African pangolin species. Between 2013 and 2019, an estimated 400,000 individuals were killed for their scales alone (Challender et al., 2019).
Traditional Medicine and Bushmeat: Pangolins are widely consumed across West Africa and used in traditional rituals and pseudo medicine, particularly in Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon (Soewu & Ayodele, 2009).
Palm Oil Deforestation:Industrial palm oil expansion is a major driver of forest loss throughout the species’ range. In Nigeria and Cameroon, pangolins are losing critical habitat to monoculture plantations (Adeniji et al., 2023).
Habitat Fragmentation: Rapid human population growth and road expansion are isolating forest patches and making pangolins more accessible to poachers (Owolabi et al., 2024).
Take Action!
Boycott palm oil products to help save the White-bellied Pangolin and the forests they depend on. Support grassroots and indigenous-led conservation efforts in West and Central Africa. Demand stricter enforcement against wildlife trafficking and campaign online against the use of pangolins in traditional medicine. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
FAQs
How many White-bellied Pangolins are left in the wild?
There is no precise global population estimate due to their elusive nature and widespread poaching. However, local studies and market data suggest the species is in steep decline. In Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon, hunters now consider the species to be rare or extirpated from many former habitats (Akpona et al., 2008; Ingram et al., 2018).
Why are pangolins hunted?
They are hunted for meat, traditional medicine, spiritual rituals, and increasingly, for international markets in China and Vietnam where their scales are used in pseudo-medicinal compounds. Scales from at least 200,000 pangolins were trafficked between 2015 and 2019 (Challender et al., 2019).
Do palm oil plantations affect pangolins?
Yes. The conversion of natural forest to palm oil monocultures destroys their habitat, reduces food sources, and makes pangolins more vulnerable to hunting. In southern Nigeria, White-bellied Pangolins were once found even in degraded farms, but monocultures support fewer ants and termites, removing their core diet (Sodeinde & Adedipe, 1994).
Do pangolins make good pets?
Absolutely not. Pangolins are solitary, wild animals with highly specialised diets. They cannot survive long in captivity, and the illegal pet trade drives their extinction. Keeping them as pets is cruel and ecologically devastating.
Adeniji, A. E., Ejidike, B. N., Olaniyi, O. E., & Akala, V. T. (2023). Distribution and threat to white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) in Oluwa Forest Reserve, Ondo State, Nigeria. Journal of Research in Forestry, Wildlife and Environment, 15(2). https://www.ajol.info/index.php/jrfwe/article/view/252333
Dipita, A. D., Missoup, A. D., Aguillon, S., Lecompte, E., Momboua, B. R., Chaber, A. L., … & Gaubert, P. (2024). Genetic tracing of the illegal trade of the white-bellied pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis) in western Central Africa. Scientific Reports, 14, 13131. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63666-9
Ingram, D. J., Coad, L., Abernethy, K. A., Maisels, F., Stokes, E. J., Bobo, K. S., … & Simo, M. (2018). Assessing Africa-wide pangolin hunting pressures and trade. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 6, 25. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12389
Owolabi, B. A., Akinsorotan, O. A., Adewumi, A. A., & Sanusade, A. O. (2024). Locals’ perceptions, knowledge, and attitudes regarding the conservation of the critically endangered Phataginus tricuspis. ResearchSquare. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3944447/v1
Pietersen, D., Moumbolou, C., Ingram, D.J., Soewu, D., Jansen, R., Sodeinde, O., Keboy Mov Linkey Iflankoy, C., Challender, D. & Shirley, M.H. 2019. Phataginus tricuspis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T12767A123586469. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T12767A123586469.en. Downloaded on 17 January 2021.
Soewu, D. A., & Ayodele, I. A. (2009). Utilization of pangolins in traditional Yorubic medicine in Ijebu province, Ogun State, Nigeria. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 5, 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-5-39
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.
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.
More and more palm oil free 🦧 products in Australia 🇦🇺. Customer awareness is increasing month by month. Of course Bart Van Assen will keep pushing "sustainable" palm oil with Orangutan Land Trust. Boycott palm oil to protect wildlife! There is not planet B #boycott4wildlifepic.twitter.com/rm7chub5Rb
If possible to get Ovomaltine, please promote it among your friends. It openly advertises with 0 palm oil. No RSPO no bullshit. For me it even tasts better than nuttela. It substantiates that chocolate spread can be made delicious without filthy palm oil. pic.twitter.com/cyV5Tm3tLd
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
Palm Oil Detectives 