Tag Archives: Mammal

Sulawesi Babirusa Babyrousa celebensis

The Sulawesi Babirusa also known as the North Sulawesi Babirusa are hog-like animals are found on Sulawesi Island along with nearby islands Lembeh, Buton, and Muna in Indonesia.

They have a mottled grey-and-brown skin that helps them blend into their forested habitat. One remarkable feature of babirusas is their large tusks. They have two pairs of elongated canine teeth that curve upward and backward towards their heads.

For males, their upper canines grow so long that they protrude through holes in the flesh on the top of their snouts. Sadly, these unique creatures are threatened by deforestation caused by the palm oil and timber industries along with hunting and mining. You can help by making conscious choices. Consider going vegan to support the movement against palm oil, and join the call to boycott palm oil and protect wildlife with the hashtags #Vegan, #Boycottpalmoil, and #Boycott4Wildlife. Together, we can make a difference for the Sulawesi Babirusa and their habitat.

Alta Floresta titi monkey Plecturocebus grovesi

The enchanting Groves Titi Monkey, also referred to as the Alta Floresta titi monkey or Mato Grosso titi monkey made a remarkable entry into the spotlight only recently in 2016 when they were classified by scientists. They belong to the Eastern Amazonian clade of the red-bellied titi monkey (P. moloch) group and are known for their vividly coloured fur and rowdy rainforest vocalisations. They face multiple anthropogenic threats including hunting gold mining, palm oil, meat and soy deforestation and hydroelectric dams. Help them to survive each time you shop, be #vegan and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Bougainville Monkey-faced Bat Pteralopex anceps

In the verdant, high-altitude forests of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, and Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands, lives an intriguing creature—the Bougainville Monkey-faced bat or, as some call them, the Bougainville Flying Monkey. These bats are the titans of their family, boasting arm spans stretching impressively between 14.1 to 16 cm. They are endangered, mostly from palm oil and mining deforestation and hunting. Help them to survive every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Colombian Red Howler Monkey Alouatta seniculus

Red howlers are the largest of the howler monkey species. They have dense fur that ranges from brown to dark red, with gold or bright orange undersides – the colour can vary based on their age and habitat. Their bare, dark faces contrast with the surrounding fur. They have stubby noses, wide jaws, and thick beards. Their throats appear swollen due to an enlarged hyoid bone at the base of the tongue. Males are larger, with darker and denser beards. Their tails are exceptionally long, with the last third being hairless underneath, which helps them grip branches better. They face multiple threats including palm oil, soy and meat deforestation, the construction of hydroelectric dams, hunting and human persecution. Help them to survive each time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Palm oil plantations increase risk of infant death for Southern Pig-tailed Macaques

In Peninsular Malaysia, a new study published in Cell Biology by a team led by Dr Anna Holzner of German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig has found that infant mortality rates among wild southern pig-tailed macaques are alarmingly high due to frequent visits to oil palm plantations.

These plantations expose the infants to increased risks from predators, human encounters, and harmful agricultural chemicals, potentially affecting the development and survival of infant macaques. The study, conducted in collaboration of international researchers, observed that prolonged exposure to these plantations during infancy triples the likelihood of death.

The study suggests that pesticides used in agriculture could cross the placental barrier or be transmitted through breastmilk, impacting fetal development and health. This significant research underlines the urgent need for eco-friendly agricultural practices to protect wildlife and human communities near plantations. Take action and join the movement to #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop!

Campbell’s Mona Monkey Cercopithecus campbelli

Inquisitive and highly social Campbell’s Mona Monkeys are known for their intense hazel eyes and bright yellow brows. They use their large puffy cheeks to store food while they climb to the top of tree canopies to eat it. Males will engage in a dawn and dusk symphony of calling along with other species in a coordinated ritual. They are Near Threatened due to hunting and extensive forest loss throughout their range in West Africa for palm oil, coffee, cocoa and mining. Help them every time you shop by using your wallet as a weapon – #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Mandrill Mandrillus sphinx

Magnificent #mandrills are undoubtedly one of the world’s most photogenic monkeys – famous for their brightly coloured and expressive appearance. Their bright blue rumps and vivid red, yellow and pink faces become even more deeply colourful when they’re excited. Males use their extra long canines for self-defence, but exposing their teeth can also be a sign of friendliness. Mandrills are important seed dispersers and a critical part of keeping the ecosystem in balance. These beautiful monkeys are vulnerable from palm oil, meat and cocoa deforestation and intensive poaching. Help their survival and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Margay Leopardus wiedii

Graceful, athletic and beautiful feline of the Amazon jungle, margays are small wild cats endemic to South and Central America. Every margay has a unique spotted pattern on their coat. They depend heavily on the rainforest canopy for hunting small mammals, reptiles and amphibians and are thought to mimic the call of the pied tamarin in order to hunt for them. Deforestation for #palmoil, soy and meat along with illegal poaching are devastating to them. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

African Manatee Trichechus senegalensis

In the folklore of West Africa, there’s a fascinating character called Maame Water, believed to be a goddess of the sea, she symbolises wealth and beauty. Maame Water is none other than the African Manatee!

The Serer people of Senegal, the Gambia, and Mauritania hold the African Manatee in high regard, considering them sacred and a guardian of the secrets of the future according to their creation myth. This precious species is vulnerable from palm oil deforestation, hunting and pollution. They perform an essential service to mangrove ecosystems by keeping them healthy. Help them survive and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop!

Northern Muriqui Brachyteles hypoxanthus

Northern Muriquis (AKA Woolly Spider Monkeys) have a striking light brown and golden fur and are known for their rattling vocalisations. They live in large communities and act as critical seed dispersers in the Atlantic forest. There are fewer than 800 individuals left alive and they are critically endangered. Their main threats are palm oil, meat and soy deforestation in Brazil, along with illegal hunting. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife

Indian Rhinoceros (Greater One-horned Rhino) Rhinoceros unicornis

The largest of the three rhino species in Asia, the Indian Rhino has a distinctive and unique armour-plated look which lends them a fairytale quality that has captivated admirers for aeons. Although Indian rhino numbers have climbed over the past decades due to conservation, they are under imminent threat from the expansion of palm oil deforestation in the Assam region of India. A protected national park there is earmarked for destruction. Use your wallet as a weapon every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Bonobo Pan paniscus

Bonobos share 98% of their DNA with humans and are one of our closest extant relatives. They are complex beings with intricate social relationships, they demonstrate profound intelligence and emotional sensitivity.

It is therefore fitting that 14th of February, Valentine’s Day is also the International Day to celebrate Bonobos – Bonobos provide a potent example to humans for how we can resolve conflicts through love and non-violent conflict resolution. They are endangered in DRC/Congo from infectious diseases, illegal poaching and deforestation for palm oil, cocoa and meat and mining throughout their home range. Help their survival every time you shop – be vegan and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.

Africa is becoming the new frontier for oil-palm plantations, which offers excellent economic prospects in countries with appropriate rainfall, soil and temperature conditions (Rival and Levang 2014). A staggering 99.2% of the Bonobo’s range is suitable for oil palm (Wich et al. 2014), highlighting the enormous risk the palm-oil industry will pose unless sustainable management plans are developed and implemented to protect great apes and their habitats (IUCN SSC Primate Specialist Group 2014).

Brown Howler Monkey Alouatta guariba

Despite their namesake, Brown Howlers come in a variety of colours from buff to reddish orange and brown-black. They are well known for their expressive and loud howling which can be heard from up to 2 kilometres away. Excellent seed dispersers, they are essential for maintaining a healthy rainforest. Only 12% of their forest habitat remains. Protect them every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Sunda Pangolin Manis javanica

Sunda pangolins, also known as the Malayan or Javan pangolins, possess quirky traits that make them truly intriguing. They are capable swimmers and have a remarkable defense mechanism of curling into a protective ball, walk in an upside-down manner, and communicate through scale vibrations. As consummate insectivores, they rely on their long, sticky tongues to extract ants and termites from mounds. These pangolins have a slow metabolism, lack teeth but have a gizzard-like structure, and feature a specialised digestive system. To protect these unique creatures and their habitat, it’s crucial to take action. Join the movement and raise awareness by boycotting palm oil, which contributes to deforestation and threatens wildlife. Help them every time you shop and be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket

Waigeo Cuscus Spilocuscus papuensis 

Cryptic and solitary marsupials, Waigeo Cuscuses cling to tree canopies on a Waigeo Island, West Papua. They are classified as vulnerable on IUCN Red List due to palm oil deforestation and mining on the tiny island where they live. Help them each time you shop and be #vegan, #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife

Andean Night Monkey Aotus miconax

Known for their expressive big eyes, Peruvian Night Monkeys are one of the rarest and most beautiful monkeys in the world. They are critically endangered by mining, palm oil and meat deforestation. Help them every time you shop and be vegan, #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife!

Barasingha Cervus duvauceli

Barasinghas (Cervus duvauceli) also known as Swamp Deers, are instantly recognisable for their enormous handsome antlers. They can have as many as 12 antlers and their namesake Barasinghas means ’12 antlered deer’ in Hindi. They are now one of the most endangered deer species in the world due to habitat fragmentation for palm oil and beef. The only remaining population live in protected sanctuaries in India and Nepal. They face many threats, including meat and palm oil deforestation and are listed as vulnerable on IUCN Red List.

Protect them each time you shop by boycotting meat and palm oil in the supermarket.

Dryas Monkey Chlorocebus dryas

Dryas Monkeys are secretive and vividly colourful monkeys who hang on to survival in the forests of the Congo. There is estimated to only be 100-250 individual monkeys still alive. They are fruit-eaters and play a critical role in ensuring the dispersion of seeds and therefore the future health of the DRC’s rainforests. They are preyed upon by leopards in the Congo basin. However, the main threat they face is the illegal poaching and hunting by humans for bushmeat, along with deforestation for palm oil, mining and other commodities.

Protect them each time you shop by boycotting meat and palm oil in the supermarket. #Boycott4Wildlife

Assam Rabbit (Hispid Hare) Caprolagus hispidus

Shy, solitary and wary Hispid hares are most active during dawn and dusk. They often take shelter from predation in tall grasses and the burrows of other animals. They are endangered by multiple human-related threats including palm oil deforestation in the Assam region of India and they also hold to survival in Bhutan and Nepal.

Their main threats are habitat loss to palm oil as well as climate change related extreme weather. Protect them each time you shop by boycotting meat and palm oil in the supermarket.

Banded Surili (Raffles Banded Langur) Presbytis femoralis

A curious and intelligent small monkey species, Raffles’ Banded Langurs are also known by their other common names: Banded Leaf Monkey or Banded Surili. They are endemic to the southern peninsula of Malaysia and Singapore. They are now listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List with their primary threat being palm oil deforestation across their range.

Deforestation and conversion of habitat continue to be the major threats to this species. They particularly affected by oil palm plantations, which are expanding very rapidly within their range. Protect them each time you shop by boycotting meat and palm oil in the supermarket.