I don't know if this is still going on, I have not posted for awhile, but it is of the new hate of orangutans thanks to a stupid commercial, why I have not. I wish to prevent argument, and instead share my opinion and teach about these animals.
Recently, a new show called Orangutan Island came around. Most people here said they didn't like because of the lack of action. But then it seemed like everyone here hated the orangutans because of that "orangutans are the new meerkats" advertisement. Some of them even called them "dirty monkeys". They aren't monkeys,they are apes, and it was a review that said that, not the animals.
It is OK not to like the shows, but please, spare a minute of your time, for those who don't know, to learn about these creatures:
Orangutans make up two species, both endangered. These are the larger, darker, Borneo Orangutans, and the smaller, lighter, and as well
critically endangered Sumatran Orangutans.
The Sumatran Orangutans live on the much higher populated island of Sumatra, with their territory shrinking because of growth and development. As well, being more social and less aggressive individuals, are often stolen to be sold as pets, The sad truth about this illegal activity is that occurs in both species, and only the babies are stolen. Strongly defensive of her young, the mother must be shot, and this means for every one orangutan captured, ten are killed; the mothers, the sick babies, and those who loose the will to survive. Those that do, however, are less then fortunate, living out their life in a small cage or attached to a chain.
This doesn't mean the Borneo Orangutan is safe.
The forest is destroyed for towns, wood, or agriculture, specifically oil palm plantations.
Every year an area of forest the size of Vermont is brought down on their island, mostly for the oil palm. These plants are some of the biggest in the world, palm oil created to go into all sorts of foodstuffs, shampoo and other personal care products, or sold pure. The orangutans are effected, the tigers are effected, along with many other endangered species, and the natives, too. When you remember while shopping, check the ingredients. If it has palm oil, don't buy and remember the consequences. This is one of the worlds biggest biodiversity hotspots, destroyed for a cookie, or a bar of soap. Global warming is also widely boosted by the oil palm, as the long carbon dioxide sucking forests are destroyed.
These are beautiful animals, said by some two be the second smartest animal on Earth, next to humans. Both species were found to host wild "schools", where the mothers and elder females would come together with their young to teach them tools, climbing, and foraging. Colonies of Sumatran orangutans were found to have "cultures", featuring behavior only seen in that area. They are compassionate and extremely expressive, as well as intelligent. Orangutan mothers can be the ultimate altruists, even when there is no food left and their forest destroyed they sacrifice everything for the baby animal at their arms. They are the most brilliant animals I know, and I encourage you to read on.
Lone Dröscher Nielsen's Nyaru Menteng rehabilitation center in Borneo, featured in the Orangutan Island series, is part of the Borneo Orangutan Survival foundation (BOS), a charity and network of multiple rehabilitations centers. Last time I checked, every one of them were over flowing. You may loathe the show, but please not the animals. I recommend checking out their website,
http://savetheorangutan.org/. If this group is able to buy more land for sanctuary, then more orphans will be saved. And more saved means so much to the fate of this beautiful animal.
Thank you for reading.
Azalea
