Bornean Orangutans Declared Critically Endangered
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Bornean Orangutans Declared Critically Endangered

Orangutan species now face risk of extinction.

31
Bornean Orangutans Declared Critically Endangered
World Wildlife Fund

The Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus) is now critically endangered due to habitat destruction, habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, and illegal hunting, as declared by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has been estimated by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) that only 45,000 – 69,000 Bornean orangutans remain.

The Bornean orangutans now join their cousins, the Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelii), which have been listed as critically endangered since 2008, with only about 14,000 remaining today. This change signifies that orangutans face an “extremely high risk of extinction in the wild” (IUCN), as both living species are now considered critically endangered.

Bornean orangutans live only on the island of Borneo, and have declined in population by 60% since 1950. It is estimated that their population will fall another 22% by 2025, equating a total 82% population loss between 1950 and 2025.

This meets the criteria for the IUCN’s definition of critical endangerment: “an observed, estimated, inferred, projected, or suspected population size reduction of above 80% over any ten-year or three-generation period.”

Andrew Marshall, who was part of the IUCN assessment, made a statement to Mongabay saying that despite past conservation efforts, orangutan conservation is still failing as it has not yet reached stable or increasing population, and Borneo’s rainforests continue to be poorly monitored.

Only 59.6% of Borneo’s rainforests were suitable for its orangutans in 2010. With continued illegal hunting and habitat degradation among other threats to the population, this number has only dwindled further. In addition to this, many orangutan populations in these areas are settled in smaller patches of the forest which are or soon will be unable to sustain the groups living there. While these populations have the opportunity to adapt to survive (and orangutans are fairly keen on adaptation), poor health and smaller numbers will likely interfere with reproduction and population upkeep.

This study by the IUCN is the first good look in decades at the Bornean orangutan population. “The problem with assessing species like orangutans is there is such a long time-lag effect. Many populations in these forest fragments may be heading toward extinction already, and the grim reality is there is little we can do to alter this trajectory,” said Marshall. “We could remove every threat right now, and many populations would continue to decline for several generations.”

These mammals are incredibly long-lived, have long generations, are long to reach sexual maturity (around 11 years old for females), and have the longest birth interval of any land mammal. This together with the ever-increasing threats to the population have contributed to the difficulties in assessment by the IUCN.

John Platt, who has written about orangutan conservation for over a decade, points to the Indonesian and Malaysian government as a point deserving crucial attention: until these government systems get a handle on illegal deforestation, uncontrolled burning, and the poor practices of legal industries in the rainforest, the Bornean orangutans will only continue to see a population decline.However, this label does not guarantee extinction. Researchers and animal advocates are keeping their optimism. Indonesian president, Joko Widodo, has said he would work to limit the palm oil industry’s growth in an effort to protect the animals who live in these rainforests. If these policies are properly enforced, the orangutans still have a good chance at survival.

Marshall has proposed that we place a higher conservation concern and value on degraded lands as well as look for approaches to conservation which engage with industries that have long been considered adversaries to the environmentalist cause. In order to move forward, we must look to engage directly with these issues and industries to find how best to protect all species of these rainforests.

“Although I think things will likely get worse before they get better,” Marshall said, “it’s not too late for orangutans.”

-

To learn more about the Bornean orangutans, visit the IUCN Redlist. To find out how you can help, visit the World Wildlife Fund’s page on Bornean orangutans to donate to the fund or adopt an orangutan.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

15800
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

945393
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

122317
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments