Sumatran Orang

- No description given -

comments (11)

Ludo Sak

Lion

"Only 6600 critically endangered Sumatran Orangutans remain in the wild. 6000 of these depend for survival on the rainforest habitat provided by the Gunung Lesseur National Park in Northern Sumatra. Removal of illegal palm oil plantations, replanting and guarding the Orangutan's home territory along with education and public information campaigns are carried out by the Orangutan Centre and the Sumatran Orangutan Society supported by Rainforest Rescue ."
A true shame, I've uploaded a video. The text here is the one from the video. Posted 12 years ago
1. Graeme Ruck
  
  Lion
  
  What is the sad part is the fact the government of Indonesia are making a lot of money from this and turn a blind eye to nature. They are the only country I know of that is clearing National Parks for more plantations Posted 12 years ago

Ludo Sak

Lion

Great shot, it would even be enhanced more without the disturbing contrast of the rockish thing at the lower right corner. Love the sad pose. Given the endangered status I wonder a bit less about why.. Posted 12 years ago
1. Graeme Ruck
  
  Lion
  
  thanks for your comments. I thought of cropping but would have lost a lot of the Orang Posted 12 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

I agree with Ludo, the sadness on this apes face speaks a thousand words. Lets hope that the amount of bad press palm oil is getting at the moment people will realise what it is doing to our most treasured wildlife and the environment in which they live.
I for one will not touch anything that is remotely connected with palm oil. Posted 12 years ago
1. Ferdy Christant
  
  Lion
  
  I was visiting Malaysia, flying at a low altitude in a small plane over endless fields of palm oil plants. I remember thinking how evil the corporations behind them must be.
  
  Next I realized I am part of the problem. I buy products with palm oil in them. I didn't even realize that I do, but I do. And it's in so many products, I still struggle to avoid it.
  
  That's why ultimately important resource decisions should not be left to consumers. The same is true for hardwood, the bio meat industry and other industries. Consumers will not know or not care enough to go for any product but the cheapest.
  
  I simply believe in banning such products altogether, taking out the choice completely. It's harsh but the only effective way. If this hurts "purchasing power", so bloody what. All creatures should use what is reasonably available, not some artificial unsustainable level that we made up.
  
  Sorry, end of rant. Posted 12 years ago
2. 1. Claire Hamilton
    
    Lion
    
    Oh no apology needed and I think you are absolutely right, as consumers we are ignorant to where our food comes from and how it gets to us. The whole world seems to be obsessed with economy and be damned anything that has to suffer in order to produce something cheap. I shall leave it there or I will get all cross!!! Posted 12 years ago
  2. 1. Graeme Ruck
      
      Lion
      
      Claire the biggest problem isn't palm oil as such but the unstainable farming practice that is used. If only the people knew how to crop rotate and fertilize the soil they wouldn't need to clear so much land. But for a quick profit they ruin the soil and move on to the next plot. After that nothing will ever grow there, the soil levels drop around 1-2 metres and is unusable. If they keep going the only place to see their own beautiful wildlife is in Zoos in other countries. Posted 12 years ago, modified 12 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

The problem is knowing who, if anyone, is using sustainable farming practices. I just find it easier to give it a wide berth where I can. Of course it isn't just palm oil plantations, there are a whole host of other practices that are destroying land and the wildlife on it.
Thankfully though there are numerous organisations working hard to reverse the damage mankind has done. Posted 12 years ago
1. Graeme Ruck
  
  Lion
  
  Side note on oil palm, is what Australia is asking is that labels on food items etc are clearly marked if they use sustainable farming or not. What Melbourne Zoo has started is a program called Don't Palm us off, and through this program they are getting some very large producer around the world to use only sustainable palm oil. They are getting a lot of good feedback from companies and some have changed over. I know these are small steps but you have to start somewhere. Posted 12 years ago

Claire Hamilton

Lion

Interesting, thanks Graeme Posted 12 years ago

The Sumatran orangutan

The Sumatran orangutan is one of the two species of orangutans. Found only on the island of Sumatra, in Indonesia, it is rarer than the Bornean orangutan.

Info 17 1

Similar species: Primates

Species identified by Graeme Ruck

By Graeme Ruck

Uploaded Jul 31, 2013. Captured Jul 13, 2011 10:51.

Canon EOS 1000D
f/5.0
1/64s
ISO800
205mm

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