Week 5: The importance of protecting Malaysia's orangutans

Hello, I'm Nishi, pursuing my major in Biotechnology at Swinburne University of Technology. To all my friends: hello! Our trip into the orangutan culture of Malaysia begins now. Orangutans - the wise old men of the Malaysian jungles - are at a crossroads. These gentle giants are on the verge of extinction, and it's up to us to keep them from disappearing forever from the wild.

The orangutan, also known as the "people of the forest," is a critically endangered primate highly valued in Malaysia. Orangutans are highly esteemed due to their intellect, flexibility, and striking likeness to humans. However, their survival is threatened by several factors, including the destruction of their habitat, illegal poaching, and the spread of palm oil plantations (The Neglected Ape n.d.).

I was alarmed to learn about the rising trend of orangutan hunting for the illicit pet trade in a recent news article. The acquisition of orangutans to satisfy the desire for exotic pets has devastating effects on the species, including upsetting their social order and adding significant strain to their rapidly diminishing population. Such actions require strong condemnation and stricter enforcement and sanctions to prevent wildlife trafficking.

Another major problem for orangutans is the destruction of their rainforest habitats. The relentless spread of palm oil plantations has led to the destruction of large rainforest areas, leaving fewer food sources and less stable habitats for orangutans. The orangutans are being displaced because we use their habitats to produce food and cosmetics. The problem is complex but possible. We hold considerable sway as customers. To solve this problem, customers must insist on buying palm oil goods from responsible suppliers and for businesses to implement greener procedures (Orangutans and Palm Oil: Protecting Forests to Help Great Apes n.d.).

The Bornean Orangutan Survival Foundation is only one of many groups working relentlessly to save orphaned and injured orangutans. In addition to protecting individual orangutans, their work aids in the species' survival. By supporting these organisations through donations or volunteering, we can actively assist in saving orangutans.

Finally, it's essential to get the word out about the role orangutans play in maintaining a healthy ecosystem. We can instil a sense of responsibility and compassion for these majestic animals by teaching the public, especially the younger generation, about the vital role orangutans play in seed dissemination and forest regeneration (Tarszisz et al. 2018).

I have learned from my studies just how important it is to preserve the orangutan population in Malaysia. By actively engaging in conservation activities, supporting trustworthy organisations, and sharing knowledge, we can strive towards a future where orangutan populations survive and prosper.

In conclusion, "Protecting Malaysia's Precious Wildlife" stresses the importance of taking immediate action to curb the extinction crisis. The brutal facts of the world and the glimmer of hope offered by conservation were both brought home to us on this journey. Let's take this understanding into our daily lives to ensure that Malaysia's wildlife can continue to flourish in the future along with us.

References

Orangutans and Palm Oil: Protecting Forests to Help Great Apes, (n.d.), World Wildlife Fund, viewed 4 November 2023, <https://www.worldwildlife.org/magazine/issues/summer-2015/articles/orangutans-and-palm-oil-protecting-forests-to-help-great-apes>.

Tarszisz, E., Tomlinson, S., Harrison, M. E., Morrogh‐Bernard, H. C., & Munn, A. J., 2018, An ecophysiologically informed model of seed dispersal by orangutans: linking animal movement with gut passage across time and space, Conservation Physiology; Oxford University Press, viewed 4 November 2023, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6007347/>.

The Neglected Ape, (n.d.), SpringerLink, viewed 4 November 2023, <https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-1-4899-1091-2>.