Deforestation linked to palm oil is still pushing into key habitats of the endangered Bornean orangutan, even as scientists and conservationists raise serious concerns. On Borneo, forest areas that serve as crucial feeding and migration zones are being cleared for new plantations, including regions previously flagged for their high ecological value. In Indonesia’s Kalimantan region, thousands of hectares of rainforest are either already lost or at risk, further fragmenting one of the orangutan’s last strongholds.
This continued expansion is happening despite mounting evidence of rapid population decline. Orangutans have already lost a significant portion of their habitat over the past few decades, with fewer than 100,000 individuals estimated to remain in the wild. Indonesia and Malaysia dominate global palm oil production, and the industry remains a leading driver of forest loss in the region. Experts warn that ongoing clearing not only destroys habitat but also isolates animal populations and increases deadly human-wildlife encounters, accelerating the species’ path toward extinction if urgent protections are not enforced. More