Image Courtesy: ABC
Palm oil is a biofuel that gives us many benefits too. And also, this vegetable oil is affordable and can also use for cosmetics and furniture. Due to its diversity, about 50% of all consumer products use palm oil for a variety of reasons. The market for this flexible oil in today’s world is also growing. Even so, palm oil production has a serious impact on our ecosystem. Although it is the most widely promoted biofuel, the demand for palm oil has led to increased deforestation, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia. Due to the increase in palm oil cultivation, it is home to endangered and endangered species such as orangutans, pygmy elephants, and Sumatran rhinos.
There have been several incidents before dealing with the fact that animals are being harmed by deforestation in those areas. Unfortunately, another tragedy has occurred. The injured Sumatra Orangutan was found with her malnourished child at a palm oil estate in the Subulussalam district of the Aceh province on the island of Sumatra.
On March 10, 2019, when rescuers found the Orangutan mother and child, we went to a quarantine center. Sadly, the baby breathed his last on the way. When the injured mother received the orangutan, the veterinarians were surprised. They called it ‘Hope.’ When the X-ray report came back, veterinarians pointed out that Hope had about 74 air rifle bullets in his body. A few pills in both her eyes caused her blindness. The bones in the neck and other bones were also broken. According to IFL Science, her right hand was injured by several sharp objects.
Orangutan is currently undergoing surgery for her broken arm, and the petals are being removed from her body.
The problem facing the Orangutans in Indonesia is nothing new. According to the Orangutan Conservation Program, many people use air guns to kill or shoot orangutans or other animals. In the last ten years, cats have tested more than 15 orangutans and removed more than 500 air guns from their guns. Even in 2018, after being shot 130 times with air guns, an Orangutan was killed in the Indonesian area of Borneo.
According to the IUCN Red List, there are about 13,500 Sumatran orangutans in the wild. A study of cell biology found that the Orangutan population had been declining sharply since 1999. The main reasons for this loss are biodiversity and human intervention. Now, it is time for us to take essential steps to protect these endangered species. Palm oil may need, but our demand for it may be limited. For our animal friends, that is the least we can do.
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