This video captures an orangutan leaping onto a large tree trunk and running down to try to stop an excavator that is destroying his home.
He even climbs up onto the metal bucket but slips and falls down into the trees that used to be where he lived. The rain continues to pour as he struggles to climb back up again.
As you look at the forest around him, it has been completely destroyed.
This is not a story from a fiction novel, it was actually captured on camera in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. A construction crew was busy demolishing a part of the Sungai Putri Forest. That forest is home to a critically endangered species, the Bornean orangutans.
Fortunately, the orangutan was able to be saved and relocated to a protected area of the forest by the International Animal Rescue (IAR). That being said, his issue is one that shows us just how far these animals have been pushed toward the brink of extinction.
Shocking Footage Shows An Orangutan Seeking Refuge From BulldozerWORLD ENVIRONMENT DAYThis dramatic footage shows the devastating impact deforestation is having on precious orangutan habitat. This desperate orangutan is frantically seeking refuge from the destructive power of the bulldozer; a machine that has already decimated everything else around him. Despite all the obstacles thrown at them, our team were able to rescue this orangutan and bring him to safety. Unfortunately, scenes like this are becoming more and more frequent in Indonesia. Deforestation has caused the orangutan population to plummet; habitats are destroyed and orangutans are left to starve and die.We need to ACT NOW. This World Environment Day, plant a tree and help us rebuild and protect precious orangutan habitat. The situation is critical, and we are running out of time. PLANT A TREE TODAY: https://internationalanimalrescue.org/plant-tree?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=World_Environment_Day_2018&utm_content=videoPlease share this post far and wide. Thank you.
Posted by International Animal Rescue on Tuesday, June 5, 2018
“Unfortunately, scenes like this are becoming more and more frequent in Indonesia,” IAR wrote about the video. “Deforestation has caused the orangutan population to plummet; habitats are destroyed and orangutans are left to starve and die.”
The Bornean orangutans only live in a few areas of the world and this forest is one of them. Because of the expansion of palm oil plantations and various development projects, however, their home is now being threatened.
Greenpeace Indonesia did a recent investigation that showed at least 6 illegal logging settlements are working on this specific forest. The logging takes place at night for the most part, including in areas where mother orangutans raise their babies.
Bornean orangutans have lost over half of their habitat since the 1970s due to logging operations. In addition to the destruction of their home, they are at risk of being shot if they try to come back to the land after the palm plantations are active.
“Sungai Putri is home to one of the largest populations in the world and we are at a critical point for the Bornean orangutan,” Karmele Llano Sanchez, program director of IAR in Indonesia, said in a statement. “Without forests like this, they can’t survive.”
IAR is working hard to build up conservation efforts and safeguard the homes of these orangutans. Unfortunately, the forest continues to be cut down for development so they need all the help they can get.
To help save Bornean orangutans, you can make a donation to International Animal Rescue.
