Counting down: Scientists warn of ‘alarming’ loss of Borneo orangutans

Once, there were hundreds of thousands of orangutans roaming the island of Borneo. Over the decades – as chainsaws and tractors have cleared millions of hectares of pristine rainforest – the number of these great apes has declined, and a new study shows just how alarming that decline is. In 16 years alone, researchers found that half the population of this critically endangered species has disappeared, leaving an estimated 70,000 on the island. Loss of orangutans stems from loss of habitat, which is a direct result of increasing global demand for natural resources. And while Borneo has long been a hub for orangutan preservation activities focusing on rescue and rehabilitation, the researchers say that this is not enough. Read more on Forests News.