Borneo Conservation Trust

Spotlight: Threatened Orang-Utan Populations
Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuaries (10 isolated lots) and Forest Reserve (6 isolated lots) along the Kinabatangan River are surrounded by Oil Palm Plantations. These areas have the large Orang-Utan population density because plantation development has forced the animals into crowded areas. With their movement restricted to protected areas, Orang-Utans are very vulnerable to natural phenomena such as El-Nino and La-Nina.

A 2006 DNA study on the Orang-Utan population in protected areas conducted by Cardiff University concluded that if we do not intervene to keep genetic diversity and connect protected areas to one another, the Orang-Utans in the protected areas will be extinct in 50 years time. This scientific study indicates an urgency to re-connect the ecosystems of the protected areas to save Orang-Utan in the highest population density.

Left: an orphan Orang-Utan at Sepilok Orang-Utan Sanctuary, Sabah.

Three Major Issues
Please take the time to explore this section and learn about the three major challenges to biodiversity in Borneo.

Forest Fragmentation

Protected areas, such as wildlife sanctuaries and forest reserves, are becoming increasingly fragmented and spaced farther apart. If Borneo is to continue being an epitome of biodiversity, isolated lots must be integrated and connected.

Conflict With Humans

As their habitats shrink, migratory animals, such as the Borneo Elephant, find their migration routes disrupted. Invading the plantations, animals can get seriously injured or even killed.

Oil Palm Expansion

Palm Oil is now the biggest edible oil in the world, and Borneo is its global production center, with 90% of the world's palm oil originating there. Malaysia alone supplies 51%, and this figure is expected to rise as global demand increases every year.