TWO THUMBS UP! -Mother Nature
In Malaysia Conservationists want to purchase land from palm oil producers to protect Borneo’s orangutans, pygmy elephants and other endangered wildlife by creating a forest sanctuary. This was the first time that non-government activists were trying to acquire land in Malaysian Borneo for environmental protection with the help of government officials. Some of the endangered animals needing our protection include 600 orangutans, 150 Borneo pygmy elephants and a vast array of other animals including proboscis monkeys, hornbills and river otters.
With the rapid growth of the palm oil industry which is mainly used to make commercial cheap baked goods and junk foods in general (see earlier article on NC blog) the demise of orangutans in Malaysia and Indonesia, the only two countries where orangutans are found in the wild seems certain.
Researchers say more than 5,000 of the primates have been lost every year since 2004. Borneo is also home to some 1,000 pygmy elephants, which are genetically from Asian elephants because they have babyish faces, large ears and longer tails. They are also more rotund and less aggressive.
The Malaysian-based LEAP Conservancy group wants to buy 222 acres of tropical jungle land in Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island this land would link two sections of a wildlife reserve that is home to an estimated 600 orangutans, 150 Borneo pygmy elephants and a vast array of other animals including proboscis monkeys, hornbills and river otters.
The British-based World Land Trust, which is working with LEAP on the initiative, said on its Web site that 343,000 pounds ($533,000) was needed to acquire the land. http://www.worldlandtrust.org
excerpts from New deal to rescue Borneo orangutans in Malaysia – SEAN YOONG, A P Oct 28, 2008
Video of pigmy elephant courtesy of Discovery.com
http://animal.discovery.com/fansites/wildkingdom/borneo-pygmy-elephants/borneo-pygmy-elephants.html
Image courtesy of National Geographic News
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/04/080423-pygmy-elephants.html
Nature's Crusaders 
zimmrich said,
October 28, 2008 at 9:12 pm
This is fantastic news. Let’s just hope it happens soon! Orangutans can’t afford to wait one minute longer.
To find out how YOU can help protect orangutans, please visit the Orangutan Outreach website: http://redapes.org
Thanks,
Richard Zimmerman
Director, Orangutan Outreach
REACH OUT AND SAVE THE ORANGUTANS!