Sumatran and Bornean orangutans face extreme welfare threats from deforestation for palm oil and other agricultural expansion, with populations declining dramatically as forest habitat is destroyed.
Orangutan welfare impacts from deforestation include acute suffering during forest clearance operations, starvation as food trees are removed, and the severe welfare consequences of orphaning when mothers are killed. Rehabilitation of orphaned orangutans is welfare-intensive and time-consuming, requiring years of care to develop wild skills. Preventing deforestation prevents the welfare problem at source.