Wildlife Conservation

Tropical Deforestation: Wildlife Welfare Across Scales

Tropical deforestation destroys habitat for millions of species, causing displacement, fragmentation, starvation, and death of individual animals while threatening biodiversity at an ecosystem level.

Key Facts

Approximately 15 billion trees are cut down globally each year
Tropical forests support 50% of global biodiversity on 6% of land area
Deforestation for palm oil, soy, beef, and timber drives the majority of forest loss
Wildlife rescued from deforestation sites represent a tiny fraction of animals affected
Indonesia and Brazil account for the majority of tropical primary forest loss

Welfare Considerations

Individual animals experiencing deforestation face displacement into unfamiliar environments, inability to access food and shelter, and death from direct killing during clearing operations. Animals forced into smaller remaining forest patches experience overcrowding, increased predation, and resource competition. The welfare impacts of tropical deforestation affect billions of individual animals annually.

What You Can Do

Choose certified sustainable palm oil, soy, and wood products
Donate to organizations purchasing and protecting tropical forest habitats
Support legislation requiring supply chain deforestation-free commitments
Reduce beef consumption as a major driver of tropical deforestation
Engage with consumer boycotts of products from companies with deforestation links