Orangutans face existential threat from palm oil plantation expansion destroying their Bornean and Sumatran rainforest habitat, creating profound welfare crises for both wild and displaced individuals.
Wild orangutans displaced by deforestation face starvation, dehydration, conflict with humans, and capture for the pet trade. Mothers are often killed so infants can be taken; orphans suffer severe psychological trauma and require years of rehabilitation. In plantation conflicts, orangutans are killed as pests. Rehabilitation programmes face welfare trade-offs between keeping animals in safe but restricted environments versus premature release to degraded habitat. Protecting intact rainforest is the most effective welfare intervention.