Wildlife

Bornean Orangutan Welfare and Selective Logging

Even selectively logged forests degrade welfare for Bornean orangutans through reduced food availability, increased human conflict, and elevated stress hormones.

Key Facts

Around 100,000 Bornean orangutans remain but populations are fragmented
Selective logging reduces fruiting tree density by up to 70%
Orangutans show elevated cortisol in degraded forests
Human-wildlife conflict leads to killing of so-called problem animals
Borneo hosts three endemic orangutan species/subspecies

Welfare Considerations

Welfare impacts of logging extend beyond immediate habitat loss. Reduced food availability forces orangutans to range further, increasing energy expenditure and predation risk. Stress hormone studies show measurably worse welfare in logged versus primary forest individuals. Community-based conservation reduces conflict killing.

What You Can Do

Buy certified sustainable timber products
Support Wildlife Conservation Society Borneo programme
Advocate for primary forest protection over selective logging
Reduce paper and packaging consumption