Anyone else look at common buckeye butterflies and think "retrotastic"? I guess these guys love plantain, because I found a ton of them while foraging last year. My daughter and I sheltered 7 of them, this guy stayed still a bit after release.
In the verdant, high-altitude forests of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, and Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands, lives an intriguing creature—the Bougainville Monkey-faced bat or, as some call them, the Bougainville Flying Monkey. These bats are the titans of their family, boasting arm spans stretching impressively between 14.1 to 16 cm. They are endangered, mostly from palm oil and mining deforestation and hunting. Help them to survive every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
Help to save the Bougainville Monkey-faced Bat 🦇 of Bougainv
In the verdant, high-altitude forests of Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea, and Choiseul Island, Solomon Islands, lives an intriguing creature—the Bougainville Monkey-faced bat or, as some call them, the Bougainville Flying Monkey. These bats are the titans of their family, boasting arm spans stretching impressively between 14.1 to 16 cm. They are endangered, mostly from palm oil and mining deforestation and hunting. Help them to survive every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
During the night time, their captivating eyes that glow red or orange under the night sky, much like their kin.
They wear a mantle of thick, black fur that shrouds their heads and backs, whilst a contrasting splash of white or yellow graces their chests, making them a sight to behold. Unlike their relatives, the Guadalcanal Monkey-faced bats, their legs are ensconsced in a full coat of fur. During the night time, their captivating eyes that glow red or orange under the night sky, much like their kin. Tailless and intriguingly equal in size whether male or female, these bats certainly stand out in the animal kingdom.
Threats
Habitat Destruction:
Bougainville Monkey-faced bats predominantly depend on mature, upland forests.
Significant habitat destruction from agricultural activities and forest conversion.
Hunting Pressures
They are regularly hunted for bushmeat: Hunting practices often involve burning the bats’ roosting trees, thereby destroying their habitats.
Increased hunting pressure was partly due to civil tensions in Bougainville from 1987 to 2000.
Population Decline:
Bougainville Monkey-faced bats were feared extinct in 1992 due to a lack of sightings.
Tragically, their population is estimated to have declined by at least 50% from 1997-2017.
Despite suggestions for a captive breeding program in 1992 to curb population decline, no such program exists as of 2017.
Conservation Efforts:
Bougainville Monkey-faced bats are listed as an Endangered species on the IUCN Red List. Bat Conservation International included them in its worldwide priority list for conservation in 2013.
Conservation strategies involve collaborations with local communities and organizations, identifying alternative protein sources, reforestation, managing conflicts between the bats and farmers, and promoting conservation dialogue.
Habitat
Found high above sea level in cloud forests over 1,100 metres, the Bougainville Monkey-faced bat enjoys the tranquillity and freshness of higher altitudes. After vanishing from sight on Bougainville Island since 1968, they made a surprise reappearance in 2016. On Choiseul Island, though, they’ve been conspicuously absent since 2008. These bats have a penchant for mature, highland tropical forests and aren’t picky about roosting spots, be it in hollow trees or hanging off fig tree branches. There’s even talk about these bats gouging trees for sap—a unique adaptation indeed!
Diet
While the exact diet of these bats remains a mystery, the significant wear on the teeth of museum specimens provides a clue. This condition points to the possibility of them consuming hard, rough-textured fruits.
Mating and breeding
Many aspects of the biology and behaviour of this bat, like many other megabats, remain understudied due to their inaccessible habitats and their elusive, secretive natures.
Support Bougainville Monkey-faced Bat Pteralopex anceps by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Lavery, T.H. 2017. Pteralopex anceps. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T18656A22071126. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Accessed on 14 June 2023.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.
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Boycott these major supermarket brands using so-called “sustainable” palm oil
These brands have products that contain palm oil sourced from mills that are responsible for the destruction of precious habitats of endangered species. Therefore, these brands are directly involved in the extinction of hundreds of endangered species.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Scientists have described around 1.5 million species on Earth – but how many are still out there to be discovered? This is one of the most heated debates in biology. Discounting microbes, plausible estimates range from about half a million to more than 50 million species of unknown animals, plants and fungi.
Our present knowledge is just scratching the surface. Evolution has had billions of years to create biologically active compounds that can combat human diseases, generate genetic diversity that could save our food crops from disastrous pathogens, and spawn ecological innovations that can inspire marvellous new inventions.
Scientists have described around 1.5 million species on Earth – but how many are still out there to be discovered? This is one of the most heated debates in biology. Discounting microbes, plausible estimates range from about half a million to more than 50 million species of unknown animals, plants and fungi.
Our present knowledge is just scratching the surface. Evolution has had billions of years to create biologically active compounds that can combat human diseases, generate genetic diversity that could save our food crops from disastrous pathogens, and spawn ecological innovations that can inspire marvellous new inventions.
Take action by sharing this to Twitter
#Scientists have described about 1.5 million #species on Earth 🌍 but how many still remain undiscovered? 🧐 We may not get the chance to know 50 million species of animals, plants and fungi! Help them and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect wp.me/pcFhgU-4M3
This biodiversity matters because it could be used to fight human diseases, produce new crops, and offer innovations to help solve the world’s problems.
Why is there so much uncertainty in the numbers? The biggest reason, I argue, is that a lot of biodiversity is surprisingly hard to find or identify. This has profound implications for nature conservation and for our understanding of life on Earth.
Hidden biodiversity
We find new species every day but the organisms that we’re now discovering are often more hidden and more difficult to catch than ever before.
Not surprisingly, the first species to be described scientifically were big and obvious. The earliest naturalists to visit Africa, for instance, could hardly fail to discover zebras, giraffes and elephants.
But recent discoveries are different. For instance, lizard species found today are generally smaller and more often nocturnal than other species of lizard. The tiniest of them, a thumbnail-sized chameleon from Madagascar, was discovered just a few years ago. Three newly discovered species: (a) a snake-like amphibian from India; (b) the world’s tiniest lizard, and (c) the only lungless frog species. B. Scheffers et al. (2014) Trends in Ecology & Evolution Other unknown species are notoriously difficult to capture. For example, a biologist friend of mine was visiting his mother-in-law in north Queensland when her cat strolled in with an odd-looking animal in its mouth. He wrestled the cat’s dinner away and found that it was a mammal species never before seen in Australia called the prehensile-tailed rat.
Now known to be quite common in the Wet Tropics, this tree-dwelling rat almost never enters conventional wildlife traps. We can thank my mate’s mother-in-law’s cat for the discovery.
Other poorly explored places where new species wait to be discovered include the deep sea, soils and caves. After spending some 1,100 hours digging holes in the ground, biologists stumbled over the first species of Indian caecilian, a primitive, snake-like burrowing amphibian never before seen on the subcontinent. On a far-flung beach in Alaska, a dead animal that washed ashore just last year turned out to be a completely new species of whale.
A frog species discovered in Borneo is the only frog in the world that completely lacks lungs. They live in fast-flowing streams that are so oxygen-rich that they can breathe solely through their skin.
And a newly discovered spider in Morocco has evolved to move and escape predators by somersaulting over sand dunes.
The rainforest rooftop
High on the list of places to discover new species include rainforest canopies. In the early 1980s a Smithsonian Institution ecologist, Terry Erwin, used an insecticidal fog on several trees in the Panamanian rainforest and was stunned by his findings. Most of the insects that fell to the ground were entirely new species. Based on quick calculations he estimated that there could be 30 million species of insects residing in the canopies of the world’s rainforests.
Erwin’s conclusions, as it would be expressed today, went viral. In one fell swoop he had increased estimates of global biodiversity at least tenfold. Most biologists today consider his original estimate too high, however some believe he only overestimated a little. Rainforest canopies are one of the world’s great biological frontiers. William Laurance
Cryptic species
Beyond species that are difficult to find or catch, a lot of unknown biodiversity is staring us right in the face but we simply can’t see it. For these species, new discoveries are down to advances in molecular genetics. Around 60% of all new organisms described today are so-called “cryptic species” that are nearly indistinguishable from one another.
In recent years, for example, we’ve discovered that Africa has not just one species of elephant but two. Formerly considered different subspecies, genetic analyses reveal that they’re as dissimilar to one another as the Asian elephant is to the extinct woolly mammoth.
Genetic studies have also revealed hidden variation among Africa’s giraffes. Just last year, researchers revealed that what was once considered a single species of giraffe is actually four.
And in Costa Rica, one putative species of butterfly turned out to be at least ten. Genetic studies have revealed that one apparent species of giraffe is actually four. William Laurance Molecular genetics is turning biology on its head in other ways. Organisms we used to think were only distantly related, such as antelopes, dolphins and whales, are practically cousins in evolutionary terms.
Epicentres of unknown species
One last reason why many species are yet to be discovered is that they only live in a small area of the world. Known as “restricted endemics”, these species are geographically concentrated in certain regions such as tropical mountains, islands, and climatically unusual environments.
Most of Earth’s restricted endemics reside in “biodiversity hotspots”, defined by having more than 1,500 locally endemic plant species and less than 30% of their original habitat remaining. Of 35 currently recognised hotspots, half are in the species-rich tropics with the remainder divided among Mediterranean, islands and other ecosystems. The world’s 35 recognised biodiversity hotspots. Conservation International Today, the bulk of new species are being discovered in the biodiversity hotspots. The scary thing is that our recent analyses show that more than half of all hotspots have already lost over 90% of their intact habitat.
Further, most hotspots occur in poorer nations with rapidly-growing populations and escalating social and economic challenges, creating even greater pressures on their already beleaguered ecosystems and species.
Scary implications
Taken collectively, these studies suggest that there’s an enormous wealth of biodiversity on Earth left to discover and that much of it is in danger.
Further, our present knowledge is just scratching the surface. Evolution has had billions of years to create biologically active compounds that can combat human diseases, generate genetic diversity that could save our food crops from disastrous pathogens, and spawn ecological innovations that can inspire marvellous new inventions.
What a tragedy it would be to lose this biodiversity before we have ever had the chance to discover and learn from it. A new species of Anglerfish discovered this year in the Gulf of Mexico. This bizarre fish has bioluminescent algae in the ‘fishing pole’ above its head to attract prey. Theodore W. Pietsch, University of Washington
Here are some other ways you can help by using your wallet as a weapon and joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Over the course of the 20th century, capitalism preserved its momentum by moulding the ordinary person into a consumer. Using advertising to encourage in people the ravenous hunger for purchasing more stuff and the accompanying feeling of hollowness and a need for more and more.
At the end of the 20th century, environmental problems began to arise from unchecked capitalist growth
Ever-expanding growth and the over-exploitation of land, water and animals continued at pace. Even despite its immense cost to animals, ecosystems and people in the developing world.
Even despite predictions by scientists that the world would be destroyed.
Out of-control global corporates needed strong storytelling and PR to support their continued exponential growth.
This insane need for economic/corporate growth gave rise to the ‘Green Growth’ and ‘Sustainability’ movements. The marketing and PR tactics employed to justify the continued growth of these brands and products despite their destruction, is known as:
The origins of greenwashing can be found in the origins of consumerism, advertising and marketing itself
This is most powerfully illustrated by one of the original source about marketing from between the world wars by Edward Bernays, a landmark book called Propaganda published in 1928. This book would be instrumental for setting in train the agenda for economic growth in the West in the 20th Century.
“The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.… It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind, who harness old social forces and contrive new ways to bind and guide the world”
Mass production is profitable only if its rhythm can be maintained—that is if it can continue to sell its product in steady or increasing quantity.… Today supply must actively seek to create its corresponding demand … [and] cannot afford to wait until the public asks for its product; it must maintain constant touch, through advertising and propaganda … to assure itself the continuous demand which alone will make its costly plant profitable.
WHO considers marketing by the palm oil industry to be akin to tobacco and alcohol marketing
Marketing of palm oil does not occur in the traditional sense. Responding to a backlash against accusations of poor environmental and labour practices, the industry has sought to portray its products as sustainable, while highlighting the contribution to poverty alleviation. There is also a mutual benefit for the palm oil and processed food industry, with the latter targeting advertisements for ultra-processed foods towards children (similar to efforts by the tobacco and alcohol industries in targeting children and adolescents) and the palm oil refining industry benefiting from the corresponding increase in sales of foods containing palm oil.
A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Sustainability is meaningless, it’s time for a new enlightenment
Effectively, sustainability became the main ingredient of a “having your cake and eating it” ideology. The environment, and its ecological systems, were deemed to be sustained while equally economic development could continue apace.
But if sustainable development had delivered on its promise, humanity would now not be facing the crisis we call climate change.
Greenwashing solves nothing.
What was, and is, actually needed is the opposite of what has been promoted in order to try to maintain the economic status quo.
Research into how to influence voluntary standards using expert knowledge
“The ability of developing countries, especially small-scale actors within them, to shape standard setting and management to their advantage depends not only on overcoming important structural differences…but also on more subtle games. These include promoting the enrolment of one expert group or kind of expert knowledge over another, using specific formats of negotiation, and legitimating particular modes of engagement over others.”
The Vice President of the European Parliament Heidi Hautala does not trust the RSPO’s false and weak promise of “sustainable” palm oil
She replies to my conversation on Twitter to advise of this…
Heidi Hautala, Vice-President of the European Parliament and part of the the Human Rights and Democracy panel and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
“No voluntary standards or industry schemes have done the job fully [of eliminating deforestation or human rights abuses]. That is why the game-changing EU CSDDD [Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive] is mandatory. Certification is a useful tool but will not liberate the company from its duty of due diligence”
~ Heidi Hautala, Vice-President of the European Parliament and part of the the Human Rights and Democracy panel and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
Naive because embedded within capitalism is the drive towards exponential growth and the ecosystems and resources of our planet are finite – which makes it naive to think that we can continue to labour under the same system, yet expect a different result.
Still Van Der Ven has some valid insights to share here about how a eco-label could theoretically be designed to be free from greenwashing.
An eco-label without greenwashing has yet to materialise. This is because our current economic system does not consider ‘value’ to include: human rights, animal rights, the beauty of unspoiled nature and forests left intact – the only way the current system quantifies ‘value’ is financial growth. The virtue-signalling about doing the right thing and improving human rights, animal rights, environmental sustainability is greenwashing. If businesses DID care, these issues would have been sorted. Instead, they provide consumers with empty words and promises.
Dubious eco-labels keep everything offline or hidden behind pay walls; credible eco-labels make their information freely available online, including information around breaches of rules and regulations and their resolutions, governance and funding.
Is it independent?
Consumers and procurement professionals should be wary of self-awarded ecolabels. Instead seek out ecolabels from a credible third-party organisation.
There should also be independence between the organisation that sets the standard and the organization that audits compliance against its criteria. This is important for preventing a conflict of interest.
Standard-setters generally receive revenues based on how widely their eco-labels are used. An eco-labeling organization that checks compliance against its own standard has an incentive to overlook non-compliances and set a lower bar for achievement.
Is it inclusive?
Do all stakeholders get a say in decision-making? If an eco-label promotes sustainable coffee production, then it should involve coffee farmers, scientists, processers, NGOs, and community members (amongst others) in standard-setting.
When a brand makes token changes while continuing with deforestation, ecocide or human rights abuses in another part of their business – this is ‘Hidden Trade Off’
For example, Nestle talks up satellite monitoring to stop palm oil deforestation. Yet…
Claiming a brand or commodity is green without any supporting evidence The RSPO promises to deliver this with their certification: 1. Improves the livelihoods of small holder farmers 2. Stops illegal indigenous land-grabbing and human rights abuses 3. Stops deforestation…
Claiming a brand or commodity is ‘green’ or ‘sustainable’ based on broad generalisations, unclear language or vague statements Jump to section Greenwashing: Vagueness in Language Greenwashing: Vagueness in certification standards Reality: Auditing of RSPO a failure Quote: EIA: Who Watches…
Claiming a brand or commodity is green based on unreliable, ineffective endorsements or eco-labels such as the RSPO, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or FairTrade coffee and cocoa. Greenwashing: Fake Labels and fake certifications Ecolabels are designed to reassure consumers that…
Claiming a brand, commodity or industry is green based on irrelevant information Jump to section Greenwashing: Irrelevant Topics Greenwashing: Colonial Racism Research: Palm oil greenwashing and its link to climate denialism Reality: RSPO Certification Doesn’t Stop Deforestation, Human Rights Abuses…
Claiming that a brand, commodity or industry is greener than others in the same category, in order to excuse ecocide, deforestation, human rights and animal rights abuses. Jump to section Greenwashing: Lesser of Two Evils: Palm Oil Uses Less Land…
Telling outright lies over and over again to consumers until they are believed as truth Jump to section Greenwashing: Endangered species Reality: Endangered species Greenwashing: Human rights, land-grabbing and livelihoods for workers Reality: Human rights, land-grabbing and livelihoods for workers…
Using design principles and greenwashing language in order to trigger emotional and unconscious responses in consumers Jump to section Greenwashing: Design Principles Greenwashing Design Example: Palm Done Right Greenwashing Design Example: WWF Palm Oil Scorecard 2021 Greenwashing with Words: Vegan…
Jump to section Orangutan Land Trust funded by rainforest destroying palm oil co. Kulim Malaysia Berhad Orangutan Land Trust funded by Agropalma: during decades-long destruction of the Amazon for palm oil Orangutan Land Trust and New Britain Palm Oil (NBPOL):…
Attempting to humiliate, gaslight, discredit, harass and stalk any vocal critics of a brand, commodity or industry certification in order to scare individuals into silence and stop them from revealing corruption Greenwashing’s most insidious and darkest form is the attempt…
There has never been a more urgent time for consumers to wake up to the devastation wrought by global supermarket brands for palm oil Jump to section 1. Greenwashing with Hidden Trade-Off 2. Greenwashing with No Proof 3. Greenwashing with…
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Zuckerman, J. (2021). The Time Has Come to Rein In the Global Scourge of Palm Oil. Yale Environment 360, Yale School of Environment. e360.yale.edu/features/the-tim…
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
A visual investigation by the NZZ shows the standards for certifying palm oil production as sustainable are often ignored. The consequences for millions of hectares of vulnerable rainforest could be catastrophic as the industry expands.
The golden-bellied mangabey (Cercocebus chrysogaster) is an intriguing and elusive monkey endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Named for the vibrant golden hue of their undersides, these primates are known for their intelligence, complex social behaviours, and unique ecological rol
The golden-bellied mangabey (Cercocebus chrysogaster) is an intriguing and elusive monkey endemic to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Named for the vibrant golden hue of their undersides, these primates are known for their intelligence, complex social behaviours, and unique ecological role. Found in the remote tropical forests along the Congo River Basin, these monkeys remain poorly studied due to their limited range and secretive nature.
Tragically, the golden-bellied mangabey faces mounting threats from habitat destruction, driven by logging, coltan and gold mining, and agricultural expansion, including palm oil plantations. Their population continues to decline due to hunting and habitat fragmentation. Act now to protect these monkeys and their fragile habitat—boycott palm oil and stand against deforestation. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The species is also threatened by habitat loss due to logging, leading to declines in range area and range occupancy. Inogwabini et al. (2013) report that west of the Lake Mai-Ndombe, where the species no longer occurs, local communities reported their disappearance over the course of two decades following the arrival of intensive logging.
IUCN red list
Appearance and Behaviour
Golden-bellied Mangabeys are only found in the Democratic Republic of Congo in tropical rainforests. They are known for their striking bright yellow and gold bellies which is easily distinguishable from their orange fur.
They medium-sized monkeys, weighing between 5–10 kg. They have sleek, dark grey fur with a striking golden-yellow underside that gives them their name. Their faces are expressive, with pale eyelids and a short muzzle that accentuates their curious and alert demeanour.
These mangabeys are highly social, living in groups of 10–30 individuals. They exhibit intricate communication through vocalisations, facial expressions, and physical gestures. A fascinating behaviour observed in these primates is their occasional consumption of mammalian prey, a rare trait among mangabeys. Research shows that golden-bellied mangabeys sometimes hunt small animals, sharing their spoils within their group—a behaviour that highlights their adaptability and complex social interactions (ResearchGate, 2024).
Geographic Range
Golden-bellied mangabeys are restricted to the dense tropical forests of the Congo River Basin in the DRC. Their primary habitats include swamp forests and lowland rainforests, areas that provide a mix of canopy cover and access to fruiting trees.
Their range is limited, with populations concentrated in fragmented forest patches. This restricted distribution makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and environmental changes (IUCN, 2020).
Diet
Golden-bellied mangabeys are primarily frugivorous, with fruits comprising the majority of their diet. They also consume seeds, leaves, flowers, and insects. Their foraging habits contribute to seed dispersal, making them vital to forest regeneration.
Recent studies have highlighted their occasional consumption of small vertebrates, including mammals, showcasing a level of dietary adaptability not commonly associated with mangabeys (ResearchGate, 2024). This dietary flexibility may help them survive in degraded or fragmented habitats but also underscores the challenges they face as their traditional food sources dwindle.
Reproduction and Mating
These monkeys have a gestation period of approximately six months, with females typically giving birth to a single infant every 1–2 years. Juveniles will not be fully independent until they are 4 to 5 years old. They are a nomadic, social species that travel in groups from 8 to 30 individuals. They have pouches in their cheeks which allow them to transport food. Mothers are the primary caregivers, but infants also interact closely with other group members, learning essential survival skills through observation and play.
Golden-bellied mangabeys exhibit strong social bonds within their groups, which may help ensure the survival of young despite the environmental challenges they face.
Threats
The golden-bellied mangabey is classified as Endangered by the IUCN. Conservation initiatives in the Congo Basin focus on protecting their habitats through anti-logging measures, wildlife corridors, and community-based conservation projects.
Despite these efforts, enforcement of wildlife protection laws remains inconsistent, and logging concessions continue to encroach on their range. Education and collaboration with local communities are essential to reducing hunting pressure and fostering coexistence. IUCN Status: Endangered
Palm oil, tobacco and cocoa deforestation:
Logging, agricultural expansion, and palm oil plantations have severely fragmented their forest habitats. Deforestation rates in the Congo Basin are among the highest globally.
The species is also threatened by habitat loss due to logging, leading to declines in range area and range occupancy. Inogwabini et al. (2013) report that west of the Lake Mai-Ndombe, where the species no longer occurs, local communities reported their disappearance over the course of two decades following the arrival of intensive logging. Industrial-scale logging concessions have been delimited in about 30% of the species’ range. Additional smaller-scale logging operations are widespread in the western range (Ministry of Environment 2013), thus the proportion of the species’ range vulnerable to habitat loss and degradation is likely higher.
Hunting and Poaching:
Golden-bellied mangabeys are hunted for bushmeat, with their small populations making them highly susceptible to overhunting.
High numbers of Golden-bellied Mangabeys are killed for the commercial bushmeat trade across their range. This has led to ongoing dramatic population declines. The species appears to be highly vulnerable to hunting.
Gold and coltan mining deforestation:
Coltan and gold mining operations disrupt their habitats, introducing pollution and human encroachment.
Climate Change:
Rising temperatures and altered rainfall patterns threaten their food sources and nesting sites.
Population Isolation:
Fragmented habitats restrict genetic exchange between groups, increasing the risk of inbreeding and reducing population resilience.
Take Action!
Help safeguard the golden-bellied mangabey by boycotting palm oil and advocating for stronger wildlife protections in the Congo Basin. Share their story to raise awareness and support organisations dedicated to protecting their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Hart, J.A. & Thompson, J. 2020. Cercocebus chrysogaster. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T4207A17956177. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.202…. Downloaded on 12 March 2021.
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3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
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Deep in the Congo rainforest, Edward McLester witnessed a spectacle few scientists have seen: a troop of golden-bellied mangabeys (Cercocebus chrysogaster) causing a ruckus, their vibrant underbellies flashing through the understory.
Tana River Mangabeys live in the flood-plain forest, riverine gallery forest, and the adjacent woodland and bushland of Kenya (Wieczkowski and Butynski 2013). Their abundance is highly correlated with the spatial characteristics of the forests (Wahungu et al. 2005). They are semi-terrestrial monkeys that can travel up to 1 km through non-forested habitat between forest patches (Wieczkowski 2010).
The rapid decline of Tana River Mangabeys has several causes including:
Drastic changes in vegetation due to dam construction, irrigation projects and water diversion, which affect both the water table and the frequency and severity of flooding which, in turn, affect the extent and quality of this species’ forest habitat.
Forest clearance for agriculture.
Fires that destroy forests.
Habitat degradation due to livestock.
The unsustainable collection of wood and other forest products.
Selective felling of fig trees for canoes.
Exploitation of one of the species’ top food plants, Phoenix reclinata.
The rapid decline of Tana River Mangabeys has several causes including: Forest clearance for agriculture.
IUCN red list
The Tana river in Kenya home of the Tana River Mangabey Cercocebus galeritus is being destroyed for agriculture
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Butynski, T.M., de Jong, Y.A., Wieczkowski, J. & King, J. 2020. Cercocebus galeritus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T4200A17956330. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.202…. Downloaded on 26 March 2021.
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Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.
The siamang is the largest and most vocal of all gibbons, known for their spectacular morning calls that resonate across the forests of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Their complex vocalisations, amplified by a throat sac, serve as a hallmark of their species and a testament to the
The siamang is the largest and most vocal of all gibbons, known for their spectacular morning calls that resonate across the forests of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. Their complex vocalisations, amplified by a throat sac, serve as a hallmark of their species and a testament to their social bonds.
Despite their ecological importance as seed dispersers and their striking behaviours, siamangs face serious threats from deforestation, palm oil plantations, and illegal pet trade. With forest habitats shrinking rapidly, their populations continue to decline. Fight for their survival by boycotting palm oil and supporting conservation efforts. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The siamang is a large, arboreal primate, weighing between 10 to 15 kg and reaching up to 90 cm in height. Their jet-black fur contrasts with their bare faces and hands, and they are easily distinguished by the large throat sac that inflates dramatically during their vocalisations. This sac can expand to the size of a grapefruit, amplifying their calls to carry over several kilometres.
Siamangs are highly social and monogamous, typically forming small family groups consisting of a mated pair and their offspring. Their complex duet calls, often performed at dawn, reinforce pair bonds and establish territory. Their long arms and powerful shoulders make them exceptional brachiators, swinging effortlessly between tree branches.
Their intelligence has been a subject of fascination; recent research suggests siamangs demonstrate advanced cognitive abilities, including problem-solving and tool use (Gibbons et al., 2023).
Geographic Range
Siamangs are native to the tropical forests of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia, preferring lowland and hill forests up to 2000 metres in elevation in some areas of Kerinci Seblat National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia. They are most commonly found in primary and secondary forests, where they rely on continuous canopy cover for brachiation. Palm oil deforestation has confined them to protected areas such as Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra and Taman Negara National Park in Malaysia (IUCN, 2020). However, the species future in both Malaysia and Indonesia is uncertain. oil palm expansion has been identified as one of the main causes of deforestation in Peninsular Malaysia (Miyamoto et al. 2014). Also, as in Sumatra, rates of forest loss have accelerated over the last several years and are likely to range between 70-100% within the range of siamangs.
Diet
Siamangs are primarily frugivorous, with fruits making up around 60% of their diet. They also consume young leaves, flowers, and insects when fruit availability is low. By consuming fruits and dispersing seeds throughout the forest, they play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity and promoting forest regeneration (Yusuf et al., 2022).
Reproduction and Mating
Siamangs are monogamous, forming lifelong bonds with their partners. After a gestation period of approximately seven months, females give birth to a single infant. Both parents are actively involved in raising their young, with males frequently carrying infants during their first year.
Young siamangs remain with their family group for up to seven years before dispersing to establish their own territories. The slow reproductive cycle, combined with low birth rates, makes their populations particularly vulnerable to decline (NePrimate Conservancy, 2024).
Threats
This species is threatened by forest conversion, mining, road construction, human encroachment and opportunistic poaching for pet trade and human consumption on Sumatra, with these threats often extending to populations in national parks and protected forests.
IUCN Red List
The siamang is classified as Endangered by the IUCN, with populations continuing to decline across their range. Conservation efforts include habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and public awareness campaigns to reduce demand for palm oil and exotic pets. Protected areas such as Gunung Leuser National Park and Taman Negara are critical to their survival. Yet they are no guarantee for protection and so-called “sustainable” palm oil companies regularly and illegally expand into protected areas.
IUCN Status: Endangered
Palm oil and timber deforestation: Extensive deforestation for palm oil plantations, logging, and agriculture has destroyed vast swathes of their habitat, forcing siamangs into increasingly fragmented forests.
Habitat Fragmentation: The loss of continuous canopy cover limits their ability to travel, forage, and maintain genetic diversity, further isolating populations.
Illegal Pet Trade: Infant siamangs are often captured for the illegal pet trade, typically involving the killing of their mothers.
Climate Change: Altered rainfall patterns and rising temperatures threaten the fruiting cycles of trees they depend on for food.
Population Decline: It is estimated that their population has declined by over 50% in the past four decades.
Organisations like the Gibbon Conservation Alliance work tirelessly to study and protect siamangs, advocating for stronger wildlife laws and community-led conservation initiatives. However, long-term survival requires a collective effort to address habitat destruction and curb illegal activities.
Take Action!
Protect siamangs every time you shop by boycotting palm oil. Share their story and demand stronger wildlife protections. Use your influence to make a difference. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Between 1985 and 2007 on Sumatra, over 40% of the conceivable habitat for this species was lost to fires, logging, road development and conversion to agriculture or plantations (Laumonier et al. 2010). The forests, where they remain, are extremely fragmented (Margono et al. 2012).
Siamangs have no protection or conservation in place in Sumatra…
This endangered primate faces an uncertain future, most are kept as pets and very little is done to inforce the law to protect them. The outcome to this is they are kept in shocking conditions as pets in Sumatra. This female is 8 years old and has been kept in this same cage for that whole period. I gained access through a friend, this is what I witnessed. Sad thing is there are no NGO’s to help these and the other primates caught and thrown into the pet trade. There is nowhere for them to go when rescued apart from the zoo. While taking this I had to act like a tourist who was interested in Siamangs otherwise I wouldn’t have gained access to this unseen hell. Part of me wishes I hadn’t seen such torment.
This siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife PhotographyThis siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife PhotographyThis siamang has spent her whole life in this cage, a vision that was a true nightmare. Craig Jones Wildlife Photography youtube.com/watch?v=IKCBK8zZmA…
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
The Pileated Gibbon is listed as Endangered as they are suspected to have experienced a reduction of more than 50% over a time frame of three generations (45 years) in the past. Most populations are not yet secured in protected areas, and the main threats are habitat loss due to logging, agricultural conversion, hydroelectric development and new human settlements (W. Brockelman pers. Comm.)
[strong]The Pileated Gibbon[/strong] belongs to the genus Hylobates. The word Hylobates means ‘Forest Walker’ in Greek. The gibbons in this genus are known for the white circle of fur around their faces. They are known to communicate in species-specific song when defining territory or attracting mates. They sing in regional accents to each other, have long swinging arms, inquisitive natures and superior acrobatic skills, they spend most of their lives high up in the tree-tops. Researchers find the species somewhat shyer and more elusive than the Lar Gibbon (W. Brockelman pers. Comm.)
Mating and Reproduction
The Pileated Gibbons form strong monogomous bonds with their partners and children.
Habitat and Geographic Range
They live in moist, seasonal evergreen and mixed deciduous-evergreen forests and have been recorded living to about 1,500 m in Cambodia and to around 1,200 m in Thailand.
Diet
The Pileated Gibbon is similar to the Lar Gibbon in diet and general ecology and they eat mostly fruits, shoots, and some immature leaves, as well as insects (Srikosamatara 1980, 1984).
Threats
Hunting and habitat loss: This species is threatened by both hunting, primarily for subsistence, and severe habitat fragmentation and degradation (Duckworth et al. 1999, Traeholt et al. 2005).
In Thailand, all populations are now within protected conservation areas and the era of logging and slash-and-burn agriculture (Brockelman 1983) is now mostly over.
Deforestation even in ‘protected’ forests is a threat: Nevertheless, severe encroachment has occurred in eastern Khao Yai Park and other major protected areas, and subsistence hunting by minor forest product collectors is still uncontrolled (Phoonjampa and Brockelman 2008). In Cambodia, however, habitat destruction is a more immediate threat than poaching, especially in remote areas.
Most populations are not yet secured in protected areas, and the main threats are habitat loss due to logging, agricultural conversion, hydroelectric development and new human settlements (W. Brockelman pers. Comm.) How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Location: Central and West Africa – Guineo-Congolian tropical forests, including Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and surrounding regions.
Location: Central and West Africa – Guineo-Congolian tropical forests, including Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, and surrounding regions.
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
The African Forest #Elephant is a Critically Endangered species found in the dense #rainforests of Central and #WestAfrica. They are smaller than their savanna relatives, with straighter tusks and rounder ears, uniquely adapted to their forested habitat. As ecosystem engineers, these elephants play a crucial role in maintaining Afrotropical forests by dispersing seeds and mitigating against climate change by shaping forest composition. However, relentless #poaching for ivory, habitat destruction due to #palmoil, #cocoa and #tobacco agriculture, and human-elephant conflict have decimated their population. Recent studies have shown that African Forest Elephants’ movement patterns vary significantly between individuals, with some elephants exploring vast distances while others remain in small home ranges. This variation poses unique challenges for conservation efforts. Resist and fight for their survival each time you shop, be #vegan and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Rapid land use change, including palm oil plantations across their range is driving the direct loss and fragmentation of habitat, is an increasing threat to African elephants across their range.
IUCN red list
Appearance and Behaviour
African Forest Elephants are smaller than their savanna counterparts, with a shoulder height of 2 to 3 metres. They have a more compact build, rounded ears, and long, narrow tusks that point downward, (Gobush et al., 2021). Their grey skin is often darker due to the humid rainforest environment. They live in small, matriarchal family groups and display remarkable individual variation in movement behaviours. Some elephants, known as “explorers,” travel vast distances, while others, the “idlers,” remain within confined home ranges. These behavioural differences complicate conservation efforts, as strategies must account for their diverse space-use needs.
These elephants are highly intelligent and social, living in small, matriarchal family groups that navigate the rainforest together. Their deep infrasonic rumbles travel through the ground, allowing communication over vast distances, even in the thickest jungle. Recent research has revealed that their vocalisations have a structure akin to human syntax—complex combinations of calls used to convey intricate meanings (Hedwig & Kohlberg, 2024).
Other research has found that the foraging, seed dispersal and exploration of African Forest Elephants helps to mitigate African forests against climate change. A 2019 study from the Ndoki Forest in the Republic of Congo (ROC) and LuiKotale in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) estimated that if elephants were removed from these sites, the loss of their forest-shaping food preferences would reduce the forest’s carbon capture by 7%.
Diet
Forest Elephants are frugivorous and play an irreplaceable role as seed dispersers, particularly for large fruiting trees. They are responsible for spreading the seeds of over 41 timber species, including Bobgunnia fistuloides (pao rosa), a tree prized for its high-value wood (Blake et al., 2009; Campos-Arceiz & Blake, 2011). Without these elephants, the rainforest’s ability to regenerate and store carbon would be drastically diminished.
Reproduction and Mating
With a gestation period of 22 months—the longest of any land mammal—female African Forest elephants give birth only once every four to six years (Gobush et al., 2021). Due to their slow reproductive rate, population recovery is incredibly difficult, making conservation efforts even more urgent. Calves remain under their mother’s care for over a decade, learning crucial survival skills in the rainforest.
Geographic Range
African Forest Elephants roam vast home ranges, some spanning over 2,000 km² (Beirne et al., 2021). Their movements are largely dictated by fruiting cycles, water availability, and human encroachment. A recent study found that they exhibit remarkable individual variation in movement patterns—some acting as ‘explorers,’ roaming far and wide, while others remain within familiar territories (Beirne et al., 2021). Roads and logging concessions disrupt these traditional routes, forcing elephants into human settlements and escalating conflict.
Threats
Illegal Wildlife Trade and Poaching: The illegal and criminal trade in elephant ivory continues to drive rampant poaching. Despite international bans, demand remains high in black markets (Wittemyer et al., 2014; Maisels et al., 2013).
Palm Oil Agriculture Expansion: Forests are being obliterated for palm oil, cocoa, tobacco and rubber plantations, erasing habitat at an alarming rate (Scalbert et al., 2022).
Logging, Mining, and Infrastructure Expansion: The development of roads and infrastructure for timber and mining grants poachers greater access to once-inaccessible forest areas (Beirne et al., 2021).
Human-Elephant Conflict: Shrinking forests push elephants into farmland, leading to fatal clashes with farmers trying to protect their crops (Ngama et al., 2016).
Climate Change: Disruptions in rainfall patterns and fruiting cycles impact the food supply of African Forest Elephants, forcing them into riskier migration routes where they can come into contact with poachers or conflict with farmers.
Slow Reproduction Rate: African Forest Elephants have a long gestation periods and high calf mortality, their populations cannot recover quickly from losses.
Elephants and Language: Call Combinations and Syntax
Groundbreaking research has revealed that African Forest Elephants use complex call combinations, akin to human syntax, to communicate in high-stakes situations (Hedwig & Kohlberg, 2024). Their vocal repertoire includes:
Low-frequency rumbles: Used to coordinate movements and social interactions. These deep sounds can travel several kilometres through dense rainforest.
Broadband roars: Express distress, urgency, or aggression, particularly in response to predators or conflict.
Combined calls: When rumbles and roars are merged, they create new meanings. These combinations are more frequently used in competitive situations, suggesting that elephants alter their vocal signals to convey specific messages in dangerous or high-emotion contexts.
The ability to combine calls strategically may help elephants navigate social disputes, secure access to resources, or reunite with separated family members. This discovery sheds light on the cognitive abilities of these animals and their sophisticated social lives.
A recent study using satellite data has highlighted the critical role that large herbivores play in promoting tree diversity in forest ecosystems. The…
Discover the awe-inspiring role of African forest elephants in the Congo Basin—nature’s master gardeners who literally shape the world around them! These gentle…
Timber and palm oil concessions now cover vast portions of forest elephant habitat, with little understanding of how these logging operations impact elephant populations (Scalbert et al., 2022). While elephants can persist in selectively logged forests, they require large, undisturbed areas to sustain viable populations. Key findings include:
African Forest Elephants regenerate forests: By dispersing seeds of high-carbon tree species, they facilitate the regrowth of timber species, making their role essential for maintaining the economic value of these forests.
Logging alters movement patterns: While some elephants adapt to fragmented landscapes, others are displaced, forced into human-dominated areas where they are at greater risk of poaching and conflict.
Forest loss drives ecological collapse: Without elephants maintaining seed dispersal, many commercially valuable trees may struggle to regenerate, ultimately degrading the timber industry’s long-term viability.
Beirne, C., Houslay, T. M., Morkel, P., Clark, C. J., Fay, M., Okouyi, J., White, L. J. T., & Poulsen, J. R. (2021). African forest elephant movements depend on time scale and individual behavior. Scientific Reports, 11, 12634. nature.com/articles/s41598-021…
Gobush, K.S., Edwards, C.T.T, Maisels, F., Wittemyer, G., Balfour, D. & Taylor, R.D. 2021. Loxodonta cyclotis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T181007989A181019888. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.202…. Downloaded on 08 June 2021.
Hedwig, D., & Kohlberg, A. (2024). Call combination in African forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis. PLOS ONE. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0…
Scalbert, M., Vermeulen, C., Breuer, T., & Doucet, J. L. (2022). The challenging coexistence of forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis and timber concessions in central Africa. Mammal Review, 52(3), 501–518. doi.org/10.1111/mam.12305
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
African Forest Elephants Help Fight Climate Change
Discover the awe-inspiring role of African forest elephants in the Congo Basin—nature’s master gardeners who literally shape the world around them! These gentle giants roam through muddy, mineral-rich paradises called baïs, fostering the growth of carbon-absorbing trees that make our planet healthier. By tending to these unique landscapes, they are the unsung heroes in the fight against climate change. Want to ensure these ecological architects keep doing their vital work? Join the movement to protect their habitat—say no to palm oil and adopt a vegan lifestyle! 🐘🌳#BoycottPalmOil #BeVegan #Boycott4Wildlife
This story was written by Leonie Joubert and originally published by Mongabay on August 15, 2023 and was republished under a Creative Commons licence.
The approach to the “village of elephants” in the Sangha Rainforest in the Central African Republic must be made in complete silence. Not even the faintest rustle of backpack on rain jacket should break the soundscape as visitors wade through the sometimes waist-deep swamp at the forest’s edge. The Indigenous Ba’aka guides must be able to listen for any signs of nearby elephants, so they can steer the visitors clear and avoid a close encounter with these giants. When a few pachyderms saunter out of the dense greenery, the Ba’aka shoo them away calmly.
The thick vegetation gives way suddenly to a baï. This is no mere watering hole. The sandy clearing stretches for half a kilometer, more than a quarter of a mile, in the otherwise unbroken canopy of the world’s second-largest tropical forest.
A handful of researchers camp out on a timber observation platform, overlooking a place that has drawn generations of elephants to its mineral- and salt-laden sand and muddy water. They document how the animals use their trunks or tusks to dig into the sand, eavesdrop on the animals’ conversations, and count the many other species that congregate here. This is Dzanga baï, a meeting place for critically endangered African forest elephants (Loxodonta cyclotis) in the Dzanga-Sangha Complex of Protected Areas where these animals come together in huge numbers to dig for nutrients they can’t get from the otherwise abundant forests.
Baïs are unique to the Congo Basin’s forests, and new research is underway to understand the role these mineral-rich pockets play as a supplement to the elephants’ diet, how this sustains the animals’ population, and how they therefore contribute to the carbon-capture function of the forest.
Unlike the Amazon, the Congo Basin’s forests still have their original megafauna, elephants in particular. And they have these salt-rich clearings. Conservationists are beginning to understand the importance of elephants as forest gardeners here, and how their taste for certain trees and fruits has sculpted a forest that absorbs more carbon per hectare than the Amazon.
The Global Carbon Budget project estimated Africa’s total greenhouse gas emissions for 2021 at 1.45 billion metric tons. Every year, the Congo Basin’s forests soak up 1.1 billion metric tons of atmospheric carbon, storing it in trees and soil; in 2020 carbon credit prices, this service would be worth $55 billion.
Forest elephants, smaller than their better-known savanna cousins or even Asian elephants, prefer certain lower-growing, tasty trees. This picky browsing pressure creates gaps in the canopy that allow other, less palatable but carbon-dense species to reach tremendous heights. Elephants’ appetite for the fruit of these bigger trees then means they spread their seeds far and wide.
A 2019 study from the Ndoki Forest in the Republic of Congo (ROC) and LuiKotale in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) estimated that if elephants were removed from these sites, the loss of their forest-shaping food preferences would reduce the forest’s carbon capture by 7%. This finding makes a case not only to stop deforestation in the Congo Basin, but to protect the elephants too, as a way to slow climate breakdown, the study authors wrote. Mouangi baï, a vast watering hole in the Republic of Congo’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park, is nicknamed Capitale because of the vast number of elephants drawn to its mineral-laden water, mud, and sand. Image courtesy Gwilli Gibbon/African Parks.
Salt licks for elephants, gardeners of the forest
Mouangi baï is only about 250 km (155 mi) from Dzanga baï as the crow flies, but it takes a day or two to travel by road and river to get from one to the other.
Researchers with the conservation organization African Parks and Harvard University’s Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology are zeroing in on Mouangi and other baïs in Odzala-Kokoua National Park in the ROC, to clarify the link between baïs, elephants and the forest’s tree species composition.
Nicknamed Capitale by the locals, Mouangi baï in Odzala draws hundreds, maybe even thousands, of elephants, according to Gwili Gibbon, research and monitoring head at African Parks, which manages the park along with the ROC government.
“Mouangi is one of our largest and most renowned baïs,” Gibbon says.
At the intersection of two rivers, Mouangi is more than 1 km (0.6 mi) across and spans 91 hectares (225 acres). It’s the largest of a dozen of Odzala’s baïs that the African Parks and Harvard research collaboration is focusing on.
Odzala-Kokoua National Park extends across 1.35 million hectares (3.34 million acres), and while it has a few thousand baïs, often occurring in clusters within the forest, this ecosystem makes up only about 0.2% of the park’s footprint. Nevertheless, these clearings may be integral to the shape of the forest itself, which is why Harvard assistant professor Andrew Davies and doctoral researcher Evan Hockridge are teaming up with African Parks to understand the importance of the salty watering holes in supporting elephant populations, which then shape the forest mosaic.
The baïs are clearly a hotspot that elephants seek out for their rare minerals in an ecosystem rooted in the nutrient-poor soils typical of the region. “The elephants use their tusks to scrape topsoil off in specific areas, and eat the finer dust on the surface,” says Hockridge, a landscape ecologist. “They also dig large mining sites or wells, as much as a meter [3 feet] deep.”
The animals’ excavations go even deeper at times, down to where water carries the salt in a more accessible form. The need to ingest the mineral-rich dust, mud and water keeps the animals returning to these sites. An elephant digging for salt-rich mud in the Dzanga baï in the Sangha Rainforest in the Central African Republic. Image courtesy Jan Teede. But how the baïs formed in the first place — they’re present in the Congo Basin, but not in the Amazon — and why they remain clear of forest encroachment are still a mystery.
Hockridge says no one has tried to establish if the now-extinct megafauna of the Amazon once made similar clearings there, or if baï size correlates to the size of the animals visiting them.
“One hypothesis is that megafauna effectively create large, nutrient-rich, lick-like clearings. But it hasn’t been quantified that baïs are manufactured or maintained by megafauna,” he says.
The researchers say they hope to answer this puzzle: Do large mammals like elephants maintain and stabilize the baïs?
Anecdotes from the DRC might give the first glimpse of an answer, according to Harvard’s Davies.
“Baïs may be closing in the DRC, and it could be because the elephants are in a war zone, so they don’t have the big bulldozer effect,” he says.
The hypothesis is that if fewer elephants visit and maintain these clearings, the baïs will be swallowed up by the forest.
Gibbon’s African Parks team has set up experimental plots in the Odzala, where they’ve buried salt in the sand at a similar depth to which elephants excavate. Researchers are monitoring these sites to see if more animals will congregate around the plots, whether this impacts the vegetation cover in and around the baïs, and whether there’s a shift in the carbon-capture potential of the surrounding forests. This study is centered in Odzala, although the researchers say they hope to expand the work into the Ndoki region of the Dzanga-Sangha Complex of Protected Areas. Indigenous Ba’aka trackers work with researchers and tourist operators in various parks in Odzala-Kokoua National Park and the Dzanga-Sangha Complex of Protected Areas. Their knowledge of animal behaviour and forest life is essential to accessing these wildernesses. Image courtesy Jan Teede.
Baïs have a busy social scene
It isn’t just elephants that congregate at the baïs. These watering holes have a bustling social scene.
Gibbon describes the flocks of African green pigeons (Treron calvus) that gather at Capitale at dawn and dusk; buffalo and several bird species that visit during daylight hours; and the hyenas that can be heard calling after dark as the elephants mine for salt.
Wildlife refuges like these in the Congo Basin are also home to the critically endangered western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla), two unusual forest and swamp-dwelling antelope — the bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) and sitatunga (Tragelaphus spekii) — as well as central chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes troglodytes), bonobos (Pan pansicus), and the endangered gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus).
The forests of Gabon, southern Cameroon and southern Central African Republic also have a high number of baïs, and the findings from these studies could eventually be extrapolated to give an idea of the implications for the Congo Basin more widely.
“The area that baïs’ cover is tiny, but they sustain the elephant population,” Davies says. “If our hypothesis is correct, without the baïs you’d have no elephants; without elephants there’s be no big trees with high carbon density, so carbon storage would go down.”
If the forest loses the baïs, it could lose more than just the elephants or see a change in its carbon-capturing treescape. The baïs would no longer draw the many other animals that thrive in these mineral-dense watering holes, and the tourists and environmental researchers drawn to them too.
Citation:
Berzaghi, F., Longo, M., Ciais, P., Blake, S., Bretagnolle, F., Vieira, S., … Doughty, C. E. (2019). Carbon stocks in central African forests enhanced by elephant disturbance. Nature Geoscience, 12(9), 725-729. doi:10.1038/s41561-019-0395-6
Banner image: Elephants dig for salt-rich mud in the Dzanga baï in the Sangha Rainforest in the Central African Republic. Image courtesy Jan Teede.
This story was written by Leonie Joubert and originally published by Mongabay on August 15, 2023 and was republished under a Creative Commons licence.
ENDS
Learn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
A 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
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Location: The Bornean Ferret Badger is endemic to the island of Borneo, specifically in the montane forests of northern Borneo. Key confirmed locations include Gunung Alab, Mount Kinabalu, and the Crocker Range in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia.
The Bornean Ferret Badger is an enigmatic nocturnal omnivore, known for their dependence on intact montane forests. Due to habitat destruction, primarily caused by
Location: The Bornean Ferret Badger is endemic to the island of Borneo, specifically in the montane forests of northern Borneo. Key confirmed locations include Gunung Alab, Mount Kinabalu, and the Crocker Range in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia.
The Bornean Ferret Badger is an enigmatic nocturnal omnivore, known for their dependence on intact montane forests. Due to habitat destruction, primarily caused by deforestation for out-of-control palm oil plantations and agriculture in Malaysia, they are classified as endangered. These threats pose grave risk to these elusive creatures. As omnivores and foragers, Bornean Ferret Badgers play a crucial role in their ecosystems. Their diet helps regulate pest populations, while their foraging aerates soil, promoting forest health. By consuming fruit, they may also aid in seed dispersal, contributing to the regeneration of their montane forest habitats. Immediate research and conservation action are needed to secure their future. Help their survival and use your wallet as a weapon when you shop, #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
• Known locally in Malay as “Biul Slentek,” these badgers of the mustelid family are culturally significant in the regions where they are found.
• Despite their small size, they exhibit fierce defensive behaviours, including releasing a skunk-like odour and displaying bold colouration to deter predators.
• Their nocturnal and elusive nature makes them one of the most challenging species to study in Southeast Asia. The Bornean Ferret Badger is a mammal of the mustelid family, covered in fur that ranges from grey-brown to dark black, with a lighter underside. A bold facial “mask” of white or yellow stripes gives them a distinct, ferret-like appearance, and a dorsal stripe runs from the top of their head to their shoulders, varying in colour from white to red. Their small size—measuring 33–44 centimetres in body length, with a bushy tail of 15–23 centimetres—makes them agile and adept at navigating dense forests.
These badgers are nocturnal and primarily ground-dwelling, but they are also capable climbers, thanks to partial webbing between their toes and ridges on their footpads. Their strong claws allow them to dig efficiently, though they often repurpose burrows dug by other animals rather than digging their own.
When provoked or cornered, the Bornean Ferret Badger displays fierce defensive behaviours. They emit a pungent odour from their scent glands, similar to skunks, to deter predators. Additionally, their bold facial markings and dorsal stripe act as warning colouration, signalling potential danger to would-be threats.
Diet
The Bornean Ferret Badger is omnivorous, with a diet that includes insects, earthworms, small invertebrates, and fruits. They forage on the forest floor, sifting through leaf litter to locate food, demonstrating their adaptability to their montane ecosystem (IUCN, 2015; Wong et al., 2011).
Reproduction and Mating
Bornean Ferret Badgers exhibit year-round reproduction, with females capable of breeding at any time. The gestation period lasts 57 to 80 days, and litters typically consist of 1 to 5 young, born in May or June. The young are weaned and cared for in burrows for 2 to 3 months before becoming independent.
Interestingly, males undergo an annual period of reproductive dormancy from September to December, during which they cease sperm production. This adaptation may be linked to seasonal changes in resource availability in their montane habitats.
Geographic Range
Although their habitat associations are too poorly known to be sure that the recent widespread habitat change in their range poses an imminent threat, the ongoing paucity of incidental records (such as road-kills) in converted habitats suggests that the species is threatened by the ongoing land-cover transformations.
iucn RED lIST
This species is restricted to northern Borneo, including regions in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia. It inhabits montane and submontane forests at elevations above 1,000 metres, with confirmed sightings at Gunung Alab and the Crocker Range. Their reliance on intact forest ecosystems makes them highly vulnerable to habitat loss (Wong et al., 2011; IUCN, 2015).
Threats
Palm Oil and Timber Deforestation: The expansion of out-of-control palm oil plantations, logging, and slash-and-burn agriculture continues to destroy montane forest habitats. Roads cutting through Kinabalu National Park and Crocker Range National Park exacerbate habitat fragmentation, isolating populations and limiting their movements.
Climate Change: Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns due to climate change force high-altitude specialists like the Bornean Ferret Badger further upslope. With limited elevation to escape to, they are at increased risk of habitat loss and extinction.
Natural Disasters: Concentrated in a small geographic range, the species is vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons and monsoons. Epidemics also pose a serious threat to their survival due to the limited separation between populations.
Human Encroachment: Encroachment on the edges of protected areas has led to habitat degradation. Illegal land clearing and the conversion of surrounding forest into agricultural fields further reduce the species’ already small habitat.
FAQs
What are ferret badgers?
Ferret badgers are small mammals belonging to the genus Melogale in the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, otters, badgers, and wolverines. These animals have a unique appearance that combines features of ferrets and badgers, with elongated bodies, short legs, and bushy tails. Their fur is typically dark brown or black with lighter underparts, and many species display striking facial markings or dorsal stripes. Unlike their larger badger relatives, ferret badgers are more agile and adapted to climbing and burrowing. They are nocturnal and secretive, with behaviours and adaptations that make them difficult to observe in the wild. Currently, six species are recognised, including the Bornean Ferret Badger (Melogale everetti), which is one of the least-studied species in this genus.
Are Bornean ferret badgers endangered?
Yes, the Bornean Ferret Badger is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v), primarily due to habitat destruction and fragmentation (IUCN, 2015).
How big are Bornean ferret badgers?
They are small omnivores, measuring 35–40 centimetres in body length, with a tail length of 15–20 centimetres, and weighing between 1 and 2 kilograms (Wong et al., 2011).
Where do ferret badgers live?
Bornean Ferret Badgers lives in montane and submontane forests in northern Borneo, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, at elevations above 1,000 metres. Dense vegetation and intact forest ecosystems are critical for their survival (IUCN, 2015).
Ferret badgers are native to Asia and are found in countries such as China, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including mixed evergreen forests, montane forests, open woodlands, and pastures. Some species, like the Bornean Ferret Badger, are restricted to specific regions and high-altitude environments, such as the montane forests of northern Borneo. These adaptable animals often prefer forested areas with dense undergrowth but can also survive in scrubland or agricultural fields when their natural habitats are disturbed. However, their preference for cooler, elevated regions and intact forests makes them particularly vulnerable to deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
What do ferret badgers eat?
The Bornean Ferret Badger’s diet includes insects, earthworms, fruits, and small invertebrates. They forage on the forest floor, using their acute sense of smell to locate food (Wong et al., 2011).
Ferret badgers in general are omnivorous and highly adaptable in their diet, which typically includes insects, worms, amphibians, fruits, and small vertebrates. They are opportunistic feeders, foraging both on the ground and, in some cases, climbing trees to access food. This diverse diet plays an important ecological role, as they help control pest populations by consuming insects and aerate the soil through their digging. Additionally, their consumption of fruit may contribute to seed dispersal, supporting forest regeneration. The Bornean Ferret Badger’s diet aligns with this general pattern, including invertebrates and carrion, which further highlights their role as a valuable member of their ecosystem.
How do ferret badgers defend themselves?
Ferret badgers have a unique and effective defence mechanism to ward off predators: they emit a foul-smelling secretion from their anal glands. This pungent odour, similar to that of a skunk, is released when the animal feels threatened or cornered. In addition to this chemical defence, ferret badgers rely on their bold facial markings and dorsal stripes, which serve as a visual warning to potential predators. The Bornean Ferret Badger, in particular, exhibits this behaviour and is known for fiercely defending itself when provoked. These adaptations, combined with their secretive nature and nocturnal habits, help ferret badgers evade predation in the wild.
How do ferret badgers move around?
Ferret badgers are nocturnal animals, spending their nights foraging and their days resting in dens or burrows. They are not territorial and move from one resting spot to the next, rarely establishing permanent residences. Instead of digging their own burrows, they often use pre-existing burrows created by other animals. Their broad feet, strong claws, and partially webbed toes enable them to climb and dig efficiently, allowing them to navigate both forest floors and low tree branches. This combination of behaviours and adaptations makes them highly versatile in their movements, whether on the ground or in the canopy.
How do ferret badgers reproduce?
Female ferret badgers typically give birth to a litter of up to three young in late spring or early summer, often in May or June. The gestation period ranges from 57 to 80 days. At birth, the young are blind but already well-furred, with colour patterns resembling those of adults. They remain in burrows for about two to three months under the care of their mother, who provides food and protection until they are capable of foraging independently. The breeding habits of male ferret badgers are notable for their seasonal reproductive dormancy, during which they cease sperm production from September to December. This reproductive strategy may help align breeding with optimal environmental conditions, ensuring the survival of the next generation.
What are the threats to ferret badgers?
Ferret badgers face numerous threats, the most significant being habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development. As forests are cleared for palm oil plantations, logging, and urbanisation, ferret badgers lose the dense undergrowth and connected habitats they rely on for shelter and foraging. Climate change poses an additional threat, especially for high-altitude species like the Bornean Ferret Badger, which cannot move further upslope to escape rising temperatures. Slash-and-burn agriculture and human encroachment into protected areas further exacerbate these challenges. These threats, combined with their naturally low population densities and restricted ranges, make ferret badgers particularly vulnerable to decline.
Wilting, A., Duckworth, J.W., Hearn, A. & Ross, J. 2015. Melogale everetti. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T13110A45199541. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.
Wong, A., Mohamed, N. S., Tuh, F. Y. Y., & Wilting, A. (2011). A record of the little-known Bornean Ferret Badger (Melogale everetti) at Gunung Alab, Sabah, Malaysia. Small Carnivore Conservation, 33, 55–60. Retrieved from: researchgate.net/publication/2…
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Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale everetti Endangered Location: Borneo, Malaysia (Sabah) All records of Bornean Ferret Badger seem to come from within evergreen hill and montane forest or adjacent scr…
Research: Wild cat carnivores in Borneo may adjust their schedules to avoid each other
Study by Hiroshima University finds that due to increased human pressures from hunting, palm oil and other deforestation, wild cats and other carnivores in Indonesia and Malaysia may go out of their way to avoid other species – they negotiate space and resources for survival.
Just as humans may leave their home five minutes early to avoid a talkative neighbour or depart work late to avoid a rude coworker, carnivorous mammals may go out of their way to avoid other species. But they’re not trying to navigate awkward social interactions; rather, they are negotiating space and resources for survival.
Researchers monitored this temporal niche partitioning intermittently over six years with 73 infrared trigger sensor cameras installed at three sites in the Malaysian state of Sabah on Borneo, the third largest island in the world. The international collaboration published their findings, and what they might mean for the mechanism of coexistence between competing mammals, on Oct. 6 in Scientific Reports.
“Approximately 20% of the world’s mammal species face the risk of extinction, mainly due to threats such as habitat loss and overexploitation. The status of mammals in the Indomalayan realm — one of Earth’s eight biogeographic regions, covering most of South and Southeast Asia — is among the world’s worst.”
One of the major roadblocks to effective and realistic solutions to lower the rate of endangered species is the scarcity of basic ecological information on mammals in the Indomalayan region, according to Nakabayashi.
“Information regarding temporal activity patterns of animals is crucial to assess responses to anthropogenic disturbances and to allow the implementation of proper conservation measures,” Nakabayashi said. “Camera trapping is one of the most useful techniques to study cryptic and rare animals.”
The researchers collected 37,379 photos over a total of about three active years. Although the first cameras were installed in 2010 and the last ones were removed in 2016, there were significant periods of bad weather or logistical issues — such as nesting insects — that rendered the cameras inoperable for long stretches of time.
In the dataset, the researchers identified nine distinct carnivore species with sample sizes larger than 10 and categorized their activity patterns by time of day. Of the species, six were active at night, two were active during the day and one was active regardless of time.
Some of the more closely related animals demonstrated a clear temporal segregation, including two wild cats, one of whom was nocturnal while the other preferred the day. However, the researchers also found that three species of civets were all active at night, which might be due to limited competition over resources because all three species eat a variety of food items, Nakabayashi said.
The researchers also found that tourism may have an impact on mammal behaviors. Tourism activities — mainly non-lethal ecotourism events — were conducted at all study sites during the study period. Only one site, however, hosted nocturnal tourism activities. Common palm civets at the other two sites had two clear peaks of temporal activity at night, but the same species at the site with nocturnal tourism had unclear and delayed temporal movement.
“The potential benefits of ecotourism may include reduced threats to wildlife ,” Nakabayashi said, noting that community-based ecotourism can bring significant benefits such as alternative income that incentivizes local communities and policy makers to protect the species in areas of interest. “But our results indicate that the temporal activity pattern of a species might be directly affected by tourism activity. The effect of tourism on animal behavior should be evaluated, even though it is non-lethal ecotourism.”
The researchers also recommended a two- to three-year-long study with at least 10 cameras to gather more data on the activities of the carnivores.
“Current information is too limited and sporadic to understand basic behaviors of mammals, which may affect the progress in evaluating and improving the threatened status,” Nakabayashi said. “We should accumulate more information on rare species to determine their basic ecology and to reassess whether current conservation management strategies are appropriate.”
Other contributors include Tomoko Kanamori and Goro Hanya, Primate Research Institute at Kyoto University; Aoi Matsukawa, Wildlife Research Center, Kyoto University; Joseph Tangah, Forest Research Centre, Sabah Forestry Department in Malaysia; Augustine Tuuga and Titol Peter Malim (deceased), Sabah Wildlife Department in Malaysia; Henry Bernard, Primate Studies-Borneo, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah; Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah; and Ikki Matsuda, the Chubu University Academy of Engineering Sciences in Japan
Kanamori is also affiliated with the Japan Orangutan Research Center. Matsuda is also affiliated with the Primate Studies-Borneo, Institute for Tropical Biology and Conservation, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the Wildlife Research Center at Kyoto University and the Japan Monkey Centre.
The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (22687002, 26711027, 19H03308, 17K15285, 20K15555, JPJSCCA20170005, 25-597 and 201608680) and the Sasagawa Scientific Research Grant from the Japan Science Society (22-537) partially supported this research.
About Hiroshima University
Since its foundation in 1949, Hiroshima University has striven to become one of the most prominent and comprehensive universities in Japan for the promotion and development of scholarship and education. Consisting of 12 schools for undergraduate level and 4 graduate schools, ranging from natural sciences to humanities and social sciences, the university has grown into one of the most distinguished comprehensive research universities in Japan. English website: hiroshima-u.ac.jp/en
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Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, south China, Brunei, eastern Malaysia, Philippines, Brunei, Indonesian archipelago (Nias, Java, Sulawesi, Java, and Bangka) and northeastern India (Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Assam, Manipur)
Green Dragontails could arguably be called the most exquisite and beautiful butterflies alive.
They flutter through sunlit patches of leaves near to streams and rivers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, the Philippines, and northeastern India.
They are mostly black and white with a bright turquoise or light green band running roughly parallel to their abdomens.
Their forewings feature a stunning glass-like transparent triangle known as a hyaline. Their tail features a star-like galaxy pattern that glints in sunlight.
It has been over a decade since they were last surveyed, their range overlaps significantly with areas already cleared for palm oil. Help their survival and use your wallet as a weapon! #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
Green Dragontails belong to the swallowtail butterfly family, endemic to South and Southeast Asia. They are mostly black and white with a bright turquoise or light green band running roughly parallel to their abdomens.
The smallest of the dragontail butterflies, adult green dragontails have an average wingspan of only 40-55mm. They flutter through sunlit patches of leaves near to streams and rivers and are typically found in groups of two to three individuals.
Their forewings feature a stunning glass-like transparent triangle known as a hyaline. Their tail features a star-like galaxy pattern that glints in sunlight.
Dragontail butterflies fly in a unique way, flapping their wings extremely rapidly similar to a hummingbird or dragonfly. They use their long ribbon-like tails as rudders for balance while in flight.
Males appear differently to females, with the latter of a more dull coloured appearance. As caterpillars they have a dark green body spotted in black.
Green Dragontail sub-species
Lamproptera meges meges Sumatra, Java, Borneo
Lamproptera meges ennius(C. & R. Felder, 1865) northern Sulawesi, central Sulawesi
Lamproptera meges akiraiTsukada & Nishiyama, 1980 southern Sulawesi
Lamproptera meges virescens(Butler, [1870]) Burma, Vietnam, Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Hainan
Green Dragontail Lamproptera megesGreen Dragontail Lamproptera meges
Threats
The green dragontail is considered vulnerable and in need of protection in peninsular Malaysia. Although they have not been recently assessed by conservationists, their range overlaps significantly with forests already cleared for palm oil, rubber, timber and other agriculture.
A 2004 study of swallowtails in Assam, India finds they were already extremely rare there
In a study of swallowtail assemblages in Rani-Garbhanga Reserve Forest in Assam in 2003 and 2004, dragontails (Lamproptera species) were found to have one of the lowest mean abundances; both L. meges and L. curius being found in gaps (open patches) as well as in closed forest.[5]
A 2004 report had earlier suggested that the status of the green dragontail in Garbhanga Reserve Forest was “very rare”; later a total of 108 butterflies of genus Lamproptera were seen during the 2003 and 2004 survey, the species-wise breakdown not being published.[ Green Dragontail Lamproptera meges
Habitat
Green Dragontails are found in tropical and sub-tropical rain forests in riverine settings like streams, waterfalls, and rivers as well as in leaf litter.
Their range includes northeast India including the states of Arunachal, Assam, Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland. They are also found in SE Asia in the countries of Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. In 2006 they were reportedly found on the islands of Java, Kalimanta, Sulawesi, Nias and Bangka.
However, in the decades since they were surveyed, their range has been cleared significantly for palm oil in SE Asia. Therefore, it is highly likely that these butterflies have now either gone extinct in these regions or are approaching extinction. Efforts to expand the growth of palm oil in the Assam region of India would also be a serious threat to this butterfly species.
Diet
Because of their straw-like mouthparts, butterflies are mainly restricted to a liquid diet. Butterflies use their proboscis to drink sweet nectar from flowers. The green dragontail has been observed eating from various tropical flowering plants including the family Hernandiaceae.
Mating and breeding
This butterfly’s beauty is ephemeral and shortlived – they have a typical lifespan of between 7 to 12 days. Their eggs are spherical, smooth and pale green. As caterpillars, they are dark green and spotted with black.
Support Green Dragontails by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Green Dragontails could arguably be called the most exquisite and beautiful butterflies alive. They flutter through sunlit patches of leaves near to streams and rivers in Indonesia, Malaysia, Thail…
Juanchi Pérez is a talented and well-established designer, illustrator and artist from Ecuador who captures the soulful presence of rare rainforest animals near his home.
He is passionate about sharing the magnificent animals and plants of his bountiful homeland with the world. Together with his beautiful wife and daughter, he founded Zigze several years ago. They create eco-friendly homewares and clothing in Ecuador. This features Juanchi’s signature illustrations of plants and animals. In this way, Juanchi shares the emotional lives of animals and plants in one of the most biodiverse hotspots on our planet. After seeing the devastation of palm oil firsthand in his country, Juanchi is a passionate advocate for the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Palm Oil Detectives is honoured to interview to Juanchi Pérez about his beautiful, powerful and impactful art featuring animals on the knife-edge of survival in South America.
Juanchi Pérez
I admire the beauty in all creatures. There are fascinating worlds in all scales, from the minuscule to the enormous
It would be very hard to choose only one or a few favourites. It is mind-blowing to watch nature’s creativity, there isn’t a single creature who does not possess an inherent beauty, it depends on humans to see it, or not.
Pionus chalcopterus detalle by Juanchi Pérez
We are often so immersed in our lives that we don’t take the time to appreciate nature
It is kind of sad to see how many of us have forgotten to appreciate or just to contemplate the beauty all around us.
Diversity of the jungle by Juanchi Pérez
My principal motivation to paint is nature and the love I have for it. I love all the magnificent creatures we have in this amazing planet we live in and which is our only home.
I paint animals to make them visible
I have always been attracted to drawing and painting animals. To show them to the world and hopefully change the way we should see nature- as a part of ourselves rather than apart from it.
I believe that all species deserve the same rights to exist
Humankind has lost it’s values. Sadly money is the only driving force nowadays.
We are destroying our own planet and the only place that we call home.
This isn’t just a problem with big companies, but also with our personal choices regarding our consumption habits – what we buy as consumers.
Science has shown that tuna and other big fish populations have decreased more than 90% in many cases
Yet many people still choose to ignore this fact and eat fish rapaciously. If we don’t intervene, in a few years everything will be lost forever.
We should stop eating sentient beings
So yes, right now it’s every person’s responsibility and duty to critically analyse our food choices and to stop eating the sentient beings who deserve to have a life of their own and who do not have a voice.
You can purchase my art through my brand Zigze.com
My art can be found through my brand Zigze zigze.com or you can visit @zigze_arte_salvaje , or my other more personal IG @juanchi_illustration
In Ecuador where I live, palm oil has replaced vast areas of rainforest
Just like in other parts of the world, palm oil companies exist to make money. They won’t stop with their endless expansion, because corporate greed doesn’t care for anything other than profits.
A recent report by Insight Crime revealed that the major driver for deforestation in Ecuador is palm oil
Most forest loss in Ecuador’s Amazon results from land being cleared for palm oil cultivation. Meanwhile, Venezuela’s, Suriname’s, and Guyana’s forests are most affected by gold mining.
Palm Oil and Land Grabs in Ecuador
As in Bolivia, deforestation in Ecuador’s Amazon is mainly driven by agroindustrial interests. Sixty-five percent of land use across Ecuador’s Amazon is designated for pasture, according to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). A lack of economic incentives for farmers discourages them from being sustainable and efficient in their practices, according to the UNDP. Meanwhile, the expansion of industrial agriculture has reduced possibilities for small-scale agriculture. As access to land has become scarce, the illegal grabbing of small plots has ramped up.
Agricultural interests often drive the unconstitutional eviction of communities from territories that have belonged to them for centuries. In many cases, intimidation and falsified documents are used to expel them from their homes. Otherwise, agricultural activities linked to land grabbing are fomented by judicial decisions and rulings issued by authorities. Extracted from: ‘Insight Crime: Fueling Forest Loss: Motors of Deforestation in the Amazon’, published November 8, 2022.
Huge biodiverse parts of Ecuadorian coastal areas have been replaced by this devastating monoculture
Now huge areas of the Ecuadorian rainforest are suffering the same fate. For a cheap and crappy ingredient in supermarket products, we are losing our greatest treasure of Ecuador – our biodiversity.
It is doubtful that any palm oil company or palm oil investor can see the value of conserving this richness. Instead, they are creating a barren and dead land where no other species can thrive. They are disrupting all of the natural balancing systems that have supported humankind and animalkind for many millennia.
Palm oil companies are blind. There is no worst kind of blind person than those who refuse to see!
There is no sustainable way to produce palm oil. When you visit a palm oil plantation, the only thing you are guaranteed to find is kilometres and kilometres stretching far beyond the horizon or palms, palms and more palms.
Recently I had the opportunity to visit a palm oil plantation in Ecuador
“It surprised me to see vast expanses of dead palms. At first I though perhaps they were in the process of being replaced. However, I later discovered that they were dying from some strange disease. The owners didn’t have a clue what was killing them.”
Inside I rejoiced because this was nature fighting back!
As the forgotten father of environmentalism Alexander von Humboldt advised us more than 200 years ago when he glimpsed nature’s vulnerability and the devastating environmental effects of colonial cash crop cultivation:
Monoculture and deforestation made the land barren, washed away soil and drained lakes and rivers.
I believe that our personal choices or actions regarding our consumer habits have way more effect than our words. We as consumers can drive the companies toward better habits.
I support any boycott that will bring greedy companies to their senses and to help stop the devastation of rainforests in Ecuador and other parts of South America and the world.
As a conscientious person, I have become aware of my choices. As far as it is possible, I choose to refrain from purchasing things with palm oil and to buy products with as light environmental footprint as possible.
I admire environmental activists so much
If I could speak to them directly, I would encourage them to keep persevering with their work.
I encourage journalists, activists and leaders to use every tool at their disposal to show what is happening
The voracious companies in Ecuador are devastating our nature and environment. If I could speak to the CEO’s of these companies I would tell them to take their blindfolds off. Their greed and stupidity is no excuse for what they are doing to all life on our planet.
Greenwashing example: Activists place washing machines in front of the Deutsche Bank headquarters to protest against greenwashing during Deutsche Bank AG Annual Shareholders Meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, May 2022. REUTERS
What corporations do for industrial-scale food today will make all of us hungry tomorrow
All systems are collapsing at an alarming rate, mainly because of multi-national corporations and their reckless way of exploiting the natural world. They need to heed the science, logic and their own hearts instead of their bank balances. They need to stop pretending that their actions are not harmful.
Colgate-Palmolive greewashing in the supermarket to assuage consumer guilt but not actually preventing palm oil deforestation associated with their brand Inhumans of Late Stage Capitalism – Brand ABCs consumerism
All of the fortunes in the world won’t serve us anymore if the earth’s support systems collapse
Money won’t serve any purpose if we can’t breathe and don’t have clean water to drink. What these people will discover is that we can’t eat and drink money and we will see them in hell!
The fight is an unfair one
Palm oil giants, allied with the governments have infinite resources, if you compare this with the resources of indigenous peoples.
In defence of nature it will take a brave and valiant effort to resist this sort of power. We should support these activists and demand that their voices are heard throughout the entire planet.
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Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
This is the second in a two-part series. Read Part One. Palm oil, a popular cooking oil as well as an ingredient in an ocean of products ranging from cookies to cosmetics, is the fourth largest commodity crop in Ecuador.
Locations: Colombia, primarily in the Magdalena Valley and Serranía de San Lucas.
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin Cebus versicolor is an intelligent, tenacious and resourceful small primate endemic to the forests of Colombia. With their pale white faces, reddish-gold coats, they are both striking in appearance and crucial to their ecosystems. These capuchins play an essential role in seed dispersal, ensuring the health and regeneration of their forest homes.
Locations: Colombia, primarily in the Magdalena Valley and Serranía de San Lucas.
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin Cebus versicolor is an intelligent, tenacious and resourceful small primate endemic to the forests of Colombia. With their pale white faces, reddish-gold coats, they are both striking in appearance and crucial to their ecosystems. These capuchins play an essential role in seed dispersal, ensuring the health and regeneration of their forest homes.
Tragically, their populations are declining due to deforestation, hunting, and the illegal wildlife trade. Protecting these forests is critical to their survival. Support indigenous-led conservation, adopt a vegan lifestyle and #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife to take meaningful action for these incredible primates.
Most of the natural ecosystems within its historical distribution area have been transformed and less than 20% of its habitat remains in the lowland forests and wetlands of the Magdalena River basin (Link et al. 2013). Pet trade, human-animal conflict due to crop foraging and subsistence hunting also pose imminent threats to wild populations of varied white-fronted capuchin monkeys.
IUCN RED LIST
Appearance and Behaviour
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is a small, agile primate, weighing between 2 and 4 kg, with a body length of 30–45 cm. Their reddish-gold coat contrasts beautifully with their pale white face, chest, and a dark crown atop their head. Their prehensile tail, often matching their body length, allows them to navigate their forested habitat with grace and precision.
These social primates live in groups of 10–30 individuals, led by a dominant alpha male member and multiple males and multiple females of varying ages. They are territorial and actively defend their territories against neighbouring troops.
They communicate using a combination of vocalisations, facial expressions, and gestures. Known for their intelligence, these capuchins have been observed using tools to access food and solve problems, showcasing their adaptability and resourcefulness.
Threats
The main threats to this capuchin are agriculture, urban sprawl, deforestation, increasing energy matrix, increasing road matrix habitat fragmentation, habitat reduction, hunting, harvesting and extensive areas of monoculture eucalyptus and pine.The Varied White-fronted Capuchin is highly threatened in the middle Magdalena region in Colombia partly due to the pervasive habitat loss to large scale cattle ranching, palm oil agro-industries and mining.
IUCN red list
Habitat loss for palm oil and meat agriculture
Deforestation poses the greatest threat to the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin. Over 95% of the original forest in Colombia’s Magdalena Valley has been destroyed, largely due to cattle ranching, palm oil plantations, and monoculture agriculture (IUCN, 2021). The loss of forest cover leaves capuchins with limited resources and isolates populations, reducing their ability to survive and reproduce.
Mining and Oil Extraction
Illegal gold mining and oil exploration are degrading capuchin habitats at an alarming rate. These activities clear vast areas of forest and pollute rivers with mercury and other toxins, destroying essential food and water sources. Roads built to support mining operations bring increased human activity into previously untouched areas, amplifying threats to these primates (Link et al., 2021).
Illegal Hunting
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is frequently targeted by hunters, primarily for bushmeat. In many regions of Colombia, subsistence hunting is driven by local communities’ reliance on wildlife for food. However, the scale of hunting has increased with growing human populations and access to previously remote areas through deforestation and mining-related infrastructure (Link et al., 2022). Hunting adult capuchins disrupts the species’ tightly bonded social groups, as these primates depend on cooperation for survival. The loss of key individuals, particularly group leaders or mothers, has severe consequences for their population stability.
The Illegal Wildlife and Pet Trade
The illegal pet trade poses an equally devastating threat to the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin. Infants are captured and the mothers killed. Infants are sold as exotic pets internationally, often via criminal networks and alongside illicit drugs and other criminal activities.
Diet
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is a tenacious and highly adaptable forager with a highly varied diet, feeding on fruits, seeds, insects, small vertebrates, and bird eggs. They regularly use tools to extract and manipulate food sources. This adaptability allows them to survive in different habitats and seasons. They are vital to their ecosystems, acting as seed dispersers that promote forest regeneration. However, deforestation reduces access to fruiting trees and other food sources, making survival increasingly challenging for this species.
Reproduction and Mating
These capuchins live in complex social groups where cooperation plays a key role in raising young. Females typically give birth to a single infant after a gestation period of about 160 days. Mothers are the primary caregivers, but other group members often assist with caring for infants, a behaviour known as alloparenting. This social structure is vital to the group’s cohesion and the survival of offspring. However, hunting and habitat destruction disrupt these dynamics, making population recovery more difficult.
Geographic Range
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is found exclusively in Colombia, with populations concentrated in the Magdalena Valley and Serranía de San Lucas. Historically, their range extended across vast lowland and montane forests. Today, extensive deforestation and human activity have confined them to fragmented forest patches, leaving them vulnerable to extinction.
FAQ
When was the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin identified as a separate species?
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin was identified as a distinct species in 2012 following genetic analysis. Significant differences in mitochondrial DNA separated them from the White-Fronted Capuchin (Cebus albifrons), underscoring their unique ecological role and conservation needs.
What are the threats to the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin?
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin is threatened by habitat los, hunting, and the illegal pet trade. Deforestation for agriculture, palm oil plantations, and cattle ranching has destroyed most of their habitat. Hunting for bushmeat and capturing infants for the pet trade further endanger their populations.
What is the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin’s conservation status?
What is the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin’s physical appearance?
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin has a reddish-gold coat, a light chest, and a dark crown on their head. Their expressive brown eyes and flattened nose enhance their distinct appearance. Their prehensile tail, matching their body length, is critical for navigating their arboreal habitat.
Where does the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin live?
The Varied White-Fronted Capuchin lives in Colombia, primarily in the Río Magdalena Valley and Serranía de San Lucas. They inhabit lowland moist forests and palm swamps, but habitat destruction has confined them to fragmented patches, making their survival increasingly precarious.
Take Action!
Help protect the Varied White-Fronted Capuchin by supporting indigenous-led conservation initiatives. Boycott products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil, and consider adopting a #vegan lifestyle to reduce habitat destruction. Your choices can make a difference — #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Donate to help orphaned capuchins that are rescued from traffickers. At Merazonia Wildlife Sanctuary Link, A., Boubli, J.P. & Lynch Alfaro, J.W. 2021. Cebus versicolor. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T39952A81282279. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.202…. Downloaded on 06 June 2021.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
The Kaapori capuchin is on a knife-edge of survival – they are critically endangered. In 2017 their population had been decimated by 80% due to deforestation for agriculture including soy, cattle grazing and palm oil. They are forgotten animals with no formal protections in place. Fight for them every time you shop and be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
Part of the gracile genus of capuchin monkeys, Kaapori (also known as ka’apor) capuchins have longer limbs in comparison to their body size. They weigh around 2-3 kilos. Compared to other capuchin species, they have rounder skulls and musculature supporting their teeth and jaws means that they can’t open hard nuts. To get at insects living inside of trees they break branches with their teeth and hands in order to reach the ants inside. They also smash snails against trees in order to crack their shells open.
Threats
The Kaapori capuchin is on a knife-edge of survival – they are critically endangered. In 2017 their population had been decimated by 80% due to deforestation for agriculture including soy, cattle grazing and palm oil.
This species of capuchin is sensitive to even minor changes to their habitat. In the late 70’s the largest hydroelectric dam was built within their habitat range, flooding in the area left their forest home fragmented.
Just like every other primate species in South America – hunting and poaching is also a threat.
Kaapori Capuchins have no formal protections in place. You can help them by boycotting meat and palm oil which is resulting in habitat loss in their rainforest home. #Boycottpalmoil #Boycottmeat and #Boycott4Wildlife
Habitat
The Kaapori capuchin (also known as the Ka’apor capuchin) and is found in only one part of Brazil: Pará and Maranhão along the Atlantic coast to the north of the country.
They are normally found deep in the dense forest where food is most abundant, although they are also found in secondary growth areas during the dry season.
Diet
The Kaapori capuchin is most active during the day time and they are arboreal and omnivorous, feeding on fruits and small insects and invertebrates like snails, spiders, wasps, ants, catepillars, grasshoppers and when the opportunity strikes – bird eggs.
Mating and breeding
Kaapori capuchins are polygamous and females give birth to only one infant at a time with twins being rare. Their gestation period lasts about 150-180 days and they give birth around every two years, sometimes births come closer together when infants die. The capuchins are found in small groups of around 10 or less individuals and co-exist and live alongside bearded sakis and robust capuchins.
Ka’apor capuchins have no formal protections in place and they need your help.
If you wish to raise your voice for Ka’apor Capuchins, join the #Boycott4Wildlife.
You can support this beautiful animal
There are no known formal conservation activities in place for this animal. Make sure that you #Boycottpalmoil and #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket and raise awareness of the plight of beautiful animals in order to support their survival! Find out more here
Further Information
Fialho, M.S., Jerusalinsky, L., Moura, E.F., Ravetta, A.L., Laroque, P.O., de Queiroz, H.L., Boubli, J.P. & Lynch Alfaro, J.W. 2021. Cebus kaapori (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T40019A191704766. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.202…. Accessed on 12 September 2022.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
The Sumatran elephant is a critically endangered subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), confined to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. As one of the world’s largest land mammals, they play a vital role in their ecosystem as keystone species, facilitating seed dispersal and maintaining forest biodiversity. Tragically, their population has be
The Sumatran elephant is a critically endangered subspecies of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), confined to the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. As one of the world’s largest land mammals, they play a vital role in their ecosystem as keystone species, facilitating seed dispersal and maintaining forest biodiversity. Tragically, their population has been reduced by more than 80% in the last 75 years due to palm oil deforestation and poaching.
With fewer than 2,400 individuals estimated to remain in the wild, the Sumatran elephant is at immediate risk of extinction. Protect their future by boycotting palm oil products and advocating for stronger conservation efforts. Use your voice and wallet as weapons. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
While Sumatra is home to several of the country’s largest national parks, many areas in these parks are destroyed—illegally—to produce palm oil. The elephant population across the island is crashing, with far fewer than 3,000 surviving, as herds are left homeless, harassed and killed due to intense conflict with people over shrinking habitat. Their decline is closely linked to the rapid expansion of palm oil plantations, illegal logging, and human-wildlife conflicts.
The Asian Elephant is one of the last few mega-herbivores (i.e. plant-eating mammals that reach an adult body weight in excess of 1,000 kg) still extant on earth (Owen-Smith, 1988). Being hindgut fermenters with relatively poor digestive efficiency (Dumonceaux 2006), elephants must consume large quantities of food per day to meet energy requirements. The lack of reliable population estimates across most of the Asian elephant range presents a considerable challenge to detecting such declines.
Nevertheless, from what is known about trends in habitat loss and other threats including poaching, an overall population decline of at least 50% since 1945 over the last three generations (estimated to be 75 years, based on a generation time estimated to be 25 years) seems realistic. The Sumatran subspecies is listed as Critically Endangered
Appearance and Behaviour
Sumatran elephants are smaller than their mainland Asian relatives, with males standing between 2 and 3.2 metres tall and weighing up to 5,000 kilograms. Their lighter grey skin often features depigmented patches on the ears and trunk, which are particularly prominent in this subspecies. These elephants have larger ears relative to other Asian elephants, an adaptation that helps them regulate body temperature in Sumatra’s tropical climate (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
An anatomical distinction of Sumatran elephants is their 20 pairs of ribs—one more than other Asian elephant subspecies. Male elephants typically develop long tusks, while females either lack visible tusks or have small, rudimentary ones. Their physical adaptations and behaviours are crucial for surviving in dense, tropical forests and swamps, where they navigate their environment with remarkable dexterity.
Geographical Range
Historically, Sumatran elephants roamed throughout the island’s lowland rainforests, peat swamps, and grasslands. Today, their habitat has been reduced to just a fraction of its original range, with an estimated 69% of suitable habitat lost between 1985 and 2009 (Hedges et al., 2020). Their remaining populations are concentrated in fragmented forest patches in the provinces of Aceh, Riau, Lampung, and North Sumatra.
The expansion of palm oil plantations is a primary driver of habitat destruction, with millions of hectares of forest cleared to meet global demand. Fragmented habitats force elephants into smaller areas, increasing the risk of inbreeding, resource competition, and conflict with humans (Setiawan et al., 2019).
Population Status
The Sumatran elephant population is estimated to be between 2,400 and 2,800 individuals, down from tens of thousands just decades ago. This decline represents the loss of hundreds of elephants annually due to habitat destruction, poaching, and conflict (Hedges et al., 2020). If current trends continue, the species could face extinction within 30 years.
Diet
Sumatran elephants are herbivorous and consume over 200 plant species, including grasses, fruits, leaves, bark, and roots. They consume up to 150 kilograms of vegetation daily, playing a critical role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. Elephants forage over large areas, often moving between different forest types to meet their dietary needs (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
Reproduction and Mating
Female Sumatran elephants have a gestation period of approximately 22 months, the longest of any land mammal. They typically give birth to a single calf every four to five years. Calves weigh 80–120 kilograms at birth and are highly dependent on their mothers for the first two years of life. These slow reproductive rates make population recovery challenging, particularly in the face of ongoing threats (Setiawan et al., 2019).
Threats
Sumatran elephants are protected under Indonesian law, but enforcement is often weak. Conservation efforts focus on habitat restoration, anti-poaching patrols, and mitigating human-elephant conflicts. Protected areas, such as Gunung Leuser and Way Kambas National Parks, are crucial for the survival of remaining populations. However, deforestation within these protected areas remains a significant challenge (Hedges et al., 2020). IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Palm oil deforestation: The rapid conversion of forests into palm oil plantations has destroyed large portions of the elephants’ habitat. Between 1985 and 2009, Sumatra lost nearly half its forest cover (Hedges et al., 2020).
Human-Elephant Conflict: As elephants venture into agricultural areas, they are often perceived as pests. This results in retaliatory killings, which account for significant population losses each year (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
Poaching: Male elephants are heavily targeted for their ivory, which is illegally traded. Despite national protections, poaching continues to drive population declines (Setiawan et al., 2019).
Climate Change: Rising temperatures, altered rainfall patterns and extreme weather events threaten the availability of food and water resources, further stressing elephant populations (Nurcahyo et al., 2023).
Take Action!
Protect the Sumatran elephant by boycotting palm oil products, supporting reforestation initiatives, and advocating for stricter wildlife protection laws. Every purchase matters. Fight for their survival with #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife.
Without direct intervention in the national parks the Orangutans along with other forest-dependant wildlife- like the Sumatran Tigers and Elephants will become progressively scarcer until their populations are no longer viable. Spotlight Sumatra – The Final Chapter by Craig Jones
Help the organisations helping these beautiful animals
Gopala, A., Hadian, O., Sunarto, ., Sitompul, A., Williams, A., Leimgruber, P., Chambliss, S.E. & Gunaryadi, D. 2011. Elephas maximus ssp. sumatranus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2011: e.T199856A9129626. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Downloaded on 19 January 2021
Nurcahyo, A., et al. (2023). The movement pattern and home range of Sumatran elephants in the Mila-Tangse landscape. ResearchGate. Retrieved from researchgate.net/publication/3…
Setiawan, I., et al. (2019). Recent observations of Sumatran elephants in Sembilang National Park, South Sumatra. Journal of Tropical Forest Science, 31(2), 299–308. Retrieved from researchgate.net/publication/3…
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Locations: Sabah, Malaysia and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
The endearing Borneo Pygmy Elephant is a diminutive subspecies of the Asian Elephant. They are distinguished by their unusually large ears, baby-like faces, and remarkably long tails that sometimes drag on the ground. These gentle, docile and compact elephants are able to sense through their feet and despite their size are able to walk through the jungle with barely a sound. They are endangered due mainly to #palmoil deforestation and human persecution, with fewer than 1,500 individual elephants left alive.
Borneo’s elephants are genetically distinct from any South and Southeast Asian population and may have been isolated for over 300,000 years. Destruction across their range for corporate greed is out of control. Help their survival every time you shop and #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
Borneo elephants are noticeably smaller than other Asian elephants, standing at 2-3 metres tall and weighing between 3-5 tonnes. They have a distinctly rotund appearance with their plump bellies, oversized ears, and long tails. Their trunks are equipped with a single finger-like muscle at the tip. This makes their trunks highly versatile and used for grasping objects, feeding, and drinking. Borneo Elephants are famous for their gentle and sensitive disposition, they are more docile compared to other elephants. They live in small herds, exhibiting strong social bonds and often seen playing and nurturing their young. These elephants communicate through low-frequency sounds and body language, displaying the full gamut of complex emotions from joy, mourning and grief, cheekiness and playfulness, anger and jealousy.
Fast facts
Borneo elephants have a slower pulse rate of 27 beats per minute compared to other animals.
They can ‘listen’ through their feet by detecting ground vibrations.
Despite their size, Borneo elephants are capable of moving silently through dense forests.
Threats to their survival
Palm oil deforestation: The expansion of palm oil plantations is one of the most significant threats to Borneo elephants. Vast areas of their natural habitat are being cleared to make way for these plantations, leading to habitat fragmentation and loss. This destruction not only reduces the space available for elephants to live and forage but also isolates populations, making it harder for them to find mates and sustain genetic diversity. The loss of habitat forces elephants into closer contact with humans, often leading to conflict situations.
Habitat loss due to logging: Logging operations, both legal and illegal, are rampant in Borneo’s forests. The removal of large trees not only destroys the elephants’ habitat but also disrupts the forest structure, affecting the availability of food and water sources. The creation of logging roads further fragments the forest, creating barriers that elephants must navigate. This destruction of their environment can lead to malnutrition and increased mortality rates among the elephant population.
Human encroachment and conflicts: As human populations grow and expand into previously wild areas, elephants find themselves increasingly squeezed into smaller habitats. Agricultural expansion, urban development, and infrastructure projects such as roads and dams encroach on their territory. This encroachment often results in human-elephant conflicts, where elephants raid crops and villages in search of food, leading to retaliation from local communities. Such conflicts can be fatal for both elephants and humans.
Fragmentation of habitat: The fragmentation of forests into smaller, isolated patches significantly impacts Borneo elephants. Fragmented habitats can limit the elephants’ ability to migrate and access different parts of the forest for food and water. It also makes it harder for them to escape from poachers and other threats. Fragmentation often results in inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity, which can compromise the health and resilience of elephant populations.
Diet
Borneo elephants are herbivores, primarily feeding on a variety of plants, fruits, and tree bark. They require large amounts of water daily, which they often seek in rivers and other water bodies.
Mating and Reproduction
Borneo elephants have a gestation period of about 22 months, the longest of any mammal. Females usually give birth to a single calf, which is nurtured and protected by the entire herd. Calves are dependent on their mothers for milk for up to two years but start eating vegetation at around six months old.
Geographic Range
These elephants are confined to the northern and northeastern parts of Borneo, favouring lowland rainforests and river valleys. Their range is limited, and they often compete with humans for space and resources. Borneo’s nutrient-poor soils and the need for mineral sources also restrict their distribution.
Are Borneo Elephants Protected?
Several organisations are dedicated to the conservation of Borneo elephants, such as the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary and the Elephant Conservation Centre. These groups focus on habitat protection, research, and mitigating human-elephant conflicts.
Supreme Intelligence and Sensitivity
Borneo elephants are known for their gentle nature and remarkable intelligence. Their brains are the largest among all terrestrial mammals, 3-4 times bigger than human brains, although smaller in proportion to their body weight. Despite having poor vision, they possess a keen sense of smell and use their trunks to wave side to side or up in the air to better detect scents. The elephant trunk is a multifunctional tool, used to explore the size, shape, and temperature of objects, lift food, and suck up water to drink. Borneo elephants can display a wide range of emotions, including laughing and crying. They have highly developed memories and can remember individuals and places for many years. These sensitive animals can feel grief and compassion, showing self-awareness, altruism, and playful behaviour. For instance, when a calf complains, the entire family gathers to show concern and caress the baby.
Elephants can ‘listen’ through their feet, detecting sub-sonic rumblings that cause ground vibrations, which they perceive by positioning their feet and trunks on the ground. Their ears consist of a complex system of blood vessels that help control their body temperature, allowing them to cool off by circulating blood through their ears
Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Borneo elephant. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
Williams, C., Tiwari, S.K., Goswami, V.R., de Silva, S., Kumar, A., Baskaran, N., Yoganand, K. & Menon, V. 2020. Elephas maximus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T7140A45818198. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.202…. Accessed on 26 July 2024.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Learn more about the @eucapnetwork workshop aiming to support sustainable #agriculture by sharing innovative #pollinator-friendly #farming practices and systems in line with the EU #Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the EU Pollinators Initiative & the Nature Restoration Law 🐝 linkedin.com/posts/eu-cap-netw…
Bats are absolutely essential to forest eco-systems. They pollinate plants and make the forest grow and also control insect populations. The Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat is species of Indonesian bat that is vulnerable and experiencing rapid loss of their limestone habitat in the area due to limestone mining (S. Bumrungsri pers. comm).
Bats are absolutely essential to forest eco-systems. They pollinate plants and make the forest grow and also control insect populations. The Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat is species of Indonesian bat that is vulnerable and experiencing rapid loss of their limestone habitat in the area due to limestone mining (S. Bumrungsri pers. comm).
In addition most known populations are outside protected areas and the forest habitat is highly disturbed due to livestock and deforestation (S. Bumrungsri pers. comm).
IUCN red list
Known localities are severely fragmented and surrounded by urban areas or rice fields where pesticide use is high. The bats were reported being hunted by local hunters at Khao Samor Khon (Lop Buri) and disturbed by tourist activities in Ton Chan Cave (Sara Buri) and Khao Yoi Cave (Petcha Buri) (Douangboubpha et al. 2010).This species is assessed as Vulnerable because the population is estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals, and they are expected to decline by 15% in the next 15 years (three generations).
Further Information
Douangboubpha , B. & Soisook, P. 2016. Hipposideros halophyllus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10137A22092544. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.
Hello, I’m Melody Lumby from the US state of Oregon. Throughout my career and life (over 50 years) I have been a passionate devotee of plants and a horticulturalist. Prior to retiring, I was a horticultural buyer for a retail nursery business and a lab technician in a horticultural laboratory, testing soil amendments and soil media for quality assurance.
I have always loved Begonias. I have loved them since falling for them at age 16 when I joined the American Begonia Society in Portland, Oregon – I am still a member!
When I first joined, it was me and a bevvy of sweet grannies and together we gathered to discuss and marvel over these plants.
Now after 50 years of living with, working with and loving begonias – I’m the one with the grey hair!
I’ve seen begonias go in and out of fashion over this time.
“Oh, yes. Begonias are a little old lady plant,” they used to say….now look at them!
Begonias are no longer citizens of Dorkville. They are coveted and collected by the hip and ‘planty’
Begonias are greatly coveted by hobbyists and are shown off on social media by hip and ‘planty’ enthusiasts.
I used to pay around $3.99 USD for certain begonias. Now? Some folks will pay $399 USD for unusual and desirable species of Begonia. Sometimes it can be even more expensive than that.
Begonias have been with me through the decades, a lovely silent friend to come home to after work, during life’s trials and joys, a beautiful accompaniment to a happy life.
~ Mel Lumby
Hidden in the jungles of SE Asia, scientists estimate that there are undiscovered begonia species to the tune of three to five hundred new species on Papua New Guinea. They occupy shady forest floors and limestone cliffs, without any name given by human kind. Horticultural commerce hasn’t had a glimpse of them yet.
On Borneo, it is estimated that 400 possibly even more species of Begonia exist – primarily in the under surveyed Kalimantan district.
Begonias, along with orangutans and many other rainforest inhabitants are in danger now. Will these precious jewels of the jungle be located by scientists, described, eventually named and shared, so that people can love and marvel at their incredible beauty? Or will the bulldozer get there first, destroying where they live, making way to plant oil palm plantations for cheap palm oil?
[Pictured] Begonia Rex, National Gallery of Canada (1868)
Come on an enchanting and curious journey into of the world’s most beautiful, medicinal and endangered plants of the rainforest: #Begonias with retired horticulturalist Mel Lumby @[url=https://mastodon.social/users/Norska11]Norska11[/url] #Boycott4Wildlife #Boycottpalmoil
Will exquisite #begonias become historical relics…no longer found in real life #rainforests? Not if Begonia lover Mel Lumby @[url=https://mastodon.social/users/Norska11]Norska11[/url] has anything to do with it! Help her fight for rare plants #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
Beautiful #begonias are the unsung heroes of #rainforests. Their supreme beauty dazzles us. Their medicine protects us. Yet #corporate greed threatens them. By Horticulturalist Mel Lumby @[url=https://mastodon.social/users/Norska11]Norska11[/url] #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
We buy inexpensive products that contain palm oil now. It is a cheap, useful, oil that manufacturers like to use. Cookies, crackers, frozen pizza, shampoo, face lotion.
We buy these products without realising that we are contributing to rainforest destruction. Those rainforest shady places where beautiful Begonias grow are vulnerable to deforestation for palmoil.
“We are destroying swathes of rainforest containing beautiful, jewel-like, treasures. I cannot sit by quietly, while our beautiful earth burns. I must act!”
“I thought that I would quietly retire at the beach, grow a flower garden and happily live out my days with my chickens. I have done this. But I cannot be silent. I am now adding my voice to many others who are trying to save the animals and plants we love from mass extinction. I am only one person, but I can do something.”
Mel lumby
Mel Lumby on Instagram: More begonias being carefully, lovingly grownMel Lumby’s Begonia moysesii in bloom Mel Lumby’s Instagram: Evey Big Buff and Eloise Little Miss, two of my buddies hanging out in the garden bed. Photos: Mel Lumby on Instagram @spock_like_object
“I am able to help fight against the greed of palm oil. This feels so good!”
This issue has been on my mind for quite some time now.
It really bothers me that there are beautiful undiscovered begonias that took millions of years to evolve.
We won’t even get to know about them because of dumb old palm oil!
Nobody even asked for this in our food, etc. The Palm Oil Detectives gal is really a cool person – it is an honour to try to help her.
Deforestation for agriculture is a clear and present threat to tropical rainforests. Especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, economic growth has come at an enormous cost to its unique plants, wild animals and indigenous peoples.
In Indonesia, 10 million hectares of primary forest was lost over the past two decades. A 2019 study identified palm oil plantations to be responsible for 23% (the single largest proportion) of the deforestation in Indonesia between 2001 and 2016.
Over 3 million hectares of the forest estate in 2019 were allocated to palm oil production, which was in strict violation of national forestry law.
It is gut-wrenching and soul-destroying to see. Now palm oil threatens plants, animals and indigenous peoples in South America, India, Papua and Africa as well.
A diversity that rivals the African continent. This may be the highest number of plants of any region on Earth.
There are 931 Begonia species in Southeast Asia
Currently, there are 216 species and one subspecies of Begonia in Borneo.
In Sarawak alone there are 96 species, with an average of at least 10 species described per year over the past 7 years.
In Borneo, there are also 3,000 species of trees, 1,700 species of orchids and 50 carnivorous pitcher plant species.
The natural habitat of begonias is cool, moist forests and tropical rainforests, but some begonias are adapted to drier climates
[Pictured] Begonia socotrana grows in between the shady cracks in rock formations on the arid island of Socotra, Yemen.
Fast facts about the family Begoniaceae
They grow in the deeply shaded forest understory from the lowlands to mountain tops and on all rock types including granite, limestone, sandstone and ultramafic rocks.
The Begonia was named after a French botanist in the 17th century.
There are over 2,000 known species of family Begoniaceae – one of the largest genera of flowering plants. New species are being discovered almost on a monthly basis.
They are mostly terrestrial and are either herbs or undershrubs, but occasionally may be grown from air (ephiphytic).
They thrive in moist tropical and subtropical climates of South and Central America, Africa and southern Asia.
Their leaves are often large, vividly marked and are they are assymetrical and unequal-sided, giving each plant unique beauty.
They are popular ornamental plants for conservatories. Currently, begonias are incredibly trendy and are coveted and admired by house plant lovers all over the world.
[Pictured] Begonia Rex, National Gallery of Canada (1868)
The world’s tiniest begonia was recently discovered Begonia elachista.
They exist at the mouth of a limestone cave in central Peru and nowhere else in the world.
Then there is a newly described giant begonia from Tibet, tall enough to tower over a person: Begonia giganticaulis.
The pretty Florist’s Reiger Begonia comes in a fantastic array of colours including pinks, peaches, oranges, reds, yellows, white.
We cannot forget the lovely tuberous begonias that we plant in the shady reaches of our yards.
To plant large flowerbeds full of Wax begonias in summertime is a sheer delight.
During drought periods, Begonia socotrana drop their pretty, round, leaves and survive as a tuber.
Many years ago, Begonia socotrana was used as one of the parent plants to eventually create Florist’s Reiger Begonia mentioned above.
Mel Lumby
Exceptionally beautiful begonia paintings from history
Those lovely plants are there, for now, surrounded by tropical bird call and orangutan hoots. They often live in very small stretches of area, sometimes only existing on one hillside and nowhere else in the world. Plants can’t run away if that bulldozer comes, they are sessile, fixed in one place.
If a bulldozer razes everything and scrapes that Begonia inhabited hillside bare, that’s it – that particular begonia will be lost, gone forever from our earth in the wild. Millions of years of evolution, gone. All that beauty, gone.
Mel Lumby
[Pictured] ‘Diversity of Species in the Rainforest by Oro Verde – the Rainforest Foundation (2009).
Scientists are constantly discovering new Begonia species in Indonesia
Indonesia has one of the largest concentrations of of begonia species diversity, especially in Southeast Asia with 243 species. In 2022 alone, at least a dozen new species were discovered, here in this article below, seven are mentioned.
Hoya batutikarensis
Hoya buntokensis
Dendrobium dedeksantosoi
Rigiolepis argentii
Begonia robii
Begonia willemii
Etlingera comosa
Read the full story: ‘Indonesian researchers discover seven new species of ornamental plants,’ Indonesian Window.
Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of approximately 17,508 islands and is covered by tropical rain forest, seasonal forest, mountain vegetation, subalpine shrub vegetation, swamp and coastal vegetation. With its reflective mixture of Asian and Australian native species, Indonesia is said to possess the second largest biodiversity in the world, with around 40,000 endemic plant species including 6,000 medicinal plants
We may be losing plants with medicinal purposes and cures as yet unknown which will help humankind
If we bulldoze Borneo, plow down Papua New Guinea, annihilate the Amazon, we wipe out incredibly beautiful plants that haven’t yet been discovered!
It isn’t just Begonias. It’s orchids and all sorts of fascinating tropical plant species. Nepenthes, the pitcher plant species. Aroids – the wonderful Philodendron relatives of Begonias that are also popular now.
Begonia medicinalis was discovered only recently in 2019 by scientists. This incredible species of begonia native to Sulawesi has been used as a medicinal plant by Indigenous peoples for 1000’s of years. Now this plant has been shown to have the potential to fight cancer!
Begonia medicinalis is known as benalu batu in Bahasa Indonesia is a herbal plant that is locally used for traditional medicines. The secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and terpenoids have been reported to be found in these plant extracts. The content of flavonoids can lead to anti-cancer abilities while heat-sensitive flavonoid compounds can be extracted by the Ultrasound-assisted Extraction (UAE) method.
In this study, the anticancer potential of B. medicinalis extracts from the leaves (leaves extract/LE) and stem (stem extract/SE) in three cell lines (Hela, MDA-MB, HT-29) have been performed.
The anticancer potential was obtained from cytotoxic measurements by the MTT method on 3 types of cancer cells incubated with the extract for 24 hours. The value of total flavonoid content (TFC) in the LE was higher than that of SE extracts. Both extracts have the potential as a remedy for the treatment of cancer.
Prihardina & S Fatmawati; (2021); ‘Cytotoxicity of Begonia medicinalis aqueous extract in three cancer cell line,’: IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 913 012084. iopscience.iop.org/article/10.…
Begonia isoptera is used by indigenous peoples in Borneo and has profoundly important medicinal properties
This Begonia species found in Borneo has been used by indigenous peoples for aeons for medicinal purposes. A study from 2011 has found that this begonia species has positive antimicrobial and antibacterial effects on the human body.
Indonesia’s native plants: A medicine cabinet of powerful drugs growing in the rainforest
Indigenous peoples in Indonesia have been using native medicinal plants from their medicine cabinet – the rainforest for 1000’s of years. These medicines are influenced by Indian Ayurveda since Hinduism spread from India to Asia.
[Pictured]: Dyak/Dayak peoples in Borneo have a rich knowledge of ancient plant medicine that is recognised by western science. Images from PxFuel, creative commons.
Indigenous treatments using plants involve a combination of physical and spiritual aspects to form a holistic approach to healing.
The inclusion of indigenous medicinal plants not found in India enhanced Indigenous Indonesian medication. This was further enriched by the influence of Chinese and Arabian traders to the islands.
Dayak indigenous peoples of Borneo are knowledge-keepers of ancient indigenous medicine and treatment from plants. This knowledge is passed down from generation to generation. Now western medicine is realising just how important it is to keep these plants from going extinct. Research shows that these plants may hold the key to unlocking fatal diseases like dementia and cancer, as well as being useful for treating common illnesses and injuries.
Most of this indigenous knowledge of medicine is not recorded. It is passed down verbally in stories from generation to generation and healer to healer.
Dayak Indigenous Ethnographer Dr Setia Budhi: In His Own Words
“For Dayak peoples in Borneo, the land is mother, where they plant fruit, vegetables and grains for their families. The soil is mother where trees grow and develop.
“From these trees they harvest an abundance of creeping rattan for medicine, food and crafts.
“The forest has a ritual function, a medicinal function and a family protection function.”
Historically, Dutch colonialists of Indonesia incorporated elements of indigenous medicine into their treatments, due to lack of availability of western medicine from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Medical texts from this period show that physicians found traditional medicines to be legitimate and effective in treating common illnesses. These publications include:
De medicina Indorum by Bontius in 1642
The Ambonese herbal by Rumphius in 1741
Materia Indica by van der Burg in 1885
De nuttige planten van Nederlansch Indie by Heyne in 1927
Select Indonesian medicinal plants by Steenis Kruseman in 1953
The Medical Journal of the Dutch East-Indies (1894- 1925)
[Pictured] Dutch colonialists overseeing the local workers in a warehouse in Deli Medan North Sumatra, 1897. www.nationaalarchief.nl
Since the 1970’s, the use of lab-based equipment, technology and computational modelling has revealed the remarkable properties of Indonesian rainforest plants, which have anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents within them.
This is what stands to be lost if more rainforests are destroyed for timber and palm oil in SE Asia, Papua, Africa and South America
“I can’t only be a begonia collector/grower anymore. Boycotts work to shift brands to act when governments fail to act” ~ Mel Lumby
Please join me and a growing number of people around the world who love nature, rainforests, animals and plants and who make an effort daily to push back against the corrupt and greedy people funded by the palm oil industry to spread greenwashing misinformation about “sustainable” palm oil.
Borneo is in great danger of being destroyed by deforestation to plant palm oil plantations.
Other places as well: Papua New Guinea, The Amazon, African countries like Guinea. You have seen the news. Our world is in trouble.
There are places with undiscovered endemic plant species with very limited habitats being bulldozed, burned and cut down. Science hasn’t even found these plants! We chop down their only habitat before they get discovered!
Amazing new Begonia species are being discovered all the time in Borneo: Begonia baik,Begonia darthvaderiana, Begonia nothobarimensis. And on and on. Scientists are still finding new and wonderful species there.
It’s super easy to get into a nihilist mindset these days
“It is a struggle and depressing when one realises how everything in the natural world is set up to be used, abused and destroyed – simply for profit!
“We have all been through ‘some things’ these last few years, that’s for sure! I just focus, concentrate and keep going. When it all gets too much, I take a couple of days to chill. Then I begin again with campaigning against tropical deforestation and against palm oil.”
Begonia rajah is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Peninsular Malaysia. They typically have striking bronze leaves and contrasting green veins, and are best suited for terrariums. Watercolour painting of Begonia rajah of an original wild-collected plant grown in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore via Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Stinky meat flowers of Borneo: Rafflesia arnoldii & Rafflesia pricei
Borneo is also home to the largest flower in the world, Rafflesia arnoldii. They along with their relatives, are parasites, living their entire lives inside of tropical vines. These amazing plants only ever emerge when it is time to flower and flower they do! Their superficial resemblance to a rotting carcass goes much deeper than looks alone. These flowers give off a fetid odour of rotting flesh that is proportional to their size, but not to their visual beauty. This aroma has earned them the nickname “carrion flowers.”
Rafflesia pricei by Rimbawan on Getty Images Rafflesia arnoldsii by Boris 25 on Getty Images
12 new species of begonia were found on Sarawak in 2022
Twelve new species and one new record of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Sarawak, Malaysia, are described. All species belong to Begonia sect. Petermannia. Three species are recorded from Totally Protected Areas, one species occurs both within and outside Totally Protected Areas, and eight species occur only outside Totally Protected Areas.
Different species of Begonia by Botanicus botanicus.org
“Polka-dotted. Striped. Furry. Shiny. Bumpy. Ferny. Maple-shaped. Elm-shaped. Grass-shaped. Black, silver, pink, mossy green and bright apple green leaf colors. Reds and oranges, too. Some will shine in the deep forest, with a beautiful blue sheen. The variety of Begonias is incredible!”
Mel Lumby
If you can successfully grow a Darth Vader Begonia – consider yourself a badass
Discovered in 2013 by C.W. Lin, S.W. Chung and C.I. Peng and found in Sarawak, Borneo and found in shaded valleys, streams and slopes.
Not a beginners begonia, this one is challenging to grow. They need a humid terrarium environment. Even then, their leaves are prone to ‘melting’ if temperatures, humidity waver too much from what they like.
This beautiful species has a cane-like habit, olive black leaves and red colouring underneath, with a white to lime green edging.
Begonia amphioxus was discovered in 1984 growing on a limestone hill of Batu Punggul in Sabah, Borneo.
Their red polka dots, bizarre and narrow leaves and pointed at both ends give this species an unusual look.
This delicate looking begonia not only has aesthetic appeal but also commercial value and are highly collectable by plant hobbyists.
They love high humidity and require a terrarium to grow. Once happy they will produce tiny white flowers.
Threats in the wild include timber logging, palm oil, mining and quarrying for limestone and marble. Fires, droughts and extreme weather due to climate change along with tourist activities.
Every animal species in Borneo relies on native plants, including humans! So it’s about time we look after Borneo’s plants – because they look after us all!
Without direct intervention in Borneo’s national parks to protect plants and animals: Everyone from orchids and orangutans, begonias and binturongs will go extinct!
When wildlife photographer and photojournalist Craig Jones visited Sumatra, Indonesia he found protected rainforests being destroyed by multinational palm oil companies – under the greenwashing guise of “sustainable” RSPO palm oil.
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Craig Jones: Eyewitness Wildlife Photographer and Conservationist Bio: Craig Jones One of Britain’s finest wildlife photographers, Craig Jones is also one of the most humble and down-to-earth guys …
Location: Papua New Guinea – Central Province (Kamali District), lowland forests and coastal woodland regions
Thomas’s Big-eared #BatPharotis imogene, also known as the #NewGuinea Big-eared Bat, is one of the world’s rarest and most elusive #mammals- they are critically endangered by #PapuaNewGuinea. Thought to be #
Location: Papua New Guinea – Central Province (Kamali District), lowland forests and coastal woodland regions
Thomas’s Big-eared #BatPharotis imogene, also known as the #NewGuinea Big-eared Bat, is one of the world’s rarest and most elusive #mammals- they are critically endangered by #PapuaNewGuinea. Thought to be #extinct for over a century, they were rediscovered in 2012 in Central Province, Papua New Guinea, in an area heavily impacted by palm oil deforestation, firewood collection, and land clearing for timber, mines and palm oil. Despite their rediscovery, habitat destruction due to palm oil expansion, logging, mining and human encroachment which continues to threaten their survival. Without urgent intervention, they may disappear again—this time, permanently. Help them every time you shop and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
This bat species is threatened by loss of woodland and forest habitat in general, especially in lowland regions near the coast.
IUCN Red List
Appearance and behaviour
Thomas’s Big-eared Bat is a small, insectivorous bat with large ears that likely help them detect prey in dense undergrowth. Unlike other New Guinea bat species, they have a distinctively short, broad muzzle and a paler brownish-grey fur coat. Their large ears may also assist in echolocation, a vital adaptation for hunting in lowland tropical forests. Because they have been recorded in coastal and woodland regions, they are believed to rely on dense vegetation for roosting and foraging, though little is known about their social behaviours.
Threats
Palm oil and agricultural expansion
One of the biggest threats to Thomas’s Big-eared Bat is the expansion of palm oil plantations across Papua New Guinea. These industrial monocultures replace biodiverse forests with barren land, depriving them of the habitat they need to forage and roost. The use of pesticides in palm oil agriculture further contaminates soil and water sources, impacting the entire ecosystem.
Logging and habitat destruction
Widespread commercial logging operations, including the deliberate targeting of protected areas, have devastated much of the lowland and coastal forests where they once thrived. Even in areas where trees remain, habitat fragmentation makes it difficult for small, isolated populations to survive.
Firewood collection and human encroachment
The Kamali District, where Thomas’s Big-eared Bat was rediscovered, is experiencing increasing pressure from local human populations. Firewood collection, land clearing, and small-scale agriculture are rapidly reducing available roosting sites, forcing them into smaller and more vulnerable habitats.
Climate change and extreme weather
The lowland forests of Papua New Guinea are particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising temperatures, increased droughts, and extreme weather events such as cyclones threaten to disrupt the delicate ecosystem that they depend on for survival.
Diet
Like other members of the Vespertilionidae family, Thomas’s Big-eared Bat is believed to be insectivorous. Their large ears and likely use of echolocation suggest that they prey on moths, beetles, and other nocturnal insects found in the undergrowth of forests. Because they are so rare, there is still much to learn about their specific feeding habits.
Reproduction and mating
Little is known about the reproductive behaviour of Thomas’s Big-eared Bat. Given what is understood about similar species, it is likely that females give birth to one or two offspring at a time, with newborns being highly dependent on their mothers for warmth and nutrition. Their breeding season and specific mating behaviours remain unknown due to a lack of field observations.
Geographic range
Thomas’s Big-eared Bat has only been recorded in Papua New Guinea’s Central Province, particularly in the Kamali District. Their habitat consists of lowland tropical forests and coastal woodlands, which have been increasingly degraded by human activity. They may have once been more widespread, but habitat destruction has likely reduced their range significantly.
FAQs
Are Thomas’s Big-eared Bats extinct?
No, but they were believed to be extinct for over a century until their rediscovery in 2012. However, their population is critically endangered due to severe habitat loss.
Where do Thomas’s Big-eared Bats live?
They are currently only known from Papua New Guinea’s Central Province, specifically in the Kamali District. They inhabit lowland forests and coastal woodlands.
What do Thomas’s Big-eared Bats eat?
They primarily feed on insects, including moths, beetles, and other small nocturnal prey. Their large ears and echolocation abilities help them locate food in dense forests.
Why are Thomas’s Big-eared Bats endangered?
Their biggest threats include habitat destruction caused by palm oil deforestation, logging, firewood collection, palm oil agricultural expansion, and climate change.
Can Thomas’s Big-eared Bats be kept as pets?
Absolutely not. Keeping wild bats as pets is both cruel and illegal. Thomas’s Big-eared Bat is a critically endangered species that belongs in the wild. They have specific ecological needs that cannot be met in captivity.
Take Action!
Every time you shop, you can help protect Thomas’s Big-eared Bat by choosing products that are palm oil free. The expansion of palm oil plantations is one of the biggest drivers of deforestation in Papua New Guinea, pushing species like Thomas’s Big-eared Bat closer to extinction. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts, avoid products that contribute to habitat destruction, and advocate for stronger protections for Papua New Guinea’s forests. Use your voice and wallet to make a difference. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Further Information
Armstrong, K.D., Aplin, K. & Broken-brow, J. 2020. Pharotis imogene. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T16887A22114175. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.202…. Downloaded on 26 January 2021.
BirdLife International. (2016). Pharotis imogene. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16887A22114175. iucnredlist.org/species/16887/…
Hamilton, S. (2014). Rediscovery of the New Guinea Big-eared Bat Pharotis imogene from Central Province, Papua New Guinea. Records of the Australian Museum, 66(4), 225–232. doi.org/10.3853/j.2201-4349.66…
Wikipedia Contributors. (n.d.). New Guinea Big-eared Bat. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Guin…
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Bats are absolutely essential to forest eco-systems. They pollinate plants and make the forest grow and also control insect populations. The Thailand Leaf-nosed Bat is species of Indonesian bat that is vulnerable and experiencing rapid loss of their limestone habitat in the area due to limestone mining (S. Bumrungsri pers. comm).
In addition most known populations are outside protected areas and the forest habitat is highly disturbed due to livestock and deforestation (S. Bumrungsri pers. comm).
IUCN red list
Known localities are severely fragmented and surrounded by urban areas or rice fields where pesticide use is high. The bats were reported being hunted by local hunters at Khao Samor Khon (Lop Buri) and disturbed by tourist activities in Ton Chan Cave (Sara Buri) and Khao Yoi Cave (Petcha Buri) (Douangboubpha et al. 2010).This species is assessed as Vulnerable because the population is estimated to be less than 10,000 individuals, and they are expected to decline by 15% in the next 15 years (three generations).
Further Information
Douangboubpha , B. & Soisook, P. 2016. Hipposideros halophyllus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T10137A22092544. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.
Bumblebees have to learn how to get nectar from flowers. They will usually visit the same flowers every day as long as they keep finding nectar and pollen. This is called flower or #pollinator constancy. #bumblebees
Bumblebees have to learn how to get nectar from flowers. They will usually visit the same flowers every day as long as they keep finding nectar and pollen. This is called flower or #pollinator constancy. #bumblebees
Scarce Swallowtail butterfly feeding on lavender flower. Black and yellow striped wings with characteristic tail extensions. Macro photography with natural bokeh background.
New paper in Malaysian Applied Biology using @gbif mediated data:
Understanding The Effects of #ClimateChange on Elaeidobius kamerunicus (Coleoptera: Curculionidea), An Important Oil #Palm #Pollinator in Malaysia: Predicting Future Distribution For The Year 2050 Under Different Climate Pathways 🇲🇾
Local public library’s seed library is happening again. We also exchange seeds with a neighbor. When we do need to buy seeds, we love what has become our favorite seed company: Sow True Seed. And today we received their 2025 seed catalog.
#SowTrueSeed is in Asheville, North Carolina. Although their community was devastated by #Hurricane Helene, their business was largely unscathed. Their seed inventory did not wash away, their employees are safe, and their building intact. Free shipping on orders through December. sowtrueseed.com/pages/about
We’re grateful to our longtime friend Charlotte in South Carolina for introducing us to Sow True Seed, which became a worker-owned cooperative in 2022.
Organic, heirloom and southern seeds at Sow True Seed. Our 500+ varieties of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds are all non-GMO, untreated, and open-pollinated.
Long before chubby #MooDeng 🦛💔 the baby pygmy hippo chonk became an #socialmedia sensation, the forest habitat of the beautiful pygmy #Hippo 🦛of #Guinea #Liberia 🇱🇷 #Africa was being razed for palmoil, cocoa and other crops. They now endangered. Suc
Long before chubby #MooDeng 🦛💔 the baby pygmy hippo chonk became an #socialmedia sensation, the forest habitat of the beautiful pygmy #Hippo 🦛of #Guinea #Liberia 🇱🇷 #Africa was being razed for palmoil, cocoa and other crops. They now endangered. Such beautiful creatures deserve to be saved! Fight back and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop!
The Pygmy Hippopotamus is rarely seen because of their secretive, nocturnal habits and consequently not much is known of their ecology. This diminutive hippopotamus mainly inhabits lowland primary and secondary forests, close to rivers, streams and Raphia palm tree swamps (Robinson 1970, Bülow 1988, Eltringham 1999), sometimes being found along gallery forests extending into Transitional Woodland and the southern Guinea savanna.
Large areas of the original forest habitat, especially in Côte d’Ivoire, have been destroyed or degraded by commercial plantations of oil palm and other products, shifting cultivation, mining and logging, and hunting for bushmeat is increasing throughout the range (Mallon et al. 2011, FFI and FDA 2013).
Published figures on population size are contradictory, with some reports from Côte d’Ivoire indicating that numbers are probably higher than pre-existing estimates (Robinson 2013). However, evidence from camera trapping and sign surveys indicates that densities are low, particularly in key sites, such as Sapo National Park, Liberia.
Even if the estimate of 2,000-3,000 used previously was doubled to 4,000-6,000, using the lower end of the range (4,000), on a precautionary basis, suggests that the number of mature individuals is still <2,500.
Ransom, C, Robinson, P.T. & Collen, B. 2015. Choeropsis liberiensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T10032A18567171. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Downloaded on 15 February 2021
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.
Hello, I’m Melody Lumby from the US state of Oregon. Throughout my career and life (over 50 years) I have been a passionate devotee of plants and a horticulturalist. Prior to retiring, I was a horticultural buyer for a retail nursery business and a lab technician in a horticultural laboratory, testing soil amendments and soil media for quality assurance.
I have always loved Begonias. I have loved them since falling for them at age 16 when I joined the American Begonia Society in Portland, Oregon – I am still a member!
When I first joined, it was me and a bevvy of sweet grannies and together we gathered to discuss and marvel over these plants.
Now after 50 years of living with, working with and loving begonias – I’m the one with the grey hair!
I’ve seen begonias go in and out of fashion over this time.
“Oh, yes. Begonias are a little old lady plant,” they used to say….now look at them!
Begonias are no longer citizens of Dorkville. They are coveted and collected by the hip and ‘planty’
Begonias are greatly coveted by hobbyists and are shown off on social media by hip and ‘planty’ enthusiasts.
I used to pay around $3.99 USD for certain begonias. Now? Some folks will pay $399 USD for unusual and desirable species of Begonia. Sometimes it can be even more expensive than that.
Begonias have been with me through the decades, a lovely silent friend to come home to after work, during life’s trials and joys, a beautiful accompaniment to a happy life.
~ Mel Lumby
Hidden in the jungles of SE Asia, scientists estimate that there are undiscovered begonia species to the tune of three to five hundred new species on Papua New Guinea. They occupy shady forest floors and limestone cliffs, without any name given by human kind. Horticultural commerce hasn’t had a glimpse of them yet.
On Borneo, it is estimated that 400 possibly even more species of Begonia exist – primarily in the under surveyed Kalimantan district.
Begonias, along with orangutans and many other rainforest inhabitants are in danger now. Will these precious jewels of the jungle be located by scientists, described, eventually named and shared, so that people can love and marvel at their incredible beauty? Or will the bulldozer get there first, destroying where they live, making way to plant oil palm plantations for cheap palm oil?
[Pictured] Begonia Rex, National Gallery of Canada (1868)
Come on an enchanting and curious journey into of the world’s most beautiful, medicinal and endangered plants of the rainforest: #Begonias with retired horticulturalist Mel Lumby @[url=https://mastodon.social/users/Norska11]Norska11[/url] #Boycott4Wildlife #Boycottpalmoil
Will exquisite #begonias become historical relics…no longer found in real life #rainforests? Not if Begonia lover Mel Lumby @[url=https://mastodon.social/users/Norska11]Norska11[/url] has anything to do with it! Help her fight for rare plants #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
Beautiful #begonias are the unsung heroes of #rainforests. Their supreme beauty dazzles us. Their medicine protects us. Yet #corporate greed threatens them. By Horticulturalist Mel Lumby @[url=https://mastodon.social/users/Norska11]Norska11[/url] #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
We buy inexpensive products that contain palm oil now. It is a cheap, useful, oil that manufacturers like to use. Cookies, crackers, frozen pizza, shampoo, face lotion.
We buy these products without realising that we are contributing to rainforest destruction. Those rainforest shady places where beautiful Begonias grow are vulnerable to deforestation for palmoil.
“We are destroying swathes of rainforest containing beautiful, jewel-like, treasures. I cannot sit by quietly, while our beautiful earth burns. I must act!”
“I thought that I would quietly retire at the beach, grow a flower garden and happily live out my days with my chickens. I have done this. But I cannot be silent. I am now adding my voice to many others who are trying to save the animals and plants we love from mass extinction. I am only one person, but I can do something.”
Mel lumby
Mel Lumby on Instagram: More begonias being carefully, lovingly grownMel Lumby’s Begonia moysesii in bloom Mel Lumby’s Instagram: Evey Big Buff and Eloise Little Miss, two of my buddies hanging out in the garden bed. Photos: Mel Lumby on Instagram @spock_like_object
“I am able to help fight against the greed of palm oil. This feels so good!”
This issue has been on my mind for quite some time now.
It really bothers me that there are beautiful undiscovered begonias that took millions of years to evolve.
We won’t even get to know about them because of dumb old palm oil!
Nobody even asked for this in our food, etc. The Palm Oil Detectives gal is really a cool person – it is an honour to try to help her.
Deforestation for agriculture is a clear and present threat to tropical rainforests. Especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, economic growth has come at an enormous cost to its unique plants, wild animals and indigenous peoples.
In Indonesia, 10 million hectares of primary forest was lost over the past two decades. A 2019 study identified palm oil plantations to be responsible for 23% (the single largest proportion) of the deforestation in Indonesia between 2001 and 2016.
Over 3 million hectares of the forest estate in 2019 were allocated to palm oil production, which was in strict violation of national forestry law.
It is gut-wrenching and soul-destroying to see. Now palm oil threatens plants, animals and indigenous peoples in South America, India, Papua and Africa as well.
A diversity that rivals the African continent. This may be the highest number of plants of any region on Earth.
There are 931 Begonia species in Southeast Asia
Currently, there are 216 species and one subspecies of Begonia in Borneo.
In Sarawak alone there are 96 species, with an average of at least 10 species described per year over the past 7 years.
In Borneo, there are also 3,000 species of trees, 1,700 species of orchids and 50 carnivorous pitcher plant species.
The natural habitat of begonias is cool, moist forests and tropical rainforests, but some begonias are adapted to drier climates
[Pictured] Begonia socotrana grows in between the shady cracks in rock formations on the arid island of Socotra, Yemen.
Fast facts about the family Begoniaceae
They grow in the deeply shaded forest understory from the lowlands to mountain tops and on all rock types including granite, limestone, sandstone and ultramafic rocks.
The Begonia was named after a French botanist in the 17th century.
There are over 2,000 known species of family Begoniaceae – one of the largest genera of flowering plants. New species are being discovered almost on a monthly basis.
They are mostly terrestrial and are either herbs or undershrubs, but occasionally may be grown from air (ephiphytic).
They thrive in moist tropical and subtropical climates of South and Central America, Africa and southern Asia.
Their leaves are often large, vividly marked and are they are assymetrical and unequal-sided, giving each plant unique beauty.
They are popular ornamental plants for conservatories. Currently, begonias are incredibly trendy and are coveted and admired by house plant lovers all over the world.
[Pictured] Begonia Rex, National Gallery of Canada (1868)
The world’s tiniest begonia was recently discovered Begonia elachista.
They exist at the mouth of a limestone cave in central Peru and nowhere else in the world.
Then there is a newly described giant begonia from Tibet, tall enough to tower over a person: Begonia giganticaulis.
The pretty Florist’s Reiger Begonia comes in a fantastic array of colours including pinks, peaches, oranges, reds, yellows, white.
We cannot forget the lovely tuberous begonias that we plant in the shady reaches of our yards.
To plant large flowerbeds full of Wax begonias in summertime is a sheer delight.
During drought periods, Begonia socotrana drop their pretty, round, leaves and survive as a tuber.
Many years ago, Begonia socotrana was used as one of the parent plants to eventually create Florist’s Reiger Begonia mentioned above.
Mel Lumby
Exceptionally beautiful begonia paintings from history
Those lovely plants are there, for now, surrounded by tropical bird call and orangutan hoots. They often live in very small stretches of area, sometimes only existing on one hillside and nowhere else in the world. Plants can’t run away if that bulldozer comes, they are sessile, fixed in one place.
If a bulldozer razes everything and scrapes that Begonia inhabited hillside bare, that’s it – that particular begonia will be lost, gone forever from our earth in the wild. Millions of years of evolution, gone. All that beauty, gone.
Mel Lumby
[Pictured] ‘Diversity of Species in the Rainforest by Oro Verde – the Rainforest Foundation (2009).
Scientists are constantly discovering new Begonia species in Indonesia
Indonesia has one of the largest concentrations of of begonia species diversity, especially in Southeast Asia with 243 species. In 2022 alone, at least a dozen new species were discovered, here in this article below, seven are mentioned.
Hoya batutikarensis
Hoya buntokensis
Dendrobium dedeksantosoi
Rigiolepis argentii
Begonia robii
Begonia willemii
Etlingera comosa
Read the full story: ‘Indonesian researchers discover seven new species of ornamental plants,’ Indonesian Window.
Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of approximately 17,508 islands and is covered by tropical rain forest, seasonal forest, mountain vegetation, subalpine shrub vegetation, swamp and coastal vegetation. With its reflective mixture of Asian and Australian native species, Indonesia is said to possess the second largest biodiversity in the world, with around 40,000 endemic plant species including 6,000 medicinal plants
We may be losing plants with medicinal purposes and cures as yet unknown which will help humankind
If we bulldoze Borneo, plow down Papua New Guinea, annihilate the Amazon, we wipe out incredibly beautiful plants that haven’t yet been discovered!
It isn’t just Begonias. It’s orchids and all sorts of fascinating tropical plant species. Nepenthes, the pitcher plant species. Aroids – the wonderful Philodendron relatives of Begonias that are also popular now.
Begonia medicinalis was discovered only recently in 2019 by scientists. This incredible species of begonia native to Sulawesi has been used as a medicinal plant by Indigenous peoples for 1000’s of years. Now this plant has been shown to have the potential to fight cancer!
Begonia medicinalis is known as benalu batu in Bahasa Indonesia is a herbal plant that is locally used for traditional medicines. The secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and terpenoids have been reported to be found in these plant extracts. The content of flavonoids can lead to anti-cancer abilities while heat-sensitive flavonoid compounds can be extracted by the Ultrasound-assisted Extraction (UAE) method.
In this study, the anticancer potential of B. medicinalis extracts from the leaves (leaves extract/LE) and stem (stem extract/SE) in three cell lines (Hela, MDA-MB, HT-29) have been performed.
The anticancer potential was obtained from cytotoxic measurements by the MTT method on 3 types of cancer cells incubated with the extract for 24 hours. The value of total flavonoid content (TFC) in the LE was higher than that of SE extracts. Both extracts have the potential as a remedy for the treatment of cancer.
Prihardina & S Fatmawati; (2021); ‘Cytotoxicity of Begonia medicinalis aqueous extract in three cancer cell line,’: IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci. 913 012084. iopscience.iop.org/article/10.…
Begonia isoptera is used by indigenous peoples in Borneo and has profoundly important medicinal properties
This Begonia species found in Borneo has been used by indigenous peoples for aeons for medicinal purposes. A study from 2011 has found that this begonia species has positive antimicrobial and antibacterial effects on the human body.
Indonesia’s native plants: A medicine cabinet of powerful drugs growing in the rainforest
Indigenous peoples in Indonesia have been using native medicinal plants from their medicine cabinet – the rainforest for 1000’s of years. These medicines are influenced by Indian Ayurveda since Hinduism spread from India to Asia.
[Pictured]: Dyak/Dayak peoples in Borneo have a rich knowledge of ancient plant medicine that is recognised by western science. Images from PxFuel, creative commons.
Indigenous treatments using plants involve a combination of physical and spiritual aspects to form a holistic approach to healing.
The inclusion of indigenous medicinal plants not found in India enhanced Indigenous Indonesian medication. This was further enriched by the influence of Chinese and Arabian traders to the islands.
Dayak indigenous peoples of Borneo are knowledge-keepers of ancient indigenous medicine and treatment from plants. This knowledge is passed down from generation to generation. Now western medicine is realising just how important it is to keep these plants from going extinct. Research shows that these plants may hold the key to unlocking fatal diseases like dementia and cancer, as well as being useful for treating common illnesses and injuries.
Most of this indigenous knowledge of medicine is not recorded. It is passed down verbally in stories from generation to generation and healer to healer.
Dayak Indigenous Ethnographer Dr Setia Budhi: In His Own Words
“For Dayak peoples in Borneo, the land is mother, where they plant fruit, vegetables and grains for their families. The soil is mother where trees grow and develop.
“From these trees they harvest an abundance of creeping rattan for medicine, food and crafts.
“The forest has a ritual function, a medicinal function and a family protection function.”
Historically, Dutch colonialists of Indonesia incorporated elements of indigenous medicine into their treatments, due to lack of availability of western medicine from the 17th to the 19th centuries. Medical texts from this period show that physicians found traditional medicines to be legitimate and effective in treating common illnesses. These publications include:
De medicina Indorum by Bontius in 1642
The Ambonese herbal by Rumphius in 1741
Materia Indica by van der Burg in 1885
De nuttige planten van Nederlansch Indie by Heyne in 1927
Select Indonesian medicinal plants by Steenis Kruseman in 1953
The Medical Journal of the Dutch East-Indies (1894- 1925)
[Pictured] Dutch colonialists overseeing the local workers in a warehouse in Deli Medan North Sumatra, 1897. www.nationaalarchief.nl
Since the 1970’s, the use of lab-based equipment, technology and computational modelling has revealed the remarkable properties of Indonesian rainforest plants, which have anti-viral, anti-malarial, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents within them.
This is what stands to be lost if more rainforests are destroyed for timber and palm oil in SE Asia, Papua, Africa and South America
“I can’t only be a begonia collector/grower anymore. Boycotts work to shift brands to act when governments fail to act” ~ Mel Lumby
Please join me and a growing number of people around the world who love nature, rainforests, animals and plants and who make an effort daily to push back against the corrupt and greedy people funded by the palm oil industry to spread greenwashing misinformation about “sustainable” palm oil.
Borneo is in great danger of being destroyed by deforestation to plant palm oil plantations.
Other places as well: Papua New Guinea, The Amazon, African countries like Guinea. You have seen the news. Our world is in trouble.
There are places with undiscovered endemic plant species with very limited habitats being bulldozed, burned and cut down. Science hasn’t even found these plants! We chop down their only habitat before they get discovered!
Amazing new Begonia species are being discovered all the time in Borneo: Begonia baik,Begonia darthvaderiana, Begonia nothobarimensis. And on and on. Scientists are still finding new and wonderful species there.
It’s super easy to get into a nihilist mindset these days
“It is a struggle and depressing when one realises how everything in the natural world is set up to be used, abused and destroyed – simply for profit!
“We have all been through ‘some things’ these last few years, that’s for sure! I just focus, concentrate and keep going. When it all gets too much, I take a couple of days to chill. Then I begin again with campaigning against tropical deforestation and against palm oil.”
Begonia rajah is a species of flowering plant in the family Begoniaceae, native to Peninsular Malaysia. They typically have striking bronze leaves and contrasting green veins, and are best suited for terrariums. Watercolour painting of Begonia rajah of an original wild-collected plant grown in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore via Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Stinky meat flowers of Borneo: Rafflesia arnoldii & Rafflesia pricei
Borneo is also home to the largest flower in the world, Rafflesia arnoldii. They along with their relatives, are parasites, living their entire lives inside of tropical vines. These amazing plants only ever emerge when it is time to flower and flower they do! Their superficial resemblance to a rotting carcass goes much deeper than looks alone. These flowers give off a fetid odour of rotting flesh that is proportional to their size, but not to their visual beauty. This aroma has earned them the nickname “carrion flowers.”
Rafflesia pricei by Rimbawan on Getty Images Rafflesia arnoldsii by Boris 25 on Getty Images
12 new species of begonia were found on Sarawak in 2022
Twelve new species and one new record of Begonia (Begoniaceae) from Sarawak, Malaysia, are described. All species belong to Begonia sect. Petermannia. Three species are recorded from Totally Protected Areas, one species occurs both within and outside Totally Protected Areas, and eight species occur only outside Totally Protected Areas.
Different species of Begonia by Botanicus botanicus.org
“Polka-dotted. Striped. Furry. Shiny. Bumpy. Ferny. Maple-shaped. Elm-shaped. Grass-shaped. Black, silver, pink, mossy green and bright apple green leaf colors. Reds and oranges, too. Some will shine in the deep forest, with a beautiful blue sheen. The variety of Begonias is incredible!”
Mel Lumby
If you can successfully grow a Darth Vader Begonia – consider yourself a badass
Discovered in 2013 by C.W. Lin, S.W. Chung and C.I. Peng and found in Sarawak, Borneo and found in shaded valleys, streams and slopes.
Not a beginners begonia, this one is challenging to grow. They need a humid terrarium environment. Even then, their leaves are prone to ‘melting’ if temperatures, humidity waver too much from what they like.
This beautiful species has a cane-like habit, olive black leaves and red colouring underneath, with a white to lime green edging.
Begonia amphioxus was discovered in 1984 growing on a limestone hill of Batu Punggul in Sabah, Borneo.
Their red polka dots, bizarre and narrow leaves and pointed at both ends give this species an unusual look.
This delicate looking begonia not only has aesthetic appeal but also commercial value and are highly collectable by plant hobbyists.
They love high humidity and require a terrarium to grow. Once happy they will produce tiny white flowers.
Threats in the wild include timber logging, palm oil, mining and quarrying for limestone and marble. Fires, droughts and extreme weather due to climate change along with tourist activities.
Every animal species in Borneo relies on native plants, including humans! So it’s about time we look after Borneo’s plants – because they look after us all!
Without direct intervention in Borneo’s national parks to protect plants and animals: Everyone from orchids and orangutans, begonias and binturongs will go extinct!
When wildlife photographer and photojournalist Craig Jones visited Sumatra, Indonesia he found protected rainforests being destroyed by multinational palm oil companies – under the greenwashing guise of “sustainable” RSPO palm oil.
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Palm Oil Detectives is completely self-funded by its creator. All hosting and website fees and investigations into brands are self-funded by the creator of this online movement. If you like what I am doing, you and would like me to help meet costs, please send Palm Oil Detectives a thanks on Ko-Fi.
Craig Jones: Eyewitness Wildlife Photographer and Conservationist Bio: Craig Jones One of Britain’s finest wildlife photographers, Craig Jones is also one of the most humble and down-to-earth guys …
These are the forgotten animals of the secretly destroyed forests
Heidi Hautala, Vice-President of the European Parliament and part of the the Human Rights and Democracy panel and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)
“No voluntary standards or industry schemes have done the job fully [of eliminating deforestation or human rights abuses]. That is why the game-changing EU CSDDD [Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive] is mandatory. Certification is a useful tool but will not liberate the company from its duty of due diligence”
Tana River Mangabey Cercocebus galeritus
The rapid decline of Tana River Mangabeys has several causes including: Forest clearance for agriculture.The Tana river in Kenya home of the Tana River Mangabey Cercocebus galeritus is being destroyed for agriculture
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
Pileated Gibbon Hylobates pileatus
How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd
Mouangi baï, a vast watering hole in the Republic of Congo’s Odzala-Kokoua National Park, is nicknamed Capitale because of the vast number of elephants drawn to its mineral-laden water, mud, and sand. Image courtesy Gwilli Gibbon/African Parks.
An elephant digging for salt-rich mud in the Dzanga baï in the Sangha Rainforest in the Central African Republic. Image courtesy Jan Teede.
Indigenous Ba’aka trackers work with researchers and tourist operators in various parks in Odzala-Kokoua National Park and the Dzanga-Sangha Complex of Protected Areas. Their knowledge of animal behaviour and forest life is essential to accessing these wildernesses. Image courtesy Jan Teede.
by Palm Oil DetectivesSeptember 29, 2024January 7, 2025
by Palm Oil DetectivesNovember 26, 2023December 3, 2024
Juanchi Pérez
Pionus chalcopterus detalle by Juanchi Pérez
Diversity of the jungle by Juanchi Pérez
Andean Night Monkey Andus miconax threatene by palm oil deforestation #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife
‘Insight Crime: Fueling Forest Loss: Motors of Deforestation in the Amazon’, published November 8, 2022.
Spoiled Fruit: landgrabbing, violence and slavery for “sustainable” palm oil
Greenwashing example: Activists place washing machines in front of the Deutsche Bank headquarters to protest against greenwashing during Deutsche Bank AG Annual Shareholders Meeting in Frankfurt, Germany, May 2022. REUTERS
Colgate-Palmolive greewashing in the supermarket to assuage consumer guilt but not actually preventing palm oil deforestation associated with their brand
Inhumans of Late Stage Capitalism – Brand ABCs consumerism
[Pictured] Begonia Rex, National Gallery of Canada (1868)
Come on an enchanting and curious journey into of the world’s most beautiful, medicinal and endangered plants of the rainforest: #Begonias with retired horticulturalist Mel Lumby @[url=https://mastodon.social/users/Norska11]Norska11[/url] #Boycott4Wildlife #BoycottpalmoilMel Lumby on Instagram: More begonias being carefully, lovingly grown
Mel Lumby’s Begonia moysesii in bloom
Mel Lumby’s Instagram: Evey Big Buff and Eloise Little Miss, two of my buddies hanging out in the garden bed.
Palm Oil and Pollution by Jo Frederiks
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This Begonia species found in Borneo has been used by indigenous peoples for aeons for medicinal purposes. A study from 2011 has found that this begonia species has positive antimicrobial and antibacterial effects on the human body.Dayak Indigenous Ethnographer Dr Setia Budhi: In His Own Words
“For Dayak peoples in Borneo, the land is mother, where they plant fruit, vegetables and grains for their families. The soil is mother where trees grow and develop.Watercolour painting of Begonia rajah of an original wild-collected plant grown in the Botanic Gardens, Singapore via Singapore Botanic Gardens.
Begonia coriacea – Hooker – Curtis Botanical Magazine Bot. Mag. 78 t. 4676 (1852)
Rafflesia pricei by Rimbawan on Getty Images
Rafflesia arnoldsii by Boris 25 on Getty Images
Different species of Begonia by Botanicus botanicus.org
“Polka-dotted. Striped. Furry. Shiny. Bumpy. Ferny. Maple-shaped. Elm-shaped. Grass-shaped. Black, silver, pink, mossy green and bright apple green leaf colors. Reds and oranges, too. Some will shine in the deep forest, with a beautiful blue sheen. The variety of Begonias is incredible!”https://www.lyasolisblog.ie/home/flora/begonia-darthvaderiana-care" title="Begonia Darthvaderiana By Lya Solis Blog https://www.lyasolisblog.ie/home/flora/begonia-darthvaderiana-care" class="has-alt-description">
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Dorias Tree Kangaroo Dendrolagus dorianus
Giant Ground Pangolin Manis gigantea
Borneo Pygmy Elephant Elephas maximus borneensis
Bornean Peacock-pheasant Polyplectron schleiermacheri
