Deforestation
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World’s Rarest Big Cat: Critically Endangered Amur Leopard
Deep in the snowy forests of Russia and China, a secretive cat moves like a ghost. This is the Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis), the rarest big cat on Earth. Sadly, only less than 60 remain in the wild, putting them at risk of extinction. Amur leopards are a “critically endangered”, which means they are in serious danger of disappearing from the wild forever. These sleek, spotted predators weigh 70 to 105 pounds and are built for survival. They can sprint up to 37 miles per hour, leap 10 feet high and 20 feet across, and silently stalk prey in the dense forest. As solitary and nocturnal hunters, they rely…
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How Farming Fuels Forest Loss: The Agriculture-Deforestation Link
Forests are home to amazing animals, provide us with fresh air, and are vital to keeping our planet healthy. So why are humans cutting them down at such an alarming rate? The main reason is agriculture—growing food and raising animals. Uncover the truth about deforestation and its biggest cause: agriculture. Learn how it affects our planet and what we can do to prevent it. What is Deforestation? Deforestation means clearing forests to use the land for something else. People cut down trees to make space for farms, ranches, and plantations. Sometimes, forests are also cleared to build roads or cities, but agriculture is the biggest culprit. How Agriculture Leads to…
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Palm Oil: The Hidden Problems Behind It
I always dreamed of seeing orangutans in the wild. I knew that they are probably the most intelligent of all the great apes because of their ability to innovate and problem-solve. However, problems with palm oil production greatly threaten their habitat. In 2007, I finally scraped together the money to travel to Borneo. Little did I know, at 53 years old, I would find my passion. My Journey Begins When I landed in Jakarta, beginning my journey to Borneo, a suffocating haze greeted me. My eyes burned, my throat grew raspy, and smoke clung to my clothing and hair. I quickly learned the cause: illegal fires, set intentionally to clear…
