Swinging Toward Extinction: The Fight to Save Borneo’s Orangutans

In the lush rainforests of Borneo, orangutans swing through the trees, raise their babies, and search for food. But now, palm oil plantations are destroying orangutan homes. A palm oil company called PT Equator Sumber Rezeki (ESR) has started cutting down large areas of forest in West Kalimantan, Indonesia. This forest is not just any forest—it’s a critical habitat for the Bornean orangutan, a species already in danger of disappearing forever.

What’s Happening to Borneo’s Orangutans?

ESR, part of the First Borneo Group, has begun clearing parts of a 15,000-hectare (about 37,000 acres) area of forest. So far, over 200 hectares (about 500 acres) have been cut down between August 2024 and February 2025. But conservationists warn that up to 10,000 hectares (nearly 25,000 acres) could be lost if the company continues.

This area is home to the critically endangered Bornean orangutan. At least 80% of the land ESR wants to clear is considered high conservation value forest, meaning it’s especially important for wildlife. About 3,827 hectares (9,457 acres) of this land overlaps directly with orangutan habitat.

What’s the Big Deal?

Orangutans need forests to survive. They live in trees, eat fruits and leaves, and travel through the canopy. When their forest is destroyed, they lose their homes, food sources, and safe places to raise their young.​

The Bornean orangutan is already critically endangered, with fewer than 100,000 individuals left in the wild. If deforestation continues, these great apes could vanish within our lifetime.

What Can We Do to Help Borneo’s Orangutans?

Many companies use palm oil in products like snacks, soaps, and cosmetics because it’s cheap. Some major buyers, like Nestlé and Musim Mas, have stopped sourcing from First Borneo Group because of its deforestation practices. However, other companies still buy from them. According to Mongabay, these companies include Avon, General Mills, Grupo Bimbo, Lion Corporation, Meiji, Mondelēz, P&G, PZ Cussons, Reckitt Benckiser and Unilever.

That means there’s a high risk that the global supply chains for products ranging from Crest toothpaste to Cheerios could be tainted with deforestation.

Final Thoughts

Orangutans are intelligent, gentle creatures that share about 97% of our DNA. They deserve a chance to live in their natural habitat without the threat of deforestation. By making informed choices and supporting conservation efforts, we can help protect these amazing humanlike animals and the forests they call home.

You can help by:

• Reading labels: Look for products that use sustainable palm oil or are palm oil-free.
• Learn the sneaky names for palm oil:
• Supporting conservation groups: Organizations like the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation work to protect orangutans and their habitats.
• Spreading awareness: Share information about the impact of palm oil on rainforests and wildlife.

In case you missed it: Palm Oil: The Hidden Problems Behind It