In the palm of their hands

MALAYSIA SWINGS TOWARDS NEW FUTURE FOR ORANGUTANS

In celebration of this year's World Orangutan Day (August 19th), Malaysia has amended its' original plan (announced in May) which had invited countries that buy its palm oil to adopt orangutans and take some of them abroad - instead thankfully leaving and supporting them in their natural habitats.

The initial strategy, based on China's 'panda diplomacy' scheme, and using them as 'trade gifts' was understandably met by an outcry from wildlife organisations and conservation groups, not least because Orangutans are critically endangered, with habitat loss due to logging and agricultural expansion - particularly palm oil plantations. The EU has also announced a ban on commodities, linked to deforestation (like palm oil), which Malaysia called 'discriminatory'.

Thankfully, Plantation and Commodities Minister Johari Abdul Ghani has had a change of heart and mindset, telling reporters at a 'World Orangutan Day' celebration at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre in Sandakan, "We have decided to keep our orangutans in their own natural habitat".

According to the official Bernama news agency he added "All conservation activities will be carried out in forest areas or forest patches in oil palm plantations with high conservation value. These areas provide space for orangutans to move freely, find food, and reproduce without interference from humans or other activities."

Malaysia is the world's second-largest producer of palm oil which is used in everything from shampoo and cosmetics to food such as chocolate, cakes, margarine and pizza. As well as announcing funding from the palm oil foundation to conserve threatened habitats and wildlife, species, Johari also pledged to halt deforestation in Malaysia, saying 54% of the country was forested and that the level would not fall below 50%.

Under the newly modified orangutan conservation programme, importers of Malaysian palm oil can choose to sponsor one or more orangutans which they then help look after. Johari said, "The funds will be used to implement various programmes including collaborating with the rangers and experts to monitor the presence, safety and condition of these wild animals."