We’re taking a closer look at how some of the world’s endangered species are affected by deforestation and climate change.
That was coverage from wildlifemedia.org and National Geographic, who highlight the plight of bears around the world, and the red ape - the orangutan.
Australia’s Herald Sun reports the recent discovery of approximately 2,000 orangutans in a remote region of Borneo, “raises hopes” for the species.
The senior ecologist who led the discovery tells CNN…
"We rarely have something positive to report in the conservation world. Most of the stories are about declining population or animals dying. It's all pretty negative… So to find a substantial population of potentially several hundred to several thousand animals is very exciting." (CNN)
The Jakarta Post reports the challenges orangutans in Sumatra and Borneo face, saying…
“Their numbers are decreasing year by year due to deforestation for palm oil plantations, hunting and trafficking.” (The Jakarta Post)
Moving back to the world’s bear population, the Bellingham Herald highlights Beartrek - a feature film-in-the-making where one ecologist motorcycles through the forests of Alaska to Borneo to capture these creatures in their natural environment.
Motorcycling ecologist Chris Morgan tells the Herald…
“...[bears] represent these wild places that we all need. Where you've got bears, you've got fresh water, you've got clean air, you've got intact forest and ecosystems… They need those things, and so do we." (Bellingham Herald)
New York Times and Discover Magazine contributor Carl Zimmer argues…
“Good old chainsaws are still the big danger.” (Discover Magazine)
Zimmer relays the opinion of one biologist who also says…
“Climate change poses a genuine threat to biodiversity, but ‘it does not come close to the immediate, irreparable damage caused by the destruction of habitat.” (Discover Magazine)
What do you think it will take to reduce commercial and illegal logging throughout the world’s forests?
For more information on deforestation, climate change and other pressing environmental issues, please take a closer look at our Earth Day coverage.
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