Mastodawn

Palm Oil Detectives Feb 15, 2021

Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis

Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis

IUCN Status: Endangered

Location: The Pygmy Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) is found in the dense forests, swamps, and riverbanks of West Africa, primarily in Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. They rely on the remaining fragments of lowland rainforest, particularly near freshwater sources, where they navigate through dense undergrowth using well-worn trails.

In the dwindling rainforests of West Africa, a rare and secretive #hippo clings to survival. The Pygmy #Hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) is a shy, nocturnal #mammal dwelling in rivers, distinct from its larger, more familiar relative, the Common Hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius). Long before chubby #MooDeng 🦛💔 the baby pygmy hippo chonk became a social media sensation, the forest habitat of the beautiful pygmy #Hippo 🦛of #Guinea #Liberia 🇱🇷 #Africa was being razed for #palmoil, #cocoa and other crops. Unlike their river-dwelling cousins, Pygmy Hippos are primarily solitary, roaming through dense tropical forests in search of food. Their populations have been devastated by relentless deforestation, hunting, and habitat fragmentation, leaving them teetering on the brink of extinction. They now endangered. Such beautiful creatures deserve to be saved! There are now fewer than 2,500 individuals remaining in the wild. Fight back and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop!

https://youtu.be/hFfsonkN1Vc

The forest habitat of the beautiful pygmy #Hippo 🦛of #Guinea #Liberia 🇱🇷 #Africa is being razed for #palmoil and other crops. They now endangered. Such a beautiful creature deserves to be saved! Fight back and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife https://wp.me/pcFhgU-Qp

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Long before chubby #MooDeng 🦛💔 the baby pygmy #hippo chonk became an #socialmedia sensation, #Liberia’s #forests were being pulped for #palmoil #cocoa and #tobacco #agriculture 😡 Help her and 1000s of others to survive! Be #Vegan and #Boycott4Wildlife https://wp.me/pcFhgU-Qp

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If chubby and cute pygmy #hippo 🦛named #MooDeng could talk, she’d tell us all to stop staring at her online and instead to take action to save her home! Sign the #petition, be #Vegan and🍓🌱 #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🪔🚫 @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-97b

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Appearance and Behaviour

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 sometimes being found along gallery forests extending into Transitional Woodland and the southern Guinea savanna.

Pygmy Hippos are significantly smaller than Common Hippos, standing only 70–80 cm tall at the shoulder and weighing between 180–270 kg (Saidu et al., 2022). Their compact bodies are adapted for navigating dense forests rather than open waterways. They possess smooth, hairless skin that secretes a natural mucus, acting as a protective barrier against dehydration and infection. This secretion has an unusual reddish tint, earning it the nickname “blood sweat,” though it has no connection to actual blood.

Unlike their gregarious relatives, Pygmy Hippos are solitary or found in pairs, with mothers keeping their calves hidden in secluded pools for extended periods. They are highly elusive and primarily active during twilight and nighttime hours. Camera traps in Liberia and Sierra Leone have shown that they move cautiously through forested wetlands, following well-worn trails that they mark with dung, a behaviour similar to that of their larger relatives.

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).

IUCN Red List

Ecosystem Role

Pygmy Hippos play a crucial role in maintaining the health of forest ecosystems. By foraging on vegetation and dispersing seeds, they contribute to forest regeneration and seed dispersal. Their movements create pathways through dense undergrowth, benefiting other species by increasing habitat accessibility. However, their shrinking populations threaten these ecological functions, highlighting the importance of conservation efforts.

Predators

Few natural predators pose a significant threat to adult Pygmy Hippos, though young individuals are vulnerable to Leopards Panthera pardus, African Rock Pythons (Python sebae), and Nile Crocodiles Crocodylus niloticus. Camera trap evidence has also captured predation by African Golden Cats Caracal aurata and African Civet in some regions. However, human activity remains their greatest existential threat.

Threats

The Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis is facing a severe population decline due to habitat destruction, hunting, and increasing human pressures. Their remaining forested habitats are rapidly disappearing, leaving isolated populations vulnerable to extinction.

1. Deforestation and Habitat Loss

West Africa’s rainforests have been devastated by large-scale deforestation, with over 90% of the Upper Guinea Forest already lost. Shifting agriculture is the primary driver, with forests cleared at an accelerating rate to make way for crops and livestock. Expanding commercial plantations, particularly oil palm, rubber, and coffee, continue to erode remaining habitat. Mining operations, road construction, and infrastructure development have further fragmented the landscape, even encroaching into protected areas like Taï and Sapo National Parks. As human settlements expand, Pygmy Hippos are forced into smaller and more fragmented patches of forest, increasing their vulnerability.

2. Hunting and the Bushmeat Trade

Pygmy Hippos are increasingly being hunted, both opportunistically and for commercial sale. While not traditionally a primary target, they are killed for bushmeat in rural areas where alternative protein sources are scarce. Reports indicate that in some regions, commercial bushmeat markets have placed additional pressure on their populations. Their skulls, bones, and other body parts are sometimes used in traditional African medicine and spiritual practices. Additionally, free-ranging domestic dogs are known to attack and kill Pygmy Hippos, particularly young or weakened individuals.

3. Habitat Fragmentation and Isolation

The destruction of forest corridors has left Pygmy Hippo populations increasingly isolated, reducing genetic diversity and increasing the risk of local extinction. As forested areas continue to shrink, the lack of connectivity between populations means that even those in protected areas face long-term viability challenges. Habitat fragmentation also makes Pygmy Hippos more vulnerable to hunting, as roads and human settlements provide easier access to once-remote areas.

4. Competition with Humans and Livestock

With human populations in their range doubling every 20–30 years, there is ever-increasing pressure on natural resources. Domestic cattle increasingly compete with Pygmy Hippos for access to water sources, particularly during dry seasons. In many areas, pastoralists illegally graze their livestock inside national parks and reserves, further degrading critical Pygmy Hippo habitat. This competition not only depletes available resources but also increases human-wildlife conflict, often leading to retaliatory killings of Pygmy Hippos.

5. Climate Change and Environmental Pressures

Rising temperatures and prolonged dry seasons are altering the Pygmy Hippo’s habitat, reducing wetland areas essential for their survival. Changes in vegetation due to shifting rainfall patterns may further limit the availability of preferred food sources, forcing Pygmy Hippos to travel greater distances in search of sustenance. As forests become drier, wildfires pose an additional threat, accelerating habitat destruction and making remaining populations even more vulnerable.

Diet

Pygmy Hippos are herbivorous, feeding primarily on forest vegetation. They consume ferns, tender roots, leaves, and fruit from various trees and plants. Research from Tiwai Island, Sierra Leone, identified key food sources, including sweet potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas), cacao (Theobroma cacao), okra (Hibiscus esculentus), and creeping vines such as Geophila obvallata. Unlike Common Hippos, they are less dependent on aquatic vegetation and do not graze extensively on grasses.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the reproductive behaviour of Pygmy Hippos in the wild. Captive studies indicate that they reach sexual maturity at around 4–5 years, with a gestation period of approximately 188 days (Lang, 1975; Tobler, 1991). Females typically give birth to a single calf, weighing between 4.5–6.2 kg. Unlike Common Hippos, Pygmy Hippos give birth on land, and calves are left hidden in secluded pools while their mothers forage (Galat-Luong, 1981).

Geographic Range

Historically, Pygmy Hippos ranged widely across West Africa, but their distribution has dramatically contracted. Today, they are found in fragmented populations in Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, primarily within protected areas such as Taï National Park and Sapo National Park (Ransom, Robinson & Collen, 2015). They prefer lowland tropical forests near rivers and swamps, where dense vegetation provides cover.

FAQs

1. How many Pygmy Hippopotamuses are left in the wild?

The exact population size of the Pygmy Hippopotamus is unknown due to their elusive nature and dense forest habitat, but estimates suggest fewer than 2,500 individuals remain in the wild. Their numbers are rapidly declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and human encroachment.

2. Why are Pygmy Hippos endangered?

Pygmy Hippos are endangered primarily due to deforestation, which has destroyed over 90% of the Upper Guinea Forest, their primary habitat. Additional threats include hunting for bushmeat, competition with livestock for water, and climate change, which is altering their wetland habitats.

3. How do Pygmy Hippos differ from Common Hippos?

Unlike their larger relatives, Pygmy Hippos are more terrestrial, reclusive, and nocturnal. They are about half the size of Common Hippos, lack the same level of aggression, and are adapted to life in dense forests rather than open rivers and lakes.

4. What do Pygmy Hippos eat?

Pygmy Hippos are herbivores, feeding on a variety of plants, ferns, fruits, and aquatic vegetation. Their diet consists of tender roots, leaves, fallen fruit, and occasionally cultivated crops like sweet potatoes, okra, and cassava.

5. Do Pygmy Hippos live in groups?

No, Pygmy Hippos are mostly solitary animals. They only come together for mating or when a mother is raising her calf. Unlike Common Hippos, they do not form large social groups.

6. Where can you find Pygmy Hippos?

They are found in the forests and swamps of West Africa, specifically in Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Guinea. Small, scattered populations may exist in protected areas like Taï National Park and Sapo National Park.

7. How do Pygmy Hippos mark their territory?

Pygmy Hippos use a unique method of territory marking by vigorously wagging their tail while defecating. This spreads their dung across trails and vegetation, signaling their presence to other individuals.

8. How long do Pygmy Hippos live?

In the wild, their lifespan is estimated to be around 30 years, while in captivity, they can live up to 40 years due to the absence of predators and consistent food availability.

9. Do Pygmy Hippos have predators?

Adult Pygmy Hippos have few natural predators due to their size, but young individuals are vulnerable to leopards, nile crocodiles, and African rock pythons. However, their greatest threat comes from human activities, including illegal poaching and habitat destruction.

10. Can Pygmy Hippos swim?

Yes, Pygmy Hippos are excellent swimmers and rely on water for hydration, temperature regulation, and protection from predators. However, they spend more time on land than Common Hippos and are well adapted to moving through dense forests.

11. Do Pygmy Hippos make sounds?

Pygmy Hippos communicate using a variety of sounds, including grunts, bellows, and squeaks. These vocalisations are used for warning others, mating calls, and communication between mothers and calves.

12. Are Pygmy Hippos aggressive?

Pygmy Hippos are not as aggressive as Common Hippos, but they are highly territorial and can be defensive if threatened. Their reclusive nature makes human encounters rare.

13. Are Pygmy Hippos good parents?

Yes, female Pygmy Hippos are very protective of their young. They hide their calves in dense vegetation or secluded pools while they forage, returning regularly to nurse them.

14. How do Pygmy Hippos reproduce?

Pygmy Hippos reach sexual maturity at around 3–5 years old. They have a gestation period of about six months, typically giving birth to a single calf. Twins are very rare.

15. How can we help save Pygmy Hippos?

The best way to help protect Pygmy Hippos is by supporting conservation efforts that focus on preserving their remaining rainforest habitat. Avoiding products linked to deforestation, such as palm oil, and supporting organisations working to stop illegal hunting and deforestation are crucial. Always choose products that are 100% palm oil-free to avoid contributing to biodiversity loss.

Take Action

The survival of Pygmy Hippos depends on urgent conservation action. Their habitat continues to vanish due to deforestation, mining, and agriculture. Individuals and organisations can help by:

• Boycotting palm oil to reduce habitat destruction.

• Supporting wildlife conservation efforts in West Africa, particularly initiatives that focus on habitat restoration and anti-poaching measures.

• Advocating for stronger enforcement of hunting bans and protection of remaining forest areas.

• Educating local communities on the importance of conserving Pygmy Hippos and providing alternative livelihoods to reduce hunting pressure.

Always choose products that are 100% palm oil-free to avoid contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Support the conservation of this species

Pygmy Hippo Foundation

Further Information

Avedik, A., & Clauss, M. (2023). Chewing, dentition and tooth wear in Hippopotamidae (Hippopotamus amphibius and Choeropsis liberiensis). PLOS ONE, 18(10), e0291825. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0291825

Eltringham, S. K. (1999). The Hippos: Natural History and Conservation. Academic Press. https://books.google.com.au/books/about/The_Hippos.html

Erazo-Mera, E., Younes, N., Horwood, P. F., Paris, D., Paris, M., & Murray, N. (2023). Forest loss during 2000–2019 in pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) habitats was driven by shifting agriculture. Environmental Conservation, 51(1), 55-63. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892923000310

Ransom, C, Robinson, P.T. & Collen, B. 2015. Choeropsis liberiensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T10032A18567171. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T10032A18567171.en. Downloaded on 15 February 2021

Saidu, J. B., Adewumi, A. A., Lameed, G. A., & Udo, A. J. (2022). Food preference of pygmy hippopotamus (Choeropsis liberiensis) in the Tiwai Island edge communities, South-Eastern Sierra Leone. Environtropica, 17, 014-026. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/386552939

Pygmy Hippopotamus Choeropsis liberiensis

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Palm Oil Detectives Feb 18, 2021

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Location: Colombia

The Blue-billed Curassow is endemic to Colombia, with remaining populations in the tropical forests of the Magdalena Valley, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the Serranía de San Lucas. These birds inhabit lowland humid forests and fragmented secondary woodlands, clinging to survival in one of the world’s most deforested biodiversity hotspots.

The endearing Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti is a unique bird of #Colombia currently classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List due to rapid habitat loss for multiple different cash crops and intense hunting pressures. Less than 2,500 mature individuals remain, with many subpopulations highly fragmented and isolated. A shy, ground-dwelling bird, Blue-billed Curassows plays an essential role in forest regeneration through #seeddispersal. But #timber, #meat, #goldmining, #coca plantations, and #palmoil agriculture have devoured more than 90% of their original range. Without urgent conservation action, this #bird faces imminent #extinction. Always choose products that are 100% #palmoilfree and go #vegan BoycottPalmOil, always #BoycottGold #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/4yd5AvFqxRM?si=WoGaoOWpW_ot4o3e

Stunning turkey-like #birds, blue-billed #Currasows 🪿🦜 are critically #endangered in #Colombia 🇨🇴 due to #PalmOil, illegal #Coca, soy and meat #deforestation. Help them and be #vegan 🥩🩸⛔️ #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/18/blue-billed-curassow-crax-alberti/

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A beautiful and colourful #bird 🦜🕊️ the blue-billed #Currasow of #Colombia faces a plethora of serious threats incl. illegal #GoldMining 🩸🔥⛔️ and #PalmOil. Help them when and #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/18/blue-billed-curassow-crax-alberti/

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Appearance and Behaviour

The Blue-billed Curassow is a striking, turkey-sized bird with glossy black plumage in males and a striking pale blue cere at the base of their bill, from which the species takes their name. Females are distinguished by their rufous-brown underparts and barred tails. Both sexes feature a curled crest of black feathers atop their heads, adding to their dramatic appearance (Shanahan, 2017).

They are shy and elusive birds, preferring to forage alone or in pairs along the forest floor. Observations in El Paujil Bird Reserve noted that they forage by scratching leaf litter for fallen fruit, seeds, invertebrates, shoots, and occasionally carrion or even terrestrial crabs (Urueña, 2008a; Melo et al., 2008). Roosting sites are usually located in tree foliage close to feeding areas and reused for several days (Hirschfeld, 2008).

Diet

The Blue-billed Curassow is an omnivore. Its diet is mainly composed of fruit and seeds, but it also consumes invertebrates such as insects, shoots, and occasionally carrion. A recent survey documented seed consumption from at least 15 plant species, as well as one record of terrestrial crab consumption (Urueña, 2008a; Quevedo et al., 2005).

Reproduction and Mating

Breeding occurs primarily in the dry season, with nests observed between December and March. However, studies in the El Paujil Bird Reserve noted a possible second breeding season from July to September (Urueña, 2008b). Clutches typically contain two to three eggs. As with other cracids, both parents may play a role in chick rearing. In the wild, families with chicks are typically observed during March through August (Cuervo & Salaman, 1999).

Geographic Range

Endemic to Colombia, the Blue-billed Curassow once roamed vast tracts of humid lowland forest throughout the northwestern Andes. Now, it persists only in fragmented patches across the Magdalena Valley, the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, and the Serranía de San Lucas (Valencia et al., 2023; IUCN, 2023).

Historically, over 90% of its potential range has been cleared or degraded due to deforestation for agriculture, coca plantations, and ranching (Melo et al., 2008). One GIS analysis estimated a 39% loss in potential distribution between 1986 and 2002 alone, with an annual deforestation rate of 2.4% (Melo et al., 2008).

Threats

• Deforestation for agriculture and livestock is the most significant threat to the survival of the Blue-billed Curassow. Almost 90% of their tropical forest habitat in northern Colombia has been cleared or severely degraded due to cattle ranching, rice cultivation, cotton production, palm oil, soy and coca plantations. These activities have fragmented the curassow’s range into isolated patches too small to support viable populations.

• The illegal pet trade and commercial hunting pose a grave threat. Curassows are hunted for meat and occasionally captured for the illegal pet trade. Surveys in Antioquia reported at least 57 individuals killed between 2002 and 2003, mostly during the breeding season, exacerbating their population decline (Melo et al., 2008). Hunting pressure remains high in rural communities surrounding the few remaining forest patches (Cabarcas et al., 2008).

• Political instability and post-conflict development have further imperilled the species. Ironically, decades of civil conflict prevented large-scale deforestation in some remote regions by limiting access to armed groups. However, peace agreements have led to rapid expansion of agriculture, mining, and logging into formerly inaccessible forests, especially in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Serranía de San Lucas—key strongholds for the species (Shanahan, 2017; Negret et al., 2017).

• Illegal gold mining and drug production have escalated forest destruction and brought with them roads, settlements, and deforestation. The 1996 gold rush in the Serranía de San Lucas resulted in widespread logging and land clearance for coca production. Subsequent government herbicide spraying has further damaged ecosystems essential for the curassow’s survival (Cuervo & Salaman, 1999; Melo et al., 2008).

• Habitat fragmentation has reduced the availability of forest patches larger than 3 km², which are considered the minimum size needed to support a viable population of Crax alberti (Melo et al., 2008). This has severely disrupted dispersal, gene flow, and nesting success.

• Infrastructure projects, such as highways, act as barriers between populations. For example, the Santa Marta-Riohacha Highway isolates birds in Tayrona National Park from those in the nearby Sierra Nevada foothills, reducing connectivity and increasing local extinction risks (Strewe et al., 2010).

• Low reproductive success in captivity threatens the future of ex-situ conservation. As of 2021, there were only 27 Blue-billed Curassows in Colombian zoos, most of them ageing. Only one male was actively breeding, making captive-breeding efforts challenging and precarious (Dueñas Flórez, 2021).

Take Action!

Help protect the Blue-billed Curassow by refusing to support deforestation-linked products and industries. Boycott palm oil, logging, and industrial meat farming, all of which fuel forest loss. Support indigenous-led conservation efforts in Colombia and ecotourism models that empower local communities while preserving habitat. Take action and use your wallet as a weapon! #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat

FAQs

How many Blue-billed Curassows are left in the wild?

According to the IUCN Red List, there are estimated to be between 150 and 700 individuals remaining in the wild (IUCN, 2023) they are tragically critically endangered. Other sources suggest the total may be as high as 2,500 mature individuals when including fragmented populations across different reserves and national parks.

What is the lifespan of a Blue-billed Curassow?

In the wild, the lifespan is not well documented due to their elusive nature, but it is thought to be around 15–20 years, similar to other large cracids. In captivity, individuals may live longer depending on conditions and veterinary care (Melo et al., 2008).

What are the predators of the Blue-billed Curassow?

Natural predators include large birds of prey and terrestrial mammals such as jaguars and ocelots. However, human hunting remains the dominant threat, particularly targeting adults during breeding season and young birds for food and captivity (Melo et al., 2008; Cabarcas et al., 2008).

Why is the Blue-billed Curassow critically endangered?

This species has suffered catastrophic declines due to habitat destruction, especially from logging, palm oil agriculture, coca plantations, and mining. Additionally, hunting for bushmeat and egg collection has further reduced population numbers. The fragmentation of remaining populations also increases their vulnerability to extinction (Valencia et al., 2023).

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

BirdLife International. 2018. Crax alberti (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22678525A127590617. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22678525A127590617.en. Downloaded on 18 February 2021.

Dueñas Flórez, M. (2021, August 27). Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti): Conservation efforts in Colombia. Association of Avian Veterinarians. https://www.aav.org/blogpost/1525799/375769/Blue-billed-Curassow-Crax-alberti–Conservation-efforts-in-Colombia

Melo, I., Ochoa-Quintero, J. M., López-Arévalo, H. F., & Velásquez-Sandino, P. (2008). Potential habitat loss and subsistence hunting of Blue-billed Curassow (Crax alberti), a Colombian critically endangered endemic bird. Caldasia, 30(1), 161–177.

Shanahan, M. (2017, November 2). Will the bird that dodged a bullet pay the price of peace? Mongabay. Retrieved from https://news.mongabay.com/2017/11/will-the-bird-that-dodged-a-bullet-pay-the-price-of-peace/

Valencia, I. F., Kattan, G. H., Valenzuela, L., Caro, L., Arbelaez, F., & Forero-Medina, G. (2023). Evaluation of alternative conservation strategies for the blue-billed curassow Crax alberti in the Middle Magdalena Valley, Colombia. Oryx, 57(2), 239–247. doi:10.1017/S0030605322000060

Blue-billed Curassow Crax alberti

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#Bird #birds #Birdsong #BlueBilledCurassowCraxAlberti #BoycottGold #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottGold #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #coca #Colombia #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #Currasow #Currasows #deforestation #endangered #extinction #ForgottenAnimals #goldmining #hunting #illegalPetTrade #meat #palmoil #palmoilfree #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #timber #vegan

Palm Oil Detectives Sep 10, 2021

African Forest Elephant Loxodonta cyclotis

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.

https://youtu.be/cldLHm2-pnQ

African Forest #Elephants are ecosystem engineers fighting #ClimateChange in #WestAfrica. Yet #poaching and #palmoil #deforestation have rendered them critically endangered 😿🐘 Help them and be #vegan #BoycottPalmOil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/09/11/african-forest-elephant-loxodonta-cyclotis/

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Supremely intelligent and sensitive African Forest #Elephants 🐘🩶 face several grave threats, incl. #PalmOil #Deforestation and #poaching in #Gabon 🇬🇦 #Congo 🇨🇩 #WestAfrica. Fight for them when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🔥🧐⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/09/11/african-forest-elephant-loxodonta-cyclotis/

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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.

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African Forest Elephants and Timber Concessions

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.

You can support this beautiful animal

Sheldrick Wildlife

Virunga National Park

Africa Conservation Foundation

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Further Information

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. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-91627-z

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. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T181007989A181019888.en. Downloaded on 08 June 2021.

Hedwig, D., & Kohlberg, A. (2024). Call combination in African forest elephants Loxodonta cyclotis. PLOS ONE. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0299656

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. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12305

African Forest Elephant Loxodonta cyclotis

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Palm Oil Detectives Jan 28, 2021

Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus siki

Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus siki

Red List Status: Critically Endangered

Location: Central Laos (east of Mekong River), Central Vietnam (Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri Provinces)

In the misty canopies of Southeast Asian forests, where ancient trees reach towards clouded peaks and dawn breaks with haunting melodies, Southern White-cheeked Gibbons swing through their rapidly shrinking world.

Southern White-cheeked #Gibbons stand among Southeast Asia’s most melodic #primates, their haunting territorial songs echoing through evergreen forests at dawn. These remarkable apes face an 80% population decline over three generations as #rubber plantations, agricultural expansion, and #hunting devastate their homeland. #Vietnam has lost 15% of its forest cover in just 15 years and could lose another 45% by 2050, while #Laos faces similar destruction. With fewer than 425 groups remaining in fragmented patches, these singing #apes teeter on #extinction’s edge. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Southern White-cheeked #Gibbons 🐒🐵 sing together in regional dialects 🪇🎶🎷 and live in #Cambodia #Laos #Vietnam. They’re critically #endangered on due to #rubber #palmoil #deforestation and hunting. Help them and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🚫 @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/29/southern-white-cheeked-gibbon-nomascus-siki/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons display striking sexual dimorphism that transforms with age. Juveniles begin life as light brown infants, turning black after weaning. Adult males remain jet black with distinctive white patches framing their mouths, while females develop rich brown colouring with delicate white facial edging. Their long, powerful arms span up to 1.5 metres, perfectly adapted for their brachiating lifestyle.

These gibbons begin each day with spectacular duet songs that can be heard up to 2 kilometres away. Mated pairs sing together to defend territories and strengthen bonds, their regional accents distinguishing different populations. Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are strictly arboreal, spending their entire lives in the canopy where they move with breathtaking grace and speed.

Diet

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are primarily frugivorous, spending 33% of their day feeding on diverse forest fruits that ripen throughout the year. They supplement their diet with tender leaves, young shoots, and flowers, occasionally capturing small prey like lizards or Finlayson’s squirrels. These gibbons provide a critical ecosystem service by being seed dispersers, carrying viable seeds in their digestive systems across vast territories before depositing them in new locations through their faeces. Their feeding activities help regenerate forest biodiversity across their 37.9-hectare home ranges.

Reproduction and Mating

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons form monogamous pairs that mate for life, raising their young together in tight family units. Females typically give birth to their first offspring between seven and eight years of age. Because raising young is extremely demanding, both parents share childcare duties, and mothers wait until their current offspring becomes relatively independent before having another infant. Families consist of two parents, a juvenile, and an infant at any given time. Young gibbons leave their parents’ territory once they reach maturity between three and six years of age.

Geographic Range

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons inhabit a restricted range in central Laos east of the Mekong River and central Vietnam’s mountainous provinces. Their historical distribution extended from the Nam Theun and Rao Nay rivers in the north to the Banghiang and Thach Han rivers in the south.

In Vietnam, populations are heavily fragmented and scattered, while in Laos populations of gibbons remain larger. Key populations survive in protected areas including Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area.

Threats

Timber, rubber and palm oil deforestation

Agricultural expansion converts primary forests into farmland and human settlements, destroying the tall broadleaf evergreen forests Southern White-cheeked Gibbons require for survival. Logging operations target luxury timber species, selectively removing the largest trees that provide crucial fruiting resources and nesting sites.

Rubber cultivation destroys the fruiting trees that sustain gibbon populations while fragmenting territories below viable thresholds for family groups. The conversion process typically involves clear-cutting entire forest sections, eliminating decades of ecological relationships in mere weeks. In Cambodia’s Virachey National Park, large areas have been cleared for rubber production in recent years, particularly along the eastern borders where gibbons once thrived.

Infrastructure development and roads

Infrastructure development opens previously inaccessible areas to human exploitation, bringing roads, settlements, and hunting pressure into formerly secure habitats. The fragmentation creates isolated forest patches too small to support viable gibbon populations, leading to local extinctions across their range. Agricultural conversion eliminates the continuous canopy connections these strictly arboreal primates need for movement and foraging.

Hunting and wildlife trade

Traditional medicine practitioners highly value Southern White-cheeked Gibbons for their body parts. Opportunistic hunting with firearms targets gibbons alongside other wildlife, often killing entire family groups when hunters encounter them.

The illegal pet trade tears infant gibbons from their families, condemning them to lives of isolation and psychological trauma in captivity. Local communities hunt gibbons for bushmeat, viewing them as readily available protein sources. Gun ownership and hunting access have increased significantly with infrastructure development, bringing previously secure populations within reach of hunters. The small group sizes and territorial nature of gibbon families make them particularly vulnerable to hunting pressure.

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Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop. Adopt a vegan lifestyle protecting both wild and farmed animals from agricultural expansion. Support indigenous-led protection recognising traditional forest guardianship. Refuse products containing rubber from deforested areas and demand supply chain transparency. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan

FAQs

What sounds do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons make?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are renowned for their spectacular dawn songs that can be heard up to 2 kilometres away through dense forest. Mated pairs perform elaborate duets combining whoops, hoots, and melodic phrases that last 15-30 minutes each morning. These territorial songs serve to defend their home ranges and strengthen pair bonds between mates. Each population has developed regional accents, with slight variations in song structure distinguishing different gibbon communities across their range. Males typically begin the duet with deep hooting calls, while females add higher-pitched, more complex phrases that create hauntingly beautiful harmonies echoing through the forest canopy.

How high can Southern White-cheeked Gibbons swing?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons are masterful brachiators, swinging through forest canopies 15-50 metres above the ground using their extremely long arms and powerful shoulder joints. They travel at speeds reaching 55 kilometres per hour through the canopy. Their incredible agility allows them to navigate dense forest canopies with extraordinary precision.

How long do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons live?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons can live 35-40 years. Young gibbons remain with their parents for 3-6 years, learning essential survival skills including territorial singing, foraging techniques, and canopy navigation.

Are Southern White-cheeked Gibbons dangerous to humans?

These gentle apes are primarily frugivorous and spend their time high in forest canopies, far from human activity. Their territorial behaviour is directed only towards other gibbon groups, not humans, and consists of vocal displays rather than physical aggression.

Do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons make good pets?

It is deeply cruel to keep these wild apes as pets. Southern White-cheeked Gibbons suffer extreme psychological trauma, loneliness, and early death in captivity. The illegal pet trade rips infant gibbons from their families, causing severe trauma while removing potential breeding individuals from critically endangered populations.

Captive Southern White-cheeked Gibbons often develop depression and aggression as they attempt to cope with social isolation and environmental deprivation. Legal ownership is prohibited under CITES Appendix I and national laws in both Vietnam and Laos.

Why do Southern White-cheeked Gibbons sing?

Southern White-cheeked Gibbons sing elaborate duets to defend their territories, strengthen pair bonds, and communicate with neighbouring families across the forest landscape. These dawn songs serve as acoustic boundaries, informing other gibbon groups about occupied territories and preventing potentially dangerous physical confrontations. Mated pairs coordinate their duets to demonstrate their strong partnership and reproductive fitness to potential rivals. The songs also help family members locate each other in dense forest canopies and may serve to teach young gibbons proper vocal techniques essential for establishing their own territories. Regional variations in song structure function like dialects, allowing gibbons to identify members of their local population versus strangers from distant areas.

Further Information

Can, D. N., Trai, L. T., Ninh, L. V., Hieu, T. D., Nghia, H. V., Mai, T. T., & Tu, L. N. (2020). The status of southern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus siki) in Truong Son key biodiversity area. Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology, 42(1), 31-42.

Endangered Primate Rescue Centre

Nguyen, M.H., Coudrat, C.N.Z., Roos, C., Rawson, B.M. & Duckworth, J.W. 2020. Nomascus siki. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T39896A17968765. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T39896A17968765.en. Downloaded on 28 January 2021.

Southern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus siki) in Nakai-Nam Theun National Protected Area, Lao PDR. Conservation and Science Report, Northeast Primate Conservancy.

Southern White-cheeked Gibbon Nomascus siki

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#Agriculture #Ape #apes #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Cambodia #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #deforestation #endangered #extinction #frugivore #Gibbon #Gibbons #hunting #illegalPetTrade #infrastructure #Laos #Mammal #palmoil #petTrade #Primate #primates #roads #rubber #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #song #SouthernWhiteCheekedGibbonNomascusSiki #vegan #Vietnam

Palm Oil Detectives May 25, 2024

Magnificent Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus magnificus

Magnificent Bird of Paradise Cicinnurus magnificus

Extant (resident)

West Papua, Papua New Guinea

Discover the Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise Cicinnurus magnificus, a dazzling and theatrical bird living in New Guinea’s hills and forests. Males are known for their vibrant appearance and elaborate courtship dances. These birds are natural treasures, highlighting the sublime diversity found deep within rainforest ecosystems. Although they are listed as “Least Concern” these birds have not been monitored for a long time and rapid destruction of their rainforest home for #palmoil and #timber is a looming threat to their survival. Help them and fight back against their extinction every time you shop #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

https://youtu.be/kEoKKxPyKt8

The dazzling Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise 🌈💫 earn their name from male birds’ mating dances for females 🥁🎷🕊️ Help them to survive #palmoil and #mining #deforestation in #WestPapua and #NewGuinea and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2024/05/26/magnificent-bird-of-paradise-cicinnurus-magnificus/

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Hidden in the dark lush depths of #Papuan #forests, Magnificent #birds of paradise live up to their names with males’ elaborate dancing like skilled ballerinas. Don’t let the forests go silent, #Boycottpalmoil #BoycottGold #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2024/05/26/magnificent-bird-of-paradise-cicinnurus-magnificus/

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Although this animal was previously recorded on IUCN Red List as being ‘Least Concern’ 100,000’s of hectares of rainforest have since disappeared for palm oil – meaning that this classification will likely change. These birds are most likely going to be upgraded to ‘vulnerable’ or ‘endangered’ due to massive deforestation of their range and hunting pressures.

Appearance & Behaviour

A dazzling and vivid spectacle in the treetops

The Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise leads an intriguing life, predominantly solitary and active during the day. These birds skillfully navigate the forest canopy, on a constant quest for food. Their diet is a vibrant mix of ripe fruits, enhanced by an occasional feast of insects, arthropods, and other tiny creatures hidden in bark and lichens. Adding a dash of excitement to their routine, outside of breeding season, they often join eclectic foraging flocks. This avian gathering isn’t just limited to their own kind but extends to include a kaleidoscope of species, such as the dazzling sunbirds and other fruit-loving birds, creating a vivid spectacle in the treetops.

Male Characteristics

Males of the species Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, with their average body length of 19 cm extending to 26 cm including tail, and weighing around 190 grams, are known for their vivid plumage. Their upper-parts display a rich blend of dark carmine, black, and white iridescence, while their lower backs and rumps are dark brownish-olive with a white sheen. Their tails features unique green-blue iridescent sickle-shaped rectrices. Their underside is dominated by a glossy dark green breast shield with turquoise to cobalt-blue tips. Their heads are adorned with olive-brown and reddish-brown feathers. Their striking appearance is completed with a pale grey-blue bill, dark brown eyes, and blue legs and feet.

Female Characteristics

Contrasting to the male, the female Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise, also 19 cm long but lighter at 128 grams, exhibits a more subdued colour palette. Her plumage is primarily olive-brown to reddish-brown on the upperparts and whitish buff with dark brown barring on the underparts. The female’s head is marked by a thin line of pale blue skin behind the eye, and her olive-brown chin blends into a whitish, flecked throat. Unlike the male, her tail is longer but lacks the distinctive sickle-shaped rectrices. The bill is duller and paler than the male’s, complementing her overall muted appearance.

Threats

The Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise faces significant threats that are suspected to be causing a decline in their population. The exact size of their population remains unknown, but their ecosystem in West Papua is rapidly declining due to deforestation:

Habitat Loss: Large-scale deforestation for palm oil production and timber extraction across their range significantly reduces their natural habitat.
Hunting: The species experiences high levels of hunting, adding to the pressure on their survival.

Help these animals by raising awareness of their plight and joining the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and every time you shop in the supermarket.

Habitat

The Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise primarily resides in the forested mountain regions of New Guinea, often found in the upper canopy of rainforests. Interestingly, they are also known to venture into abandoned gardens in villages and smaller cities. Typically, these birds inhabit areas up to 1,780 metres in elevation, but they are most frequently observed at altitudes around 1,400 metres.

Diet

These birds like others in the Paradisaeidae family primarily feed on fruits. However, they also consume insects such as beetles and crickets.

Mating calls

The Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise communicates through a variety of calls, each serving a unique purpose. Males perform advertising songs that include a strident “ca cru cru cru,” a loud and clear “car” or “cre,” and a hoarse “caaat ca ca ca.” During courtship, they emit plaintive “churrs,” a single metallic “kyong,” and a sharp “kyerng,” along with a scolding series of “ksss-kss-ks-ks-ks-kss” sounds. Additionally, when disturbed, they produce low clucking notes. The courtship displays are further enriched with various calls, such as low, rhythmic, hard clicking or buzzing sounds. Notably, adult males can also create audible rattling or clacking sounds during flight.

Courtship dancing and display

The male Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise engages in a unique and elaborate courtship display. Perched on a sapling, he meticulously maintains his court, ensuring it remains clear of debris. When a female arrives, he performs an intricate dance, leaning backwards to a near-perpendicular position against the sapling, raising his yellow mantle cape, and showcasing his iridescent breast shield and sickle-shaped tail. This display, though seemingly comical, attracts the attention of multiple females. However, competition is fierce; if a male is close to mating, other females may intervene, disrupting the process and delaying further displays. Males prepare and fiercely defend their courts, removing leaves and debris for better visibility and to enhance their displays. These courts, often on steep slopes beneath canopy gaps, become the stage for their intricate dance involving four phases: the Back Display, Breast Display, Cape Display, and Dancing Display, each highlighting different aspects of the male’s plumage.

Breeding and parenting behaviours

In contrast to the males’ flamboyant displays, female Magnificent Birds-of-Paradise take on all parental responsibilities. They build nests in the canopy, usually in Pandanus crowns or dense foliage, using mosses, leaves, and sometimes mammal fur. The breeding season peaks between July and February, but displays may occur year-round. Females lay one or two creamy-white eggs, incubating them for about 18-19 days. Chicks fledge around 30 days after hatching, with young males sometimes lingering longer. Females reach sexual maturity at about one year, while males, requiring full adult plumage, mature between three and six years. Despite threats like habitat loss and hunting for their tail feathers, the Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise is currently classified as Least Concern, though its population is suspected to be declining.

Support the Magnificent Bird of Paradise by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2018. Cicinnurus magnificus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22706199A130411682. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22706199A130411682.en. Accessed on 23 February 2023.

Magnificent bird-of-paradise Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnificent_bird-of-paradise

Magnificent bird-of-paradise Animalia.bio: https://animalia.bio/magnificent-bird-of-paradise

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#animals #Avian #Bird #BirdOfParadise #birds #Birdsong #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottGold #BoycottPalmOil #bushmeat #deforestation #forests #ForgottenAnimals #hunting #MagnificentBirdOfParadiseCicinnurusMagnificus #mining #NewGuinea #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #Papua #PapuaNewGuinea #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #Papuan #poaching #SeedDispersers #song #songbird #songbirds #timber #VulnerableSpecies #WestPapua #WestPapua

Palm Oil Detectives Jan 19, 2021

Sumatran Elephant Elephas maximus sumatranus

Sumatran Elephant Elephas maximus sumatranus

Critically Endangered

Population: 2,400 – 2,800

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-BdEF0EBng

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5olrnYKT4Q

Sumatran #Elephants are rapidly disappearing 🐘🐘💀 critically endangered in #Sumatra #Indonesia due to #palmoil #deforestation and #poaching. Help them to survive when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🤮☠️⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/19/sumatran-elephant-elephas-maximus-sumatranus/

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Lighter coloured than other #pachyderms, Sumatran #Elephants deserve to live in freedom. They’re 🐘💀 critically endangered in #Indonesia 🇮🇩 due to #palmoil #deforestation and #poaching. #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🤮☠️⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/19/sumatran-elephant-elephas-maximus-sumatranus/

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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.

Spotlight on Sumatran Elephants – Craig Jones Wildlife Photography

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

Sumatran Elephant Conservation Initiative e.V.

Way Kambas National Park Sumatra

Further Information

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. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2011-2.RLTS.T199856A9129626.en. 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 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/369190606

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 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334776259

BBC Earth. (2020). Sumatran Elephant: Project Hope. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/28hWyXFGHPhm20nTVG4pT0n/sumatran-elephant

Wikipedia contributors. (2023). Sumatran elephant. In Wikipedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sumatran_elephant

Sumatran Elephant Elephas maximus sumatranus

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Palm Oil Detectives Oct 29, 2021

Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix

Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix

IUCN Red List Status: Vulnerable

Location: Indonesia (Sulawesi, Lembeh, Togian Islands, Muna, Butung) This vibrant, charismatic species is found only on the island of Sulawesi and its offshore islands in Indonesia. It inhabits lowland and montane rainforest ecosystems up to 1,800 metres above sea level, especially thriving in evergreen and tall primary forests.

Introduction

The Knobbed #Hornbills Rhyticeros cassidix announce themselves in gorgeous swirls of colourful feathers and beaks. They are currently listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List in #Sulawesi #Indonesia due to rapidly accelerating #palmoil and #timber #deforestation, #hunting, and habitat degradation across Sulawesi. Despite being relatively common in some areas, this iconic #hornbill is suffering from extensive loss of lowland forest, fires, gold #mining concessions, and encroachment from palm oil plantations. As a seed-dispersing frugivore with unique breeding requirements, their survival is intrinsically linked to the preservation of large, undisturbed forest tracts. Their dramatic decline underscores the urgent need to halt industrial land use in Sulawesi’s remaining rainforest. Use your power as a consumer to #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife every time you shop.

https://youtu.be/_NVf1deSzDk

Knobbed Hornbills 🦜🌈 are stunning rainbow coloured #birds endemic to #Sulawesi #Indonesia. They are #vulnerable from #palmoil #deforestation and #hunting. Help them survive when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🩸☠️🧐🚫#Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/10/30/knobbed-hornbill-rhyticeros-cassidix/

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Knobbed #Hornbills 🦜🌈 need tree hollows to nest These intelligent #birds living in #Sulawesi #Indonesia are #vulnerable from #palmoil #ecocide and #poaching. Fight for them when you shop #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔🩸☠️🧐🚫#Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/10/30/knobbed-hornbill-rhyticeros-cassidix/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Strikingly adorned with a large casque and vivid red-orange bill, the Knobbed Hornbill is unmistakable. Males have a prominent casque or ‘knob’ atop their bill and an unfeathered blue throat, while females sport an all-black plumage with a pale blue throat and lack the enlarged casque. Their broad wings and swooping flight pattern make them a spectacular sight to behold against the dense forest canopy.

These hornbills are highly vocal, using deep guttural calls to communicate across the forest. Pairs form long-term monogamous bonds and are typically seen together or in small family groups. Knobbed Hornbills are known for their territoriality and their habit of chasing off other birds and primates at fruiting trees, underlining their dominance within the rainforest canopy. Their daily routine includes long flights to feeding sites, often crossing fragmented landscapes to reach fruiting trees.

Diet

Primarily frugivorous, Knobbed Hornbills play a vital role in seed dispersal across Sulawesi’s ecosystems. They are particularly reliant on fig trees (Ficus spp.), which are a keystone food source for many tropical species. In addition to figs, they consume a wide variety of fruits, and are known to supplement their diet with insects, small reptiles, bird eggs, and even nestlings. Their foraging involves both perching and in-flight plucking of fruit, often from the upper canopy.

Their dependence on large-fruiting trees ties them ecologically to primary rainforest, making them especially vulnerable to habitat disturbance and deforestation. The decline of fig populations through forest clearing and degradation directly threatens their long-term food security.

Reproduction and Mating

Knobbed Hornbills nest in natural tree cavities high in the forest canopy, typically between 13 and 53 metres above ground level. Breeding depends on the availability of very large, old-growth trees—many of which are targeted for logging. The female seals herself inside the nest cavity with mud and regurgitated food, leaving only a small slit through which the male passes food during the entire incubation and chick-rearing period.

This remarkable nesting behaviour, while effective in predator avoidance, renders the female and chick completely reliant on the male’s continued presence and food provisioning. Any disturbance or death of the male during this time is likely to result in nest failure. Following hatching, the female remains sealed for several more weeks before emerging with the young chick.

Geographic Range

This species is endemic to Sulawesi and nearby islands including Lembeh, Togian, Muna and Butung in Indonesia. Historically widespread across Sulawesi’s forests, the Knobbed Hornbill is now increasingly confined to fragmented tracts of habitat due to extensive logging and agricultural conversion.

Although still described as locally common in less-disturbed areas, population declines of these hornbills have been recorded across its entire range. Many protected areas are poorly enforced, and forests in lowland Sulawesi have experienced staggering losses. Between 1985 and 1997, 89% of lowland forests were lost, and forest loss has only accelerated since then (FWI/GFW, 2002; Holmes, 2002).

Threats

Recent analysis has suggested that the Knobbed Hornbill may be declining at a rate approaching 40% over three generations based on recent and ongoing rates of habitat loss on Sulawesi (D. Holmes in litt. 1999, Kinnaird and O’Brien 2007).

IUCN red list

Palm Oil Deforestation

Sulawesi’s forests have been devastated by large-scale agricultural expansion, especially for oil palm and rice fields. Between 1997–2001 alone, forest loss accelerated to 36.1% per decade, wiping out vital hornbill habitat (Kinnaird & O’Brien, 2007). The hornbill’s strong dependency on large trees for nesting makes them acutely vulnerable to such losses.

Commercial Logging and Mining

Logging, both legal and illegal, has fragmented their habitat, making nesting success increasingly difficult. Additionally, gold mining operations in regions like Buton have destroyed critical tracts of primary forest, adding chemical and noise pollution to the ecosystem (Hamzah et al., 2023).

Fire and Climate Impacts

Severe fires, such as those in 1997, have reduced breeding success in subsequent years by decimating fig-bearing trees and altering microclimates within the forest (del Hoyo et al., 2001). Increasing climate instability will likely worsen fire frequency and intensity in coming decades.

Illegal Hunting for Bushmeat and their Casques

Hornbills are hunted for bushmeat and their casques are sometimes sold as ornaments. Although technically protected, enforcement is weak and hunting continues even within protected forests, especially near roads and settlements (Winarni & Jones, 2011).

Take Action!

Protecting the Knobbed Hornbill means safeguarding Sulawesi’s last remaining primary forests. You can help:

Boycott palm oil and use your wallet as a weapon every time you shop.
Support indigenous-led conservation on Sulawesi that focuses on protecting forest corridors and nesting trees.
Pressure governments and companies to halt destructive mining and logging activities in Sulawesi.
Make sure you don’t purchase goods made from hornbill and campaign against the deeply cruel illegal wildlife trade.
Advocate for hornbill-safe agroecology and forest-friendly livelihoods in Indonesia.

FAQs

How many Knobbed Hornbills are left in the wild?

While no definitive census exists, the population is believed to be rapidly declining across Sulawesi, with many formerly common areas now devoid of breeding pairs. Fragmentation has isolated populations and reduced breeding success due to lack of nesting trees (Winarni & Jones, 2011).

How long do Knobbed Hornbills live?

In the wild, hornbills can live up to 30 years, with some individuals in captivity recorded beyond that. However, successful reproduction in the wild depends on stable territory, availability of fig trees, and access to nesting sites—conditions that are increasingly rare in Sulawesi’s degraded forests (Kinnaird & O’Brien, 2005).

Why are hornbills important to the rainforest?

Knobbed Hornbills are critical seed dispersers. Their diet of large fruits like figs means they spread the seeds of keystone species far and wide. Without hornbills, seed dispersal and rainforest regeneration slows, threatening the entire ecosystem (Kitamura et al., 2011).

What role does palm oil play in their decline?

Palm oil plantations are one of the biggest drivers of forest loss in Sulawesi. These monocultures replace biodiverse ecosystems with sterile landscapes, eliminating food sources, nesting trees, and pushing hornbills toward extinction. Avoiding palm oil is essential to saving this species.

You can support this beautiful animal

There are no known conservation activities for this animal. Share out this post to social media and join the #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife on social media to raise awareness

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2017. Rhyticeros cassidix (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22682525A117182222. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22682525A117182222.en. Downloaded on 08 June 2021.

Hamzah, A. S., Nasri, N., & Ardiansyah, A. (2023). Status, diversity, and feeding guilds of avifauna in the mining area. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1277, 012036. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1277/1/012036

Martin, T. E., & Blackburn, G. A. (2010). Impacts of tropical forest disturbance upon avifauna on a small island with high endemism: implications for conservation. Conservation and Society, 8(2), 127–139. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-4923.68914

Viseshakul, N., Charoennitikul, W., Kitamura, S., Kemp, A., Thong-aree, S., Surapunpitak, Y., Poonswad, P., & Ponglikitmongkol, M. (2011). A phylogeny of frugivorous hornbills linked to the evolution of Indian plants within Asian rainforests. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 24(7), 1533–1545. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2011.02285.x

Winarni, N. L., & Jones, M. (2011). Effect of anthropogenic disturbance on the abundance and habitat occupancy of two endemic hornbill species in Buton Island, Sulawesi. Bird Conservation International, 21(1), 28–36. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959270911000141

Knobbed Hornbill Rhyticeros cassidix

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#Bird #birds #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #ecocide #fire #fires #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #Hornbill #Hornbills #hunting #Indonesia #KnobbedHornbillRhyticerosCassidix #mining #palmoil #poachers #poaching #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #SouthEastAsia #Sulawesi #timber #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies

Palm Oil Detectives Nov 22, 2022

Do humans really need other species?

Do humans need other #species? Yes! millions of organisms are needed to keep #ecosystems in balance and ensure everyone can survive. Most importantly, #research shows other species make us happy! Be 🐱🐷🐎🐕🐠 #Vegan for the animals 🍅🥦 #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Do humans need other #species? Yes! millions of organisms are needed to keep #ecosystems in balance and ensure everyone can survive. Most importantly, #research shows other species make us happy! 🐱🐷🐎🐕🐠 #Vegan for the animals 🍅🥦 #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/11/23/do-humans-really-need-other-species/

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1. Humans are happier around other species

Research shows that people are healthier and more content when they are around other species of plants and animals. They need to experience the sights, sounds, smells, feel and taste of other organisms for mental and physical health. This drive is called “biophilia,” meaning love of living things.

For example, seeing and hearing birds creates positive feelings. Two recent studies in Canada and Germany found that the more species of birds in a neighborhood, the happier people are. This may be due to experiencing the birds themselves, or due to a healthy environment, as indicated by the presence of birds

[Pictured] Painting of a Vogelkop Superb Bird of Paradise in Papua New Guinea by Szabolcs Kókay

In a different Canadian experiment, researchers played birdsong from hidden speakers along hiking trails. People reported that they felt more restored and were more satisfied about the hike when they heard a diversity of birds species than when they heard few or none.

Today, more than half the world’s population lives in cities instead of the countryside. So urban planners and landscape architects are exploring ways to include more green spaces and green infrastructure in cities.

Research shows that when a city has diverse wildlife, ample open green space and vegetation along streets and on buildings, people are more active, less stressed, healthier and happier. These conditions provide opportunities for people to experience and interact with other organisms, as well as benefit from the other things that plants, animals and microbes do to make the environment healthy and pleasant.

Curious by Mustafa Ozturk on Getty Imageswoman on a wildlife viewing trek by Blue Orange Studios on Getty Images

Scientists now know that it takes thousands of species to support human life. Yet we are only just beginning to understand the important roles different species play in ecosystems, including urban ones. We still need to learn much more about why and how other species are necessary for human survival. And if people are to successfully travel for long periods in space or establish space colonies, we will have to understand what species we need to take along with us to survive and prosper.

2. Humans need other species to produce food

First, without other species people would have nothing to eat.

Humans and all organisms require food for energy and the materials to build their bodies and reproduce. Only some microorganisms and plants have a way to use energy from sunlight, water and carbon dioxide to make the basic molecules that provide that food. This process is called photosynthesis.

Without these organisms, humans wouldn’t have food to eat. Almost everything we eat is either a plant or other photosynthetic organism.

Algae salad by Lunamarina for Getty Images

Chemists have discovered ways to use various sources of energy to make molecules that could be used for food. Molecules produced this way are called “synthetic.” However, these processes are so difficult and expensive that it is currently impossible to feed people with these synthetic foods.

Production of synthetic food using genetically modified bacteria or cultured cell lines is growing in importance. In the future, the human diet may become a little less dependent on consuming plants and animals. Still, living organisms will remain a core component of these foods.

Adopting vegan diet ensures that wild animals have the best chance for survival. It also means you are not contributing to an unbearably cruel global industry.

It takes countless different organisms – big, small and microscopic – to create healthy soil and breathable air. To break down and recycle waste. To purify water and prevent erosion. To break down toxic chemicals into harmless forms, and convert other chemicals into sources of nourishment that other organisms need to grow and thrive.

And many of our food plants – over 1,200 species – depend on pollinators to produce the fruit or seed that humans and other animals eat. Pollination, the process that allows plants to reproduce, happens when animals carry pollen from one plant to another. Bees are the main pollinators, but many other insects, birds, bats and other animals also transport pollen between plants.

Birds and other animals fertilize plants by transporting pollen between them – enabling them to produce fruits and seeds that humans eat. krisanapong detraphiphat/Moment via Getty Images

Animals of all sizes, from tiny ants to enormous elephants, also move seeds, spreading plants that make for healthy and productive ecosystems. Diverse species, from tiny microbes to huge vultures and sharks, break down dead organisms into chemicals that can be used to grow more food.

The number of species that contribute to creating each bite of the average meal is mind-boggling.

3. Human bodies need other species to stay healthy

Many functions of the human body itself rely on a complex and highly diverse ecosystem of microbial species that live on the skin and in the respiratory, digestive and reproductive systems. These bacteria, fungi and other microbes are called a “microbiome.”

Each person has a unique personal microbiome to protect against infection, digest and extract nutrients in food and synthesize vitamins.

For example, the gut microbiome is important for breaking down food into usable energy and nutrients, and converting other indigestible or toxic substances into forms that can be excreted.

This microbiome changes over people’s lifetimes based on what they eat, what’s around them, where they live and how healthy they are. In fact, human bodies are made up of more bacterial cells than human cells.

Diet and drugs strongly affect the 300 to 500 bacteria species that are the core of a healthy gut ecosystem.

The microbiome also plays an important role in preventing infection. Many diseases are associated with microbial communities that are dominated by just a few species. Some physicians transplant poop from healthy to ill people to establish a healthy community of microbes and hopefully cure the disease.

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Palm Oil Detectives Aug 27, 2021

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

Red List Status: Endangered

Locations: North-eastern Amazon, Brazil (specifically from the Tocantins River in Pará east to around the Grajaú River in Maranhão)

Beneath the towering canopy of the Amazon’s north-eastern forests, the Black Bearded Saki moves with quiet purpose, their distinctive shaggy beard and robust body a testament to their resilience in a world under siege. The air is thick with the scent of damp earth and the distant calls of unseen creatures, but the forest is changing—#roads, #dams, and #agriculture are carving scars across the landscape, fragmenting the Black Bearded Saki’s ancestral home. The black bearded saki’s survival is threatened by relentless deforestation and hunting, their fate bound to the fate of the forest—fight for their survival every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

https://youtu.be/Cjh19F9Ux9o

Black Bearded #Sakis are #endangered large #monkeys 🐒 endemic to #Brazil 🇧🇷 #SouthAmerica they are #endangered by #timber #palmoil #hydroelectric dam #deforestation. Help save them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🩸🔥🙊⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/08/28/black-bearded-saki-chiropotes-satanas/

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Appearance and Behaviour

Black bearded sakis are medium-sized primates, their bodies draped in thick, dark fur and their faces framed by a distinctive, flowing beard. Adults typically measure around 50 centimetres in length, with a tail nearly as long as their body, and weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 kilograms. Their robust build and strong limbs allow them to move with surprising agility through the upper canopy, where they spend most of their lives. The black bearded saki’s most remarkable feature is their powerful jaw and specialised teeth, which enable them to crack open the hard shells of unripe fruits to reach the nutritious seeds inside. This adaptation makes them one of the most efficient seed predators and seed dispersers in the Amazon, and their foraging habits play a vital role in shaping the forest ecosystem.

Black bearded sakis live in groups of up to 40 individuals, though smaller groups are more common. They are highly social, with strong bonds between group members, and communicate through a variety of vocalisations, including chirps, whistles, and alarm calls. Their days are spent foraging, resting, and moving through the canopy, rarely descending to the forest floor. The black bearded saki’s presence is often marked by the sound of falling fruit and the rustle of leaves as they leap from branch to branch.

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanasBlack Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanasBlack Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

Threats

The greatest risks for the future survival of the Black Bearded Saki, also known as the Black Cuxiú are the loss and fragmentation of their habitat and hunting pressure.

IUCN Red list

Palm oil, meat, and soy deforestation

The black bearded saki is classified as Endangered on the Red List, with the loss and fragmentation of their forest habitat the primary threat to their survival. In the north-eastern Amazon, large-scale infrastructure projects—such as highways and the Tucurúi Dam—have destroyed vast tracts of forest, while smaller-scale logging and agriculture continue to fragment the remaining habitat. The forest, once a living, breathing entity, is being replaced by roads, fields, and settlements, leaving only isolated patches where the black bearded saki can survive. This fragmentation isolates populations, reduces genetic diversity, and increases the risk of disease and local extinction. The black bearded saki’s ability to adapt to habitat loss is limited, and their long-term survival depends on the protection and restoration of connected forest landscapes.

Hunting and poaching

Hunting for bushmeat is a persistent threat to the black bearded saki, with individuals targeted for their meat and, in some cases, their tails, which are used as dusters. The influx of people into previously uninhabited areas of the Amazon has increased hunting pressure, and the loss of habitat makes sakis more vulnerable to capture. Hunting disrupts social groups, reduces population numbers, and threatens the genetic health of remaining populations. The black bearded saki is already locally extinct in much of its original range, and continued hunting could push them closer to extinction.

Habitat fragmentation and climate change

The fragmentation of the Amazon’s forests has profound effects on the black bearded saki. Small, isolated forest patches limit the availability of food and mates, and groups living in these fragments often show reduced movement and vocalisation, as well as increased resting. Population densities in small fragments can increase, leading to higher rates of disease and parasite transmission. Climate change adds further pressure, altering rainfall patterns and the availability of key food sources. The black bearded saki’s world is becoming hotter, drier, and less predictable, with the forests they depend on shrinking year by year.

Diet

Black bearded sakis are among the most specialised seed dispersers in the Amazon, with seeds making up the majority of their diet. They spend at least 75% of their feeding time consuming seeds from more than 50 different fruit species, using their powerful jaws and specialised teeth to crack open hard-shelled fruits that few other animals can access. Their diet also includes ripe fruit, flowers, leaf stalks, and arthropods such as caterpillars, termites, and gall wasps. The black bearded saki’s foraging habits are closely tied to the seasonal availability of fruit, with peak feeding activity during the rainy season when many trees are fruiting. Their role as seed predators helps shape the composition of the forest, and their ability to exploit hard-shelled fruits gives them a unique niche in the ecosystem.

Reproduction and Mating

Little is known about the reproductive habits of black bearded sakis in the wild, but observations in captivity and from related species suggest that births occur at the beginning of the rainy season, typically in December or January. Gestation is estimated to last four to five months, and females give birth to a single infant. The mother is the primary caregiver, nursing and carrying her young until the infant is weaned at around three months of age. After weaning, infants remain close to their mothers for protection, and strong social bonds within the group help ensure the survival of young sakis. The reproductive success of black bearded sakis is closely tied to the availability of food and the stability of their forest home.

Geographic Range

The black bearded saki is endemic to the far eastern Amazon in Brazil, with a range restricted to a relatively small region from the Tocantins River in Pará east to around the Grajaú River in Maranhão. They inhabit primary terra firme forests and, occasionally, regenerating forests, rarely descending to the forest floor. The natural home range of a black bearded saki group can vary from 200 to 250 hectares, but habitat loss and fragmentation have reduced the size and connectivity of these ranges. The black bearded saki is already locally extinct in much of its original range, and the remaining populations are increasingly isolated and vulnerable.

FAQs

How many black bearded sakis are left?

Estimates suggest that fewer than 2,500 mature black bearded sakis remain in the wild, with populations continuing to decline due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting. The species is already locally extinct in much of its original range, and the remaining individuals are scattered across increasingly isolated forest fragments.

What are the characteristics of the black bearded saki?

The black bearded saki is a medium-sized primate with thick, dark fur and a distinctive, flowing beard. Adults typically measure around 50 centimetres in length, with a tail nearly as long as their body, and weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 kilograms. They are highly specialised seed predators, with powerful jaws and unique dentition that allow them to crack open hard-shelled fruits. Black bearded sakis live in social groups, communicate through a variety of vocalisations, and spend most of their lives in the upper canopy.

What do black bearded saki eat?

Black bearded sakis are highly specialised seed predators, with seeds making up the vast majority of their diet. They spend at least 75% of their feeding time consuming seeds from more than 50 different fruit species, using their robust jaws and specialised teeth to crack open hard-shelled fruits that many other animals cannot access. Their diet also includes fleshy fruits and, to a lesser extent, insects. They are particularly fond of plants from the Sapotaceae, Lecythidaceae, and Chrysobalanaceae families. This dietary flexibility allows black bearded sakis to adapt to changing forest conditions, but their reliance on certain tree species makes them vulnerable to habitat loss and selective logging.

Is the black bearded saki a monkey?

Yes, the black bearded saki is a monkey—specifically, a New World monkey native to the Amazon rainforest. Unlike apes, monkeys have tails, and the black bearded saki’s long, muscular tail helps them balance as they move through the trees. They are part of the bearded saki group, known for their robust build, thick fur, and specialised feeding habits.

What are the main threats to the survival of the black bearded saki?

The main threats to the survival of the black bearded saki are habitat loss and fragmentation caused by infrastructure projects, logging, and agriculture, as well as hunting for bushmeat. The loss of forest isolates populations, reduces genetic diversity, and increases the risk of disease and local extinction. Hunting further reduces population numbers and disrupts social groups.

How does habitat fragmentation affect the black bearded saki?

Habitat fragmentation isolates black bearded saki groups, reducing the availability of food and mates and increasing the risk of disease. Groups living in small, isolated forest patches often show reduced movement and vocalisation, as well as increased resting. Population densities in small fragments can increase, leading to higher rates of disease and parasite transmission. The black bearded saki’s ability to adapt to habitat loss is limited, and their long-term survival depends on the protection and restoration of connected forest landscapes.

Do black bearded sakis make good pets?

Black bearded sakis do not make good pets. Captivity causes extreme stress, loneliness, and early death for these highly social, intelligent primates. The pet trade and hunting for bushmeat rip families apart and fuel extinction, as infants are stolen from their mothers and forced into unnatural, impoverished conditions. Protecting black bearded sakis means rejecting the illegal pet trade and supporting their right to live wild and free in their forest home.

Where do bearded sakis live?

Bearded sakis, including the black bearded saki, are endemic to the Amazon rainforest in South America. The black bearded saki specifically inhabits a small region in north-eastern Brazil, from the Tocantins River in Pará east to the Grajaú River in Maranhão. They prefer primary tropical rainforests with dense, continuous canopies, which provide safety from predators and abundant food sources. Their natural home ranges can vary from 200 to 250 hectares, but habitat fragmentation has dramatically reduced the size and connectivity of these ranges. Today, black bearded sakis are found only in scattered forest fragments, making their survival increasingly precarious.

What is the lifespan of a black bearded saki?

The lifespan of the black bearded saki is estimated to be up to 18 years in the wild, with sexual maturity typically reached at around 4 years of age. Females usually give birth every two years, and the long interval between births suggests a relatively slow reproductive rate. Closely related bearded saki species have been known to live up to 20 years in the wild, though specific data for the black bearded saki remains limited. Their longevity is closely tied to the quality and continuity of their forest habitat, with threats such as habitat destruction and hunting potentially reducing average lifespans in fragmented environments

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Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology. Reject products linked to deforestation, mining, and the illegal wildlife trade. Adopt a #vegan lifestyle and #BoycottMeat to protect wild and farmed animals alike. Every choice matters—stand with the black bearded saki and defend the forests of the Amazon.

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanasBlack Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

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Further Information

Boubli, J. P., de Lima, E. M., Silva, M. N. F., & Silva Júnior, J. S. (2009). Bearded sakis in south-eastern Amazonia—back from the brink? Oryx, 43(2), 283–288. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/oryx/article/bearded-sakis-in-southeastern-amazoniaback-from-the-brink/703BC0853B02C2FB8017AD73EDA6BAB8

Neprimateconservancy.org. (n.d.). Black Bearded Saki, Chiropotes satanas. https://neprimateconservancy.org/black-bearded-saki/

Port-Carvalho, M., Muniz, C.C., Fialho, M.S., Alonso, A.C., Jerusalinsky, L. & Veiga, L.M. 2021. Chiropotes satanas (amended version of 2020 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2021: e.T39956A191704509. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-1.RLTS.T39956A191704509.en. Downloaded on 05 June 2021.

van Roosmalen, M. G. M., Mittermeier, R. A., & Fleagle, J. G. (1988). Diet of the northern bearded saki (Chiropotes satanas chiropotes): A neotropical seed predator. American Journal of Primatology, 14(1), 11–35. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.1350140103

Veiga, L. M., & Ferrari, S. F. (2007). Conservation status of the black-bearded saki Chiropotes satanas in Maranhão, Brazil. International Journal of Primatology, 28(2), 347–358. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-007-9146-6

Wikipedia. (n.d.). Black bearded saki. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_bearded_saki

Black Bearded Saki Chiropotes satanas

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Palm Oil Detectives Nov 12, 2022

African Palm Civet Nandinia binotata

African Palm Civet Nandinia binotata

Red list status: Least concern (in 2016) but likely becoming endangered now.

Locations: Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe.

African Palm Civets Nandinia binotata are ecosystem-critical seed dispersers in Africa’s forests. Their spotted coats blend into the dappled forest shadows of #Liberia and #Gabon in #Africa. Although they were once widespread, the African palm civet now faces mounting pressure from palm oil-driven deforestation, mining, and relentless hunting for #bushmeat. Their survival hangs in the balance —fight for their survival every time you shop, be #Vegan for them and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFpLVDC6IM0

Vital seed dispersers in #African forests, African palm civets are hunted for #bushmeat in #Gabon 🇬🇦 #Liberia 🇱🇷 Say NO to #palmoil #deforestation and hunting. Fight for them! Be #Vegan 🫑🍆 #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜☠️🔥❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2022/11/13/african-palm-civet-nandinia-binotata/

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Appearance & Behaviour

The African palm civet is a small, cat-like omnivore, their slender body and long, ringed tail perfectly adapted for life in the treetops. Their fur ranges from grey to dark brown, with distinctive dark spots decorating their back. Males are slightly larger than females, typically weighing between 1 and 3 kilograms and measuring 30 to 70 centimetres in length. Two scent glands beneath their abdomen allow them to mark territory and communicate with potential mates. African palm civets are nocturnal, spending most of their lives high in the canopy, where they forage, rest, and raise their young. They are nocturnal and spend the majority of their lives in the tree canopies of rainforests eating from fruit-bearing trees like banana, papaya, fig and corkwood.

Threats

The main threats to African palm civets are anthropogenic and include:

Large tracts of rainforest where African palm civets live are threatened by commercial logging and large-scale oil palm plantations owned by foreign multinational companies.

Hunting for bushmeat trade

Around 8,000 palm civets are hunted in the Nigerian and Cameroon part of the Cross-Sanaga-Bioko coastal forests. Throughout Africa these small animals are treated as hostile by locals and are killed for this reason. They are regularly found in bushmeat markets.

Palm oil deforestation: a major threat

The upper Guinean rainforests in Liberia are a biodiversity rich hotspot and they are rapidly being fragmented and destroyed by palm oil and timber deforestation, along with mining.

Habitat

The African palm civet’s range spans much of sub-Saharan Africa, from Senegal and Gambia in the west, through Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola, Zambia, Uganda, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe. They inhabit deciduous forests, lowland rainforests, gallery forests, riverine peatlands, and swamplands. Once widespread, their habitat is now fragmented by deforestation, agriculture, and mining, leaving only scattered pockets of forest where the African palm civet can still be found.

Diet

African palm civets are omnivorous, their diet shifting with the rhythm of the seasons. Fruits such as persimmon, African corkwood, Uapaca, fig, papaya, and banana form the core of their diet. When fruit is scarce, they hunt rodents, lizards, birds, frogs, insects, and even raid farms for small livestock. Their foraging is a quiet, methodical search through the canopy, and they are vital seed dispersers, helping to regenerate the forests they call home.

Mating and breeding

African palm civets are mostly solitary, coming together only to mate. Males range over territories that overlap with those of several females. Breeding occurs year-round, with peaks during the rainy seasons, especially from September to January. After a gestation of about 64 days, females give birth in tree hollows to litters of up to four cubs. The young are weaned after about two months, remaining with their mothers as they learn to forage and navigate the treetops. Sexual maturity is reached at around three years, and the generation length is estimated at seven years. The bond between mother and cub is strong, forged in the safety of the canopy and tested by the dangers of the shrinking forest.

FAQs

Where do African palm civets sleep?

African palm civets are highly arboreal and seek shelter high in the treetops, where they find safety from predators and the elements. They commonly rest or sleep during the day in the forks of large trees, among lianas, or in tangled vines, blending into the foliage with their spotted coats. Occasionally, as forests shrink and human settlements expand, African palm civets adapt by sleeping in less typical places such as gutters, thick undergrowth at farm and village margins, woodpiles, old dead trees, piles of dead leaves, and even in thatched roofs or overgrown shrubbery in rubbish dumps. Their choice of sleeping site is always guided by the need for concealment and protection, reflecting their nocturnal and secretive nature.

Can African palm civets climb trees?

African palm civets are exceptional climbers, spending most of their lives in the forest canopy. Their bodies are built for agility among the branches: they have powerful limbs, long tails for balance, and sharp, retractile claws that allow them to grip bark and vines securely. African palm civets move swiftly and silently through the treetops, foraging, resting, and raising their young high above the ground, rarely descending except to cross open areas in search of food or new shelter. Their arboreal lifestyle is so pronounced that they are sometimes described as “tree cats,” and their climbing abilities are vital for evading predators and accessing fruit-laden branches.

Are palm civets carnivorous?

African palm civets are omnivores, with a diet that is more varied than simply carnivorous. While they do eat small mammals, birds, eggs, insects, and occasionally carrion or even raid farms for small livestock, fruit forms the largest part of their diet. They consume a wide range of fruits, including those from umbrella trees, sugar plums, corkwood, wild figs, and even the fleshy pulp from oil palms. African palm civets are opportunistic feeders, adapting their diet to what is available seasonally and in their environment, but they are not strictly carnivorous and play a significant role as seed dispersers in their forest habitats.

How big are African palm civets?

African palm civets are small to medium-sized mammals, with males generally larger than females. Adult males typically measure between 39.8 and 62.5 centimetres in body length, with tails adding another 43 to 76.2 centimetres, and can weigh from 1.3 to 3 kilograms. Females are slightly smaller, with body lengths of 37 to 61 centimetres and tails of 34 to 70 centimetres, weighing between 1.2 and 2.7 kilograms. Their long, muscular tails and compact bodies make them agile climbers, and their size allows them to navigate the dense forest canopy with ease.

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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 African palm civets in order to support their survival! Find out more here

Further Information

The IUCN has declared that this animal was of ‘Least Concern’ in 2016. However, their habitat is rapidly declining and they deserve more intensive protection and regular assessment.

Gaubert, P., Bahaa-el-din, L., Ray, J. & Do Linh San, E. 2015. Nandinia binotata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T41589A45204645. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T41589A45204645.en. Accessed on 07 September 2022.

Kotelnicki, S. (2012). Nandinia binotata. Animal Diversity Web. https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Nandinia_binotata/

Wikipedia. (n.d.). African palm civet. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Palm_Civet

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#Africa #African #AfricanPalmCivetNandiniaBinotata #animals #Benin #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Burundi #bushmeat #Cameroon #CentralAfricanRepublic #Congo #CoteDIvoire #deforestation #EquatorialGuinea #ForgottenAnimals #Gabon #Ghana #hunting #Kenya #Liberia #Malawi #Mammal #mining #Nigeria #omnivore #omnivores #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #poaching #Rwanda #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #SierraLeone #Tanzania #Togo #Uganda #vegan #Viverrid #VulnerableSpecies