SNC1D Science Journal

Borneo forests have been threatened by “the chainsaw and caterpillar tractor” since the 1950s. The deforestation risks hundreds of species becoming extinct. Larger animals face more of a risk from the large amount of space needed to stay alive. Smaller animals face the issue of their habitats being destroyed and irreparable. The road construction also separates the animals from each other and from what they need to survive.

Borneo is also becoming more prone to wild fires due to the dryness of the land. Animals obviously are not suitable for those kind of conditions and many would not survive.

Although deforestation is the main threat to species in the forests, don’t think it stops there. Multiple species “that call the Heart of Borneo home” are being hunted and traded. They sell these animals and their parts like illegal drugs. These crimes are run by big dangerous businesses and say they make hundreds of millions of dollars.

Orangutang sell for hundreds of dollars. Around 200-500 of these animals are entered into these trades. Orangutang have a low reproductive rate so this puts them under even more of a risk.