KUALA LUMPUR, — Conservationists believe that sending orangutans abroad as a form of diplomacy, similar to China’s practice with pandas, is an unworkable strategy.
Speaking to new portal Channel News Asia (CNA), conservationists argue that protecting orangutan habitats and contributing to conservation efforts for their long-term survival is more viable and will demonstrate Malaysia’s commitment to biodiversity without overrunning their habitats.
“Orangutans are fully protected and are difficult to send overseas. There is also already an existing captive population overseas, unlike pandas,” Marc Ancrenaz, scientific director of Hutan, a Sabah-focused conservation non-profit, was quoted as saying.
Ancrenaz highlighted that forests are becoming increasingly fragmented, leading orangutans and other wildlife, including elephants, to wander into agricultural areas. Despite consuming some fruit and causing minor harm, orangutans otherwise pose no threat to humans.