Opportunity Drives #Spillover: Serological #Surveillance across #Carnivores, #Omnivores and #Herbivores in an #HPAIV #H5 Hotspot in North-East #Germany, 2023-2025, https://etidiohnew.blogspot.com/2025/10/opportunity-drives-spillover.html
#Omnivores
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/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & 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.
Take Action!
The #Boycott4Wildlife offers a way for consumers to fight back against palm oil deforestation and other forms of animal cruelty and slavery. Please help us and raise your voice for African Palm Civets, join the #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
You can support this beautiful animal
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
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support#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
#Papio #hamadryas (#Cercopithecidae) live I.a. in northeastern Africa and are ground-dwelling #omnivores. A female with her young (#ZooBerlin 2020) benefits from the protection of her group, which consists of around 7 members. It is a so called #onemaleunit. They can join together to form higher associations (#band and #troop, see Akio Mori et al 2007) for more security for their members. #evolution #biodiversity
© #StefanFWirth Berlin 2025, 2020
Akio Mori et al. 2007: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10329-007-0045-2
Making one of our many Teochew styles of #SpringRolls. This #omnivores version has very little meat.
Ingredients in the stuffing:
Ground pork
2 eggs
Carrots
Wood ear mushrooms
Turnip
Yellow onion (medium sized one)
Tofu
Rice vermicelli
Cabbage
Chicken broth powder
Ground pepper
Sea salt
Fish sauce
Sesame oil
From cooking prep to deep frying finish:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?si=eL7nxTAxMMa7HmoZ&v=O800EWrSOyg&feature=youtu.be
#AsianMastodon #Teochew #Gaginang #AsianFood #ChineseFood #EthnicEats #CulturalFood #POCfoods #FoodCulture #Homemade #homecooking #food #Cuisine #culinary #FriedFood #CookingVideo #Cooking #WhatsInMyWok #iCanCook #DeepFrying #DeepFried #ChineseCooking #foodies
@KarinWanderer
🥥 Grizzly bears, being omnivores, world eat California if we let them. 🥥
#GrizzlyBears, #California, #Omnivores, #TuckersBalls
Le doute | Ma guerre des mondes (3/5) | ARTE
https://peertube.iriseden.eu/videos/watch/17da9792-06ed-4ac2-a85a-d8dbd6cefd95
A brief history of mankind first we were prey, then we became predators. #prey #predators #eat #eaten #carnivores #omnivores #hunting #ranching #meat #slaughter
I'm going to say right here that many full #vegan folks use #GuiltTrips to try to get #omnivores like me to go full vegan. I actually tried that for 6 months & ended up in ER. My system isn't built to be full vegan. My health improved when I went on full traditional diets. Same with every single one of my Indigenous friends. I want vegan folks to stop telling us WTF to eat. When most of those folks aren't even food security self sufficient. Fucking ignorant, #colonialism behaviours.
This makes a great deal of sense to me. Our ideas about which #foods and methods of preparation are tasty vs. disgusting are deeply cultural, even in today’s relatively homogenized world.
Much more so when our #ancestors lived in widely separated groups, in vastly different environments, and making use of whatever they could get was the only alternative to #starvation. Humans are the omni-est of #omnivores, and we assign cultural significance to practically everything we do.
Also, I’m always just happy to pass on any news that demonstrates how much the modern idea of the “#paleo diet” is bullshit. That’s a pretty strong preference on my part, but I don’t claim it as a cultural universal. 😉
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/meat-rotten-putrid-paleo-diet-fire-neanderthal
Although you'll easily find #vegetarian and #vegan options (partially) #organic #restaurants in #Salzburg /#Austria seem to focus on #omnivores. My favourite new discovery however is a tiny #Italo #Austro #Croatian #delicatessen: https://www.organictraveller.de/organictraveller-salzburg-restaurants
Borneo’s bearded pig: forest gardener and eocosysem protector!
Borneo – fourth-largest island in the world, home to more than 20 million people. With so many well known species on the island like elephants, rhinos and orangutans, one species continues to fly under the radar. Sus barbatus AKA the Borneo Bearded Pig should be the most emblematic animal on the island. This wild boar owes its name to an abundant tuft of upward- and forward-pointing bristles covering its cheeks and lower jaw. The bearded pig is a tireless migrator, either alone or in large herds. It often travels hundreds of kilometres to obtain its preferred foods. In doing so, it plays a crucial role as the gardener of the forests of Borneo. Help them to survive when you shop, make sure you #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
The underestimated #Borneo Bearded Pig 🐗🫶😍 is a timeless forest gardener and protector of ecosystems in 🇮🇩🇲🇾 Hunting and #palmoil #deforestation are major threats. Help them each time you shop #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife 🌴🩸🔥⛔️ @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/14/bornean-bearded-pig-gardener/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterA fragile landscape
The 743,330km2 island is home to the largest area of forest in Asia. But Borneo is one of the world’s most intensively deforested regions. At the beginning of the 1970s, its forest area was around 56 million hectares. In 45 years 20 million of that has been cut down. Intensive logging, open-pit mining, rapid expansion of agro-industrial plantations – oil palms in particular – and hazardous peatland development all endanger Borneo’s forests.
The migration of the rural poor from the overpopulated islands of Madura, Java and Bali is constitute another threat over the forest. Used to a land-intensive style of farming, they clear the forest to grow crops. At times they come into conflict with the native populations, which can turn violent.
Large wildfires, sparked by droughts caused by the El Niño phenomenon, further destroy the forest.
The bearded boar, one of the most emblematic animals of the Malay archipelago. Rufus46/Wikipedia, CC BYForest clear-cutting prior to the creation of a palm-oil plantation. Borneo (Indonesia), 2009. Rainforest Action Network/Flickr, CC BY-NCOrangutan, clouded leopard and … the bearded pig
Borneo is rich in its biodiversity and home to many unique species. Its unique plants include carnivorous nepenthes as well as Rafflesia arnoldii, which produces the largest flower in the world with the smell of rotting flesh. Animals such as the orangutan, Borneo pygmy elephant, clouded leopard, long-nosed proboscis monkey and tufted ground squirrel call it home.
One species that is rarely mentioned is the bearded pig, Sus barbatus, despite the hog being the most emblematic animal of the island. This wild boar owes its name to an abundant tuft of upward- and forward-pointing bristles covering its cheeks and lower jaw. There are two subspecies: S. barbatus oi, present only in Sumatra, and S. barbatus barbatus, present on the Malay Peninsula and Borneo.
The bearded pig is a tireless migrator, either alone or in large herds. It often travels hundreds of kilometres to obtain its preferred foods. In doing so, it plays a crucial role as the gardener of the forests of Borneo.
Tireless gardener of Dipterocarpaceae
To understand this function of the wild boar, it is necessary to evoke the singular feature of Borneo’s forest: the predominance of a family of trees, the Dipterocarpaceae. These tall evergreens, mainly located in low-altitude forests, are easily recognisable by their “crown shyness” – the crowns of mature trees do not touch each other.
Most of the wood species exploited by the forest industry come from this family alone, thus increasing the sensitivity of the Borneo forest to unsustainable logging.
At irregular intervals of 2-15 years, a unique phenomenon occurs: all the Dipterocarpaceae species – as well as several species of Fagaceae associated with them and which produce lipid-rich acorns – dispense their fruits all at once within a short period, which does not exceed a few weeks.
Sometimes up to 90% of similar trees in one portion of the forest will bear fruit at the same time. From an evolutionary biology point of view, such mast fruiting, concentrated in space and time, aims to overwhelm potential predators, a strategy renown as “predator satiation”.
Because the phenomenon occurs in a staggered manner within the forest mosaic, animals that seek these nutritious fruits – first and foremost the bearded pig – must migrate from one fruiting zone to the next. In so doing, they perform an essential function for the dipterocarp trees, dispersing their seeds over vast distances.
A tireless forager, the bearded pig also reshapes the soil surface and accelerates the decomposition of organic matter. It browses and cleans the undergrowth, improving the access of tree roots to soil nutrients.
Dipterocarpaceae forest. Edmond Dounias/IRD, CC BYA mediator with the spirit world
As it evolved, the bearded pig has adapted to the unpredictable pattern of dipterocarp mast fruiting.
It is omnivorous and can live off alternative food sources when dipterocarp trees aren’t producing fruit, periods that can last several years.
When abundant food is available, the boar’s efficient metabolism allows it to stock fat that will help it survive during the lean times.
Its physical attributes also reinforce its ability to survive: it’s highly fertile, reproduces early and can live in either small or large groups. Its long legs are adapted to extensive migrations through dense forests, and it’s an adept swimmer, too. All the better to maximise access to coveted resources.
The bearded pig is also the favourite game of the peoples of Borneo: it represents 97% of the bushmeat volume consumed by the Punan hunter-gatherers.
Bearded boar hunting, a millennial practice in Borneo. Charles Hose, Author providedThe hunting of wild boar, a practice attested to go back more than 35,000 years, justifies the prominent position of this animal in the culture of Borneo dwellers. They attribute to it a symbolic role as mediator between men and the spirits that regulate access to forest resources.
The rarefaction of the wild boar or the discovery of dead individuals in the forest are thus all bad omens. The Punan interpret these as expressions of the wrath of supernatural forces against them, signalling a need to restore harmony through frugal behaviour and the intervention of a shaman.
Through its interactions with other forest wildlife – birds, monkeys, barking deer – the bearded boar reveals the relationship that the peoples of Borneo have with their forests, their concern for a sane cohabitation with all the living creatures of the forest and a reasonable use of its resources. For the inhabitants of Borneo, this mammal is much more than just game. https://www.youtube.com/embed/XCktNumO8kY?wmode=transparent&start=0 Wild boar hunting by the Punan (2000).
Ecological and cultural keystone
Although its omnivorous diet and adaptability allow it to survive in even the most degraded environments and keep it away from the verge of extinction, the bearded pig is nevertheless classified as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This is an undeniable indicator of the severe degradation of the forests of Borneo.
More efficiently than the most eminent ecologists, wild-boar hunters are in the front line of detecting the slightest behavioural change in their most charismatic resource. Sentinels of their environment, they can be incomparable partners for the international scientific community in monitoring and understanding the various drivers of change, including climate change, that affect their forests.
An ecological and cultural keystone species, the bearded pig is a strange mammal that nonetheless bears witness to the fact that no sustainable preservation of forests is conceivable without the decisive contribution of indigenous knowledge, and without recognition of the indigenous peoples’ specific vision of the world.
Edmond Dounias, Directeur de recherche, interactions bioculturelles, Institut de recherche pour le développement (IRD) This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support#amazingAnimals #AnimalBiodiversityNews #BorneanBeardedPigSusBarbatus #Borneo #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #editorial #hog #hogs #Indonesia #Malaysia #News #omnivore #omnivores #palmoil #pig #Pigs #ReasonsToBeHopeful #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #ungulate #ungulates #wildPig
Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni
Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni
Red List Status: Vulnerable
Locations: Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia), Indonesia (Borneo, Belitung Island, Riau Islands), Myanmar (southern regions), Brunei
In #Borneo’s twilight, the Vordermann’s flying #squirrel emerges from her nest, resplendent with orange cheeks and black-ringed eyes. This small, #nocturnal #mammal is a master of the rainforest canopy. They use an ingenious membrane called a patagium to effortlessly glide between trees. A flying squirrel’s world is one of constant motion and quiet vigilance. Don’t let this world disappear! The forests that sustain them are vanishing at an alarming rate. Palm oil-driven deforestation, logging, and land conversion are tearing through their habitat, leaving only fragmented forest. Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Vordermann’s Flying #Squirrels 🪽🦦🤎 are spectacular gliding #mammals of #Borneo who are #vulnerable due to #palmoil #deforestation in #Malaysia 🇲🇾 and #Indonesia 🇮🇩 Support them and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🩸🚜🔥☠️❌ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/vordermanns-flying-squirrel-petinomys-vordermanni/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance and Behaviour
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is one of the smallest flying squirrels, with a head and body length of 92–120 millimetres and a tail of equal length, weighing between 22 and 52 grams. Their fur is a striking mix of black with rusty tips, and their underparts are a soft, rusty white. Each eye is ringed with black, and their orange cheeks and tufts of whiskers beneath the ears give them a distinctive, expressive face. The squirrel’s patagium—a skin flap between the limbs is like an airborne sail. Meanwhile their flattened bushy tail is akin to an airborne rudder helping them with precise movements through the air.
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is strictly nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days hidden in tree holes and emerging at night to forage and glide. They are agile climbers, using their sharp claws and keen senses to navigate the dense canopy. Their glides are silent and graceful, covering distances of several metres between trees. The squirrel’s world is one of constant movement and quiet communication, with little known about their social structure or vocalisations. Their nests are typically found 0.3 to 6 metres above the ground, often in partially cut primary forest, secondary forest, or forest bordering swamps.
Threats
This squirrel is threatened by forest loss due to logging and agricultural conversion.
IUCN Red list
Palm oil and other industrial agriculture
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is classified as Vulnerable on the Red List, with habitat loss the primary threat to their survival. Across Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra, forests are being cleared for palm oil plantations and agricultural expansion. These industrial-scale operations strip away the dense, multi-layered vegetation that the squirrel depends on for food and shelter. The once-continuous canopy is reduced to isolated patches, forcing squirrels into ever-smaller territories and increasing competition for resources.
Roads, infrastructure and timber logging
Logging operations further fragment the remaining forest habitat of Vordermann’s flying squirrel. Roads and clearings cut through the forest, severing the connections that squirrels rely on for movement and foraging. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change. In many areas, only small, isolated groups of squirrels remain, cut off from neighbouring populations by expanses of cleared land.
Hunting and illegal pet trade
While hunting and the illegal pet trade are not explicitly cited as major threats for Vordermann’s flying squirrel in current literature, the broader context of wildlife exploitation in Southeast Asia raises concerns. Any increase in human activity and access to remote forests could put additional pressure on this already vulnerable species.
Climate change and pollution
Climate change adds further pressure, altering rainfall patterns and the availability of food. The squirrel’s world is becoming hotter, drier, and less predictable, with the forests they depend on shrinking year by year. Extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, can destroy habitat and isolate populations even further. Pollution from mining and agriculture can poison rivers and soil, further degrading the squirrel’s environment.
Diet
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of plant materials, including fruits, seeds, leaves, and bark, as well as insects and other small invertebrates. Their foraging is a quiet, nocturnal activity, carried out in the safety of the canopy. The rhythm of their feeding is woven into the life of the forest, as they play a vital role in seed dispersal and the regeneration of their ecosystem. The availability of food is closely tied to the health of the forest, and the loss of habitat threatens their ability to find enough to eat.
Reproduction and Mating
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is monogamous, with each female mating with a single male. Breeding occurs seasonally, typically in the spring months of February and March, and can extend into April. Females give birth to one to three young per litter, usually in tree holes. The gestation period and time to weaning are not well documented, but in similar species, mothers provide food and milk for several weeks until the young are able to forage on their own. Cooperative breeding may occur, with other group members assisting in the care of the young, but the exact social structure of Vordermann’s flying squirrel remains poorly understood.
Geographic Range
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is found in the lowland rainforests of southern Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Indonesian islands of Belitung and Riau. Their habitat includes primary and secondary forests, orchards, rubber plantations, and forests bordering swamps. The squirrel’s historical range has contracted due to deforestation and human encroachment, and they are now restricted to the few remaining patches of suitable habitat. The sounds of Vordermann’s flying squirrel—rustling leaves and silent glides—are now heard in fewer and fewer places.
FAQs
How many Vordermann’s flying squirrels are left?
There are no precise population estimates for Vordermann’s flying squirrel, but their numbers are believed to be declining due to ongoing habitat loss and fragmentation. The species is listed as Vulnerable on the Red List, with a suspected population decline of more than 30% over three generations. The squirrel’s survival is threatened by the continued destruction of their forest home.
What are the characteristics of Vordermann’s flying squirrel?
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is one of the smallest flying squirrels, with a head and body length of 92–120 millimetres and a weight of 22–52 grams. They have striking black fur with rusty tips, a white underside, and distinctive orange cheeks with black rings around their eyes. Their flattened, bushy tail and patagium allow them to glide silently through the forest canopy. Vordermann’s flying squirrel is strictly nocturnal and arboreal, spending their days in tree holes and emerging at night to forage.
Where does the Vordermann’s flying squirrel live?
Vordermann’s flying squirrel is found in the lowland rainforests of southern Myanmar, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, and the Indonesian islands of Belitung and Riau. They inhabit primary and secondary forests, orchards, rubber plantations, and forests bordering swamps. Their historical range has contracted due to deforestation and human encroachment, and they are now restricted to the few remaining patches of suitable habitat.
What are the threats to the survival of the Vordermann’s flying squirrel?
The main threats to the survival of Vordermann’s flying squirrel are habitat loss and fragmentation caused by palm oil-driven deforestation, logging, and agricultural expansion. The forests of Malaysia, Borneo, and Sumatra are being cleared at an alarming rate, leaving only isolated patches where the squirrel can survive. Fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing vulnerability to disease and environmental change. Climate change and pollution add further pressure, altering the availability of food and shelter.
Do Vordermann’s flying squirrels make a good pets?
Vordermann’s flying squirrels most definitely do not make good pets. Captivity causes extreme stress, loneliness, and early death for these highly specialised forest animals. The illegal pet trade rips families apart and fuels extinction, as animals are stolen from their natural habitat and forced into unnatural, impoverished conditions. Protecting Vordermann’s flying squirrel means rejecting the illegal pet trade and supporting their right to live wild and free in their forest home.
Take Action!
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 Vordermann’s flying squirrel and defend the forests of Southeast Asia.
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
Clayton, E. 2016. Petinomys vordermanni (errata version published in 2017). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T16740A115139026. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T16740A22241246.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Vordermann’s flying squirrel. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vordermann%27s_flying_squirrel
Wilson, D. E., Lacher, T. E., & Mittermeier, R. A. (2016). Sciuridae, Handbook of the Mammals of the World – Volume 6 Lagomorphs and Rodents I. Lynx Edicions. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6840226
Vordermann’s Flying Squirrel Petinomys vordermanni
Caption: This beautiful painting is by My YM
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Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale everetti
Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale everetti
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered
Location: The Bornean Ferret Badger is endemic to the island of Borneo, specifically in the montane forests of northern Borneo. Key confirmed locations include Gunung Alab, Mount Kinabalu, and the Crocker Range in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia.
The Bornean Ferret Badger is an enigmatic nocturnal omnivore, known for their dependence on intact montane forests. Due to habitat destruction, primarily caused by deforestation for out-of-control palm oil plantations and agriculture in Malaysia, they are classified as endangered. These threats pose grave risk to these elusive creatures.
As omnivores and foragers, Bornean Ferret Badgers play a crucial role in their ecosystems. Their diet helps regulate pest populations, while their foraging aerates soil, promoting forest health. By consuming fruit, they may also aid in seed dispersal, contributing to the regeneration of their montane forest habitats. Immediate research and conservation action are needed to secure their future. Help their survival and use your wallet as a weapon when you shop, #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Bornean Ferret #Badgers 🦡 are normally never seen. One of the least studied #omnivores is also one of the most #endangered. Mainly from #palmoil #deforestation. Help them survive when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔💩🤮⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/bornean-ferret-badger-melogale-everetti/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterBornean Ferret #Badgers become aggressive when cornered and release a potent scent. Known as ‘Biul Slentek’ they’re #endangered by #palmoil #deforestation in #Borneo. Help them survive when you #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔💩🤮⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/05/bornean-ferret-badger-melogale-everetti/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance and Behaviour
• Known locally in Malay as “Biul Slentek,” these badgers of the mustelid family are culturally significant in the regions where they are found.
• Despite their small size, they exhibit fierce defensive behaviours, including releasing a skunk-like odour and displaying bold colouration to deter predators.
• Their nocturnal and elusive nature makes them one of the most challenging species to study in Southeast Asia.
The Bornean Ferret Badger is a mammal of the mustelid family, covered in fur that ranges from grey-brown to dark black, with a lighter underside. A bold facial “mask” of white or yellow stripes gives them a distinct, ferret-like appearance, and a dorsal stripe runs from the top of their head to their shoulders, varying in colour from white to red. Their small size—measuring 33–44 centimetres in body length, with a bushy tail of 15–23 centimetres—makes them agile and adept at navigating dense forests.
These badgers are nocturnal and primarily ground-dwelling, but they are also capable climbers, thanks to partial webbing between their toes and ridges on their footpads. Their strong claws allow them to dig efficiently, though they often repurpose burrows dug by other animals rather than digging their own.
When provoked or cornered, the Bornean Ferret Badger displays fierce defensive behaviours. They emit a pungent odour from their scent glands, similar to skunks, to deter predators. Additionally, their bold facial markings and dorsal stripe act as warning colouration, signalling potential danger to would-be threats.
Diet
The Bornean Ferret Badger is omnivorous, with a diet that includes insects, earthworms, small invertebrates, and fruits. They forage on the forest floor, sifting through leaf litter to locate food, demonstrating their adaptability to their montane ecosystem (IUCN, 2015; Wong et al., 2011).
Reproduction and Mating
Bornean Ferret Badgers exhibit year-round reproduction, with females capable of breeding at any time. The gestation period lasts 57 to 80 days, and litters typically consist of 1 to 5 young, born in May or June. The young are weaned and cared for in burrows for 2 to 3 months before becoming independent.
Interestingly, males undergo an annual period of reproductive dormancy from September to December, during which they cease sperm production. This adaptation may be linked to seasonal changes in resource availability in their montane habitats.
Geographic Range
Although their habitat associations are too poorly known to be sure that the recent widespread habitat change in their range poses an imminent threat, the ongoing paucity of incidental records (such as road-kills) in converted habitats suggests that the species is threatened by the ongoing land-cover transformations.
iucn RED lIST
This species is restricted to northern Borneo, including regions in Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia. It inhabits montane and submontane forests at elevations above 1,000 metres, with confirmed sightings at Gunung Alab and the Crocker Range. Their reliance on intact forest ecosystems makes them highly vulnerable to habitat loss (Wong et al., 2011; IUCN, 2015).
Threats
- Palm Oil and Timber Deforestation: The expansion of out-of-control palm oil plantations, logging, and slash-and-burn agriculture continues to destroy montane forest habitats. Roads cutting through Kinabalu National Park and Crocker Range National Park exacerbate habitat fragmentation, isolating populations and limiting their movements.
- Climate Change: Rising temperatures and shifting weather patterns due to climate change force high-altitude specialists like the Bornean Ferret Badger further upslope. With limited elevation to escape to, they are at increased risk of habitat loss and extinction.
- Natural Disasters: Concentrated in a small geographic range, the species is vulnerable to natural disasters such as typhoons and monsoons. Epidemics also pose a serious threat to their survival due to the limited separation between populations.
- Human Encroachment: Encroachment on the edges of protected areas has led to habitat degradation. Illegal land clearing and the conversion of surrounding forest into agricultural fields further reduce the species’ already small habitat.
FAQs
What are ferret badgers?
Ferret badgers are small mammals belonging to the genus Melogale in the Mustelidae family, which also includes weasels, otters, badgers, and wolverines. These animals have a unique appearance that combines features of ferrets and badgers, with elongated bodies, short legs, and bushy tails. Their fur is typically dark brown or black with lighter underparts, and many species display striking facial markings or dorsal stripes. Unlike their larger badger relatives, ferret badgers are more agile and adapted to climbing and burrowing. They are nocturnal and secretive, with behaviours and adaptations that make them difficult to observe in the wild. Currently, six species are recognised, including the Bornean Ferret Badger (Melogale everetti), which is one of the least-studied species in this genus.
Are Bornean ferret badgers endangered?
Yes, the Bornean Ferret Badger is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List under criteria B1ab(ii,iii,v), primarily due to habitat destruction and fragmentation (IUCN, 2015).
How big are Bornean ferret badgers?
They are small omnivores, measuring 35–40 centimetres in body length, with a tail length of 15–20 centimetres, and weighing between 1 and 2 kilograms (Wong et al., 2011).
Where do ferret badgers live?
Bornean Ferret Badgers lives in montane and submontane forests in northern Borneo, particularly in Sabah and Sarawak, at elevations above 1,000 metres. Dense vegetation and intact forest ecosystems are critical for their survival (IUCN, 2015).
Ferret badgers are native to Asia and are found in countries such as China, Nepal, Indonesia, and Malaysia. They inhabit a variety of habitats, including mixed evergreen forests, montane forests, open woodlands, and pastures. Some species, like the Bornean Ferret Badger, are restricted to specific regions and high-altitude environments, such as the montane forests of northern Borneo. These adaptable animals often prefer forested areas with dense undergrowth but can also survive in scrubland or agricultural fields when their natural habitats are disturbed. However, their preference for cooler, elevated regions and intact forests makes them particularly vulnerable to deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
What do ferret badgers eat?
The Bornean Ferret Badger’s diet includes insects, earthworms, fruits, and small invertebrates. They forage on the forest floor, using their acute sense of smell to locate food (Wong et al., 2011).
Ferret badgers in general are omnivorous and highly adaptable in their diet, which typically includes insects, worms, amphibians, fruits, and small vertebrates. They are opportunistic feeders, foraging both on the ground and, in some cases, climbing trees to access food. This diverse diet plays an important ecological role, as they help control pest populations by consuming insects and aerate the soil through their digging. Additionally, their consumption of fruit may contribute to seed dispersal, supporting forest regeneration. The Bornean Ferret Badger’s diet aligns with this general pattern, including invertebrates and carrion, which further highlights their role as a valuable member of their ecosystem.
How do ferret badgers defend themselves?
Ferret badgers have a unique and effective defence mechanism to ward off predators: they emit a foul-smelling secretion from their anal glands. This pungent odour, similar to that of a skunk, is released when the animal feels threatened or cornered. In addition to this chemical defence, ferret badgers rely on their bold facial markings and dorsal stripes, which serve as a visual warning to potential predators. The Bornean Ferret Badger, in particular, exhibits this behaviour and is known for fiercely defending itself when provoked. These adaptations, combined with their secretive nature and nocturnal habits, help ferret badgers evade predation in the wild.
How do ferret badgers move around?
Ferret badgers are nocturnal animals, spending their nights foraging and their days resting in dens or burrows. They are not territorial and move from one resting spot to the next, rarely establishing permanent residences. Instead of digging their own burrows, they often use pre-existing burrows created by other animals. Their broad feet, strong claws, and partially webbed toes enable them to climb and dig efficiently, allowing them to navigate both forest floors and low tree branches. This combination of behaviours and adaptations makes them highly versatile in their movements, whether on the ground or in the canopy.
How do ferret badgers reproduce?
Female ferret badgers typically give birth to a litter of up to three young in late spring or early summer, often in May or June. The gestation period ranges from 57 to 80 days. At birth, the young are blind but already well-furred, with colour patterns resembling those of adults. They remain in burrows for about two to three months under the care of their mother, who provides food and protection until they are capable of foraging independently. The breeding habits of male ferret badgers are notable for their seasonal reproductive dormancy, during which they cease sperm production from September to December. This reproductive strategy may help align breeding with optimal environmental conditions, ensuring the survival of the next generation.
What are the threats to ferret badgers?
Ferret badgers face numerous threats, the most significant being habitat loss and fragmentation caused by deforestation, agricultural expansion, and infrastructure development. As forests are cleared for palm oil plantations, logging, and urbanisation, ferret badgers lose the dense undergrowth and connected habitats they rely on for shelter and foraging. Climate change poses an additional threat, especially for high-altitude species like the Bornean Ferret Badger, which cannot move further upslope to escape rising temperatures. Slash-and-burn agriculture and human encroachment into protected areas further exacerbate these challenges. These threats, combined with their naturally low population densities and restricted ranges, make ferret badgers particularly vulnerable to decline.
Take Action!
The survival of the Bornean Ferret Badger depends on preserving their montane forest habitat. Support conservation efforts by boycotting products containing palm oil, advocating for forest protection, and raising awareness about the importance of biodiversity. Every action counts. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan
Further Information
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Bornean Ferret Badger. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bornean_ferret_badger
Wilting, A., Duckworth, J.W., Hearn, A. & Ross, J. 2015. Melogale everetti. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T13110A45199541. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T13110A45199541.en. Downloaded on 04 February 2021.
Wong, A., Mohamed, N. S., Tuh, F. Y. Y., & Wilting, A. (2011). A record of the little-known Bornean Ferret Badger (Melogale everetti) at Gunung Alab, Sabah, Malaysia. Small Carnivore Conservation, 33, 55–60. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291505770_A_record_of_the_little-known_Bornean_Ferret_Badger_Melogale_everetti_at_Gunung_Alab_Sabah_Malaysia
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
Bornean Ferret Badger Melogale everetti
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support#Badgers #BorneanFerretBadgerMelogaleEveretti #Borneo #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #deforestation #endangered #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #Indonesia #Malaysia #Mammal #mustelid #omnivore #omnivores #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #pollination #pollinator #Sabah #SeedDispersers #vegan #Viverrid
Cotton-headed Tamarin Saguinus oedipus
Cotton-headed Tamarin Saguinus oedipus
Red List Status: Critically Endangered
Locations: Colombia (regions of Atlántico, Bolívar, Sucre, and Córdoba)
Known for the characterful head crests giving adults a plucky and “punk” look, the Cotton Top #Tamarin, also known as the Cotton-headed Tamarin is a diminuitive #monkey living in the humid forests in the south to dry deciduous forest in the north of #Colombia. They are now critically endangered and face multiple serious threats from capture for primate experiments, to the illegal pet trade and deforestation for palm oil, soy, meat deforestation and the cultivation of ilicit coca. Help these spritely and remarkable tiny primates to survive, every time you shop be #Vegan and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZl0HMrgYw8
Cotton-headed #Tamarins 🐒🙈🤎 are plucky #primates from rainforests of #Colombia 🇨🇴 They are critically endangered from #palmoil #soy and #mining #deforestation. Help them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔🧐🙊⛔️ be #vegan and #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/31/cotton-headed-tamarin-saguinus-oedipus/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThe habitat of the Cotton-top Tamarin Saguinus oedipus is used for large-scale agricultural production (i.e. cattle) and farming, logging, oil palm plantations, and hydroelectric projects that fragment the cotton-top tamarin’s natural range.
Appearance and Behaviour
Cotton-top tamarins are instantly recognisable by their exuberant white crest, a tuft of hair that rises above their expressive faces like a crown. Their bodies, measuring 21 to 26 centimetres with tails stretching an additional 33 to 41 centimetres, are agile and light, weighing about 430 grams. Their fur is soft and textured, with shades of brown and cream blending seamlessly into the dappled forest light. These tamarins are highly social, living in close-knit groups of three to nine individuals. They communicate with a rich repertoire of sounds—chirps, trills, and whistles that echo through the trees as they forage and play. Their movements are quick and precise, a dance of curiosity and cooperation as they navigate the treetops, their family bonds strong and their emotional lives complex.
Threats
Palm oil and meat agriculture deforestation
The forests that cotton-top tamarins call home are vanishing at an alarming rate, stripped bare by the relentless expansion of palm oil plantations and cattle ranching. Where once there were towering trees and tangled vines, there are now rows of oil palms and open pastures. The bulldozers leave scars across the landscape, and the air is thick with the scent of burning wood and earth. For the cotton-top tamarin, each hectare lost is another fragment of their world torn away, another family group isolated and vulnerable.
Illegal pet trade and hunting
The illegal pet trade is a cruel and persistent threat. Infants are snatched from their mothers, their families torn apart, and their lives reduced to cages and loneliness. Hunting for bushmeat also takes its toll, disrupting social groups and undermining the resilience of wild populations. The silence that follows a gunshot is deafening, a reminder of the fragility of life in the forest.
Climate change and habitat fragmentation
Changing rainfall patterns and rising temperatures as a result of climate change are altering the delicate balance of the forest. Trees fruit at unpredictable times, and rivers run dry or flood unpredictably. Fragmented habitats isolate tamarin groups, reducing genetic diversity and making them more susceptible to disease and other pressures.
Diet
Cotton-top tamarins are omnivorous, their diet a vibrant reflection of the forest’s abundance. They feast on fruits, flowers, and nectar, their nimble fingers plucking delicacies from the branches. They also hunt small animal prey—frogs, snails, lizards, spiders, and insects—adding protein to their meals. In the rhythm of the forest, cotton-top tamarins play a vital role as seed dispersers, their foraging helping to regenerate the woodland and sustain the ecosystem. Their feeding is a lively affair, full of movement and interaction, as they share the bounty of the forest with their family.
Reproduction and Mating
Breeding is a cooperative affair among cotton-top tamarins. Dominant females typically give birth to one to three offspring, most often twins, after a gestation period of about 180 days. The entire group shares responsibility for caring for the young, with fathers, siblings, and other relatives all playing a role. This cooperative system strengthens social bonds and increases the chances of survival for each infant. The forest is alive with the sounds of young tamarins learning to climb and forage, their mothers guiding them through the treetops. In captivity, cotton-top tamarins can live up to 20 years, but in the wild, their lives are shaped by the challenges of a changing world.
Geographic Range
Cotton-top tamarins are found only in northwest Colombia, in the departments of Atlántico, Bolívar, Sucre, and Córdoba. Their historical range has contracted dramatically, the forests they once roamed now reduced to scattered patches. The landscape is a patchwork of green and brown, the remnants of their habitat clinging to life amid the encroachment of agriculture and urban development. The sounds of the forest—birdsong, rustling leaves, and the calls of tamarins—are a reminder of what is at stake.
FAQs
How many cotton-top tamarins are left in the wild?
Recent estimates suggest that the wild population of cotton-top tamarins numbered around 6,946 individuals in 2012, with this figure likely to have declined further as deforestation continues to fragment their habitat. The actual number may be lower, as many forest patches are now isolated and vulnerable to further loss. The cotton-top tamarin’s future is uncertain, and urgent action is needed to protect their remaining strongholds.
What is the lifespan of a cotton-top tamarin?
In the wild, cotton-top tamarins typically live shorter lives due to predation, disease, and the pressures of a changing environment. In captivity, where they are protected from many of these threats, they can live up to 20 years. Their longevity is closely tied to the health of their habitat and the stability of their social groups, both of which are under threat in the wild.
What are the main threats to the cotton-top tamarin’s survival?
The primary threats to the cotton-top tamarin are deforestation for palm oil and meat agriculture, the illegal pet trade, hunting, and habitat fragmentation. Climate change and pollution further stress their already vulnerable populations. Each of these threats is driven by human activity, and each can be addressed through collective action and advocacy.
Do cotton-top tamarins make good pets?
Cotton-top tamarins absolutely do not make good pets! They suffer extreme stress, loneliness, and early death in captivity. The illegal pet trade rips families apart and fuels extinction. Their complex social and emotional needs cannot be met in a domestic setting, and keeping them as pets is both cruel and illegal.
Take Action!
Use your wallet as a weapon and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Support indigenous-led conservation and agroecology to safeguard the forests that cotton-top tamarins call home. Reject the illegal pet trade and advocate for the protection of all wildlife. Every choice you make can help fight for their survival.
Conservation efforts for these critically endangered small primates is underway. Read more about Proyecto Tití in Colombia.
Rodríguez, V., Defler, T.R., Guzman-Caro, D., Link, A., Mittermeier, R.A., Palacios, E. & Stevenson, P.R. 2020. Saguinus oedipus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T19823A115573819. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T19823A115573819.en. Downloaded on 31 January 2021.
Masilkova, M., Weiss, A., Šlipogor, V., & Konečná, M. (2020). Comparative assessment of behaviorally derived personality structures in golden-handed tamarins (Saguinus midas), cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus), and common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus). Journal of Comparative Psychology, 134(4), 453–466. https://doi.org/10.1037/com0000226
Savage, A., et al. (2016). An assessment of the population of cotton-top tamarins (Saguinus oedipus) and their habitat in Colombia. PLOS ONE, 11(12), e0168324. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0168324
Cotton-headed Tamarin Saguinus oedipus
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Enter your email address
Sign Up
Join 1,398 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support#BanPrimateExperiments #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Colombia #CottonHeadedTamarinSaguinusOedipus #crime #CriticallyEndangeredSpecies #deforestation #illegalPetTrade #Mammal #mining #monkey #monkeys #omnivore #omnivores #palmoil #Primate #primates #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #soy #tamarin #Tamarins #vegan
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