The use of palm oil in foods and cosmetics (think handmade soap) has become a huge concern for many environmental activists, as the cultivation of the plant has lead to large scale deforestation. In parts of Indonesia and Malaysia, the clearing of forests has caused significant losses of the natural habitat of the orangutan. Both species of orangutan are classified as endangered, although the Sumatran orangutan is listed as critically endangered.
The use of palm oil in foods and cosmetics (think handmade soap) has become a huge concern for many environmental activists, as the cultivation of the plant has lead to large scale deforestation. In parts of Indonesia and Malaysia, the clearing of forests has caused significant losses of the natural habitat of the orangutan. Both species of orangutan are classified as endangered, although the Sumatran orangutan is listed as critically endangered.
