International Orangutan Day highlights the direct effects of our actions on the gentle giants of the treetops. Their actual populations have dwindled over the past 60 years, with over half being lost largely due to the encroachment of the palm oil industry in their native habitats like Borneo and Sumatra.
Worrying still, we have to consider that their numbers might be lower than what we know, with the rapid clearing of forests for palm oil plantations. This day serves as a call to action - to individuals, communities, and policymakers - to seriously address the dire situation these forest dwellers face in their homes.
By observing this day, we're reminded of the interplay of different life forms on our planet and why biodiversity matters for the health of our Earth.
Fun Facts about Orangutans
Orangutans are the world's largest arboreal mammals. They spend 90% of their time in trees, using their long arms to swing from branch to branch.
These red apes can use tools in the wild, such as sticks, to extract honey or insects from trees and learn sign language.
Female orangutans have the longest interbirth interval of any land mammal. Female orangutans give birth to one baby at a time and wait up to eight years between pregnancies.
In its latest reports, the IUCN Red List continued to categorize the three orangutan species (Bornean, Sumatran, Tapanuli) as Critically Endangered.
The Bornean Orangutan population has experienced a devastating decrease of over 60% from 1950 to 2010, with a predicted extra decline of 22% by 2025, marking a total loss of more than 82% within only three generations1.
The estimated population of Sumatran Orangutans is 13,846, and 98.5% live in protected areas2.
Since 1985, the population of the Tapanuli Orangutan—the least numerous of all great ape species—has alarmingly dwindled from an estimated 1,489 to less than 800 in 2016, with projections dipping to just 257 individuals by 20603.
Conservation Initiatives
The Borneo Orangutan Survival (BOS) Foundation focuses on rescuing, rehabilitating, and reintroducing orangutans into the wild. They also work on habitat conservation and education initiatives to raise awareness about the plight of orangutans.
Orangutan Foundation International (OFI) conserves orangutans and their habitat. OFI runs an orphan care center in Borneo and conducts extensive research on orangutans.
The Orangutan Project (TOP) protects orangutans and preserves their habitat. They fund projects focusing on rescue and rehabilitation, habitat protection, and community partnerships.
Orangutan Outreach protects orangutans through rescue, rehabilitation, release programs, public awareness campaigns, and rainforest conservation initiatives.
The UNEP launched the Great Apes Survival Partnership (GRASP) in 2001 to ensure the long-term survival of orangutans and other great apes and their natural habitat in both Africa and Asia.
Characteristics
Paperwhites, a type of Narcissus, bring a delightful fragrance to the Winter season.
These dainty, white flowers with golden-yellow centers emerge in clusters atop slender green stems.
Paperwhites are cherished for their sweet and intoxicating scent, making them a favourite for indoor forcing during the Winter.
Care Tips
Planting: Plant bulbs in well-draining soil, leaving the tips exposed.
Sunlight: Provide ample sunlight for robust growth, placing them near a sunny window.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogged conditions to prevent bulb rot.
Ten years ago, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed this holiday to honor and raise awareness of the importance of all types of forests. You can celebrate by taking a walk in your favorite forest or taking action to protect the forests you love.
Every year, the International Dark Sky Association promotes International Dark Sky Week to raise awareness about the negative impacts of light pollution and to celebrate the wonders of our starry skies.
You'll love the early burst of color from winter jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum), a fast-growing evergreen shrubby plant that's native to Tibet and China. This cold-weather perennial offers an abundance of creamy-yellow flowers that bloom on bare stems in January or February. While it is the hardiest member of the jasmine family, it is not fragrant.
জরায়ু (Uterus):
এটি একটি মাংসল অঙ্গ। পেটের হাইপোকন্ডিয়াক অঞ্চলে, মূত্রাশয়ের পিছে ও রেক্টামের সম্মুখে অবস্থিত। গর্ভধারণের পর জরায়ু বিশাল আকার ধারণ করে ও পাতলা হয়। স্বাভাবিক অবস্থায় এর আয়তন ৩ * ২ * ১ ইঞ্চি।
এর তিনটি অংশ:
১) ফান্ডাস (Fundus),
২) বডি (Body),
৩) সার্ভিক্স (Cervix )
জরায়ুর ভিতরের আবরণী কলাকে এন্ডোমেট্রিয়াম (Endometrium) বলে, যা মাসিকের সময় ধ্বংস হয় ও পরে পুনরুজ্জীবিত হয়।
কাজ:
১) বাচ্চা ধারণ করে,
২) মাসিকের সময় এন্ডোমেট্রিয়াম ধ্বংস করে রক্তের সাথে বের করে দেয়।
যোনী (Vegina):
এটি একটি মাংসল অঙ্গ যা প্রসারিত হতে পারে। এর গায়ে অনেক গ্রন্থি আছে যা থেকে রস নিঃসরণ হয়। সঙ্গমের সময় এতে পুরুষাঙ্গ প্রবিষ্ট হয়। এটি যোনিমুখ থেকে সার্ভিক্রা পর্যন্ত বিস্তৃত। এর পিছনে পায়ুপথ ও মলাশয় থাকে।
প্রথম অংশটা এখানে দেখুন স্ত্রী লোকের অন্তঃ প্রজনন অঙ্গ সমূহ (Internal Female Genitalia)
The South American Orinoco crocodile, a notable inhabitant of Venezuela's and Colombia's river basins, is a titan among reptiles. Male counterparts stretch up to 14 feet long, ranking them among the earth's biggest crocodile species.
Their sandy hues, aptly designed for the riverine backdrop, assist in maintaining an element of surprise when hunting prey. Their physical attribute of a long, slender snout is crafted for capturing fish. However, as opportunistic feeders, they can also occasionally consume small mammals, reptiles, and even caimans.
Over-hunting in the early to mid-1900s led to an alarming reduction of over 80% in the Orinoco Crocodile population. Today, trade is blocked, and over-exploitation isn't a significant threat. However, illegal harvest, habitat fragmentation, pollution, and riverside development still pose considerable threats.
Sadly, with approximately 250 mature individuals remaining, Orinoco Crocodiles are endangered.
International Orangutan Day highlights the direct effects of our actions on the gentle giants of the treetops. Their actual populations have dwindled over the past 60 years, with over half being lost largely due to the encroachment of the palm oil industry in their native habitats like Borneo and Sumatra.
Worrying still, we have to consider that their numbers might be lower than what we know, with the rapid clearing of forests for palm oil plantations. This day serves as a call to action - to individuals, communities, and policymakers - to seriously address the dire situation these forest dwellers face in their homes.
By observing this day, we're reminded of the interplay of different life forms on our planet and why biodiversity matters for the health of our Earth.
Fun Facts about Orangutans
Orangutans are the world's largest arboreal mammals. They spend 90% of their time in trees, using their long arms to swing from branch to branch.
These red apes can use tools in the wild, such as sticks, to extract honey or insects from trees and learn sign language.
Female orangutans have the longest interbirth interval of any land mammal. Female orangutans give birth to one baby at a time and wait up to eight years between pregnancies.
Winter season is when most root vegetables and oranges are in season. Some other fruits and veggies, like onions, parsnips, cabbage, carrots, and Florida-grown tomatoes, can survive the winter season.
Despite existing protective laws, hunters often target zebras for their skins and meat. Climate change further exacerbates the challenges for zebras, who struggle with drought and extreme heat waves, jeopardizing their food and water sources.
Moreover, urbanization, agriculture, and deforestation affect zebra habitats, increasing conflicts between humans and zebras.
International Zebra Day aims to raise awareness about what these creatures face, and by doing so, it calls everyone to action. Learn more about facts, the latest data, and global initiatives that can help you with the cause below.
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