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Colleen Roy

Dr. Pearl

SLA 150: Faith Religion and Society

25 April 2019

Catholic Social Teaching and The Protection of Orangutans

Introduction and Overview

Wildlife conservation is not a new debate in the world, but it is a more prevalent issue

today due to the increasing decline in environmental stability. Species that once flourished in

natural rainforests and clean oceans are now hanging on the edge of extinction. While there are

major support groups in place that help to provide protection, the issue of endangered species is

only going to rise unless a major change is made. Currently, this change needs to be focused on

the improvement of “habitat management and law enforcement” (Wilson, Howard B., et al) to

ensure no more “further population declines” (Wilson, Howard B., et al). The change must come

from the hearts of the human population, recognizing and taking action on the protection of our

home and all of its inhabitants.

One species in particular that is on the brink of disappearing is the orangutan. “Fluffy,

orange and endearing, orangutans have won the hearts of people all over the world” (Zander,

Kerstin K., et al.). Orangutans are at times misunderstood by the human population as just

another species of apes. In reality, they “are extremely patient and kind mammals”, very

“observant and inquisitive” (“Orangutan Facts.”). Currently though, according to the World Wild

Life organization, Sumatran orangutans, who are a subspecies of orangutans, are considered to

be critically endangered, which is only one step above extinction. There are only 14,613 of this

species left in the world today. Their close relative, the Bornean orangutan is currently
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endangered as well, and well on its way to becoming critically endangered. The newest

subspecies is the Tapanuli orangutan, which is already critically endangered after being

announced in November 2017. “The Tapanuli orangutan is the more endangered of all great

apes” (“Orangutan.”). These beautiful creatures are a close relative to the human species,

typically found in tropical and subtropical rainforests. They are “almost exclusively arboreal,

living among the trees of tropical rainforests” (“Sumatran Orangutan.”). Sumatran orangutans

are a subgroup of orangutans that “have longer facial hair” and “are reported to have closer

social bonds than their Bornean cousins” (“Orangutan.”). Despite these differences, both

Sumatran and Bornean orangutans are endangered to some extent, experiencing “sharp

population declines” (“Orangutan.”) in recent years. The World Wild Life organization uses a

geographic range to estimate the level of endangerment to a species. There used to be “more than

230,000 orangutans”, but now, there are estimated to be “about 104,700” Bornean orangutans,

“about 13,846” Sumatran orangutans, and “about 800” Tapanuli orangutans. Based on these

numbers and the range scale used, Bornean orangutans are endangered, and the Sumatran and

Tapanuli orangutans are critically endangered. Both have grim futures if the path we are on right

now is going to continue.

One major reason for the dramatic decline in orangutan population is “rainforest habitats

disappearing at an alarming rate due to deforestation and clearing of the land for pulp paper and

palm oil plantations” (“Orangutan Facts.”). There may be other natural factors, like drought and

forest fires. While hunting can be an issue for orangutans, it is more of a lack of habitat as “this

species depends on quality forests” (“Sumatran Orangutan.”). The IUCN, International Union for

Conservation of Nature, recently announced this month that they are “deeply concerned about

ongoing and new threats to the Critically Endangered Tapanuli orangutan”, which as mentioned
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above, is the newest and most endangered subspecies of orangutan. This issue of deforestation is

even confirmed to be a problem in Laudato Si’, an encyclical written by Pope Francis. He says,

“because of us, thousands of species will no longer give glory to God by their very existence”

and “the great majority become extinct for reasons related to human activity” (“Laudato Si'”). He

realized that this deforestation and clearing of land for human use, was only increasing the

number of endangered species around the world, including that of the orangutan. Logging is a

big issue in relation to Another major reason for the decline of orangutans has to do with their

reproductive rate. The incredibly low reproductive rate of females giving “birth to one infant at a

time about every 3-5 years” (“Orangutan.”), makes it very difficult for this species to “recover

from population declines” (“Sumatran Orangutan.”). This low reproductive rate combined with

pressure added from a rapidly increasing human population makes it near impossible for this

species to survive. As mentioned above, hunting can also be an issue for orangutans “because

they’re large and slow targets” (“Orangutan.”). Once captured, the orangutans are typically either

killed “food or in retaliation when they move into agricultural areas and destroy crops”

(“Orangutan.”). Orangutans are not malicious creatures, and more times than not, they are just

looking to find food or a safe place to call home. If the orangutans are found with their babies,

the babies are typically taken into captivity and are “kept as pets” (“Orangutan.”). This keeping

and trading of orangutans often results in the offspring’s death. So, although deforestation due to

natural causes like forest fires can be a common reason for the decline in orangutan population,

the impact of the human population has a much more lasting impact.

According to research presented thus far, support for orangutans is seemingly the obvious

choice, but there are reasons the human population may be against it. One of the main reasons, is

that the humans have a lack of understanding of the purpose of orangutans in their lives.
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According to research conducted by that compared domestic and international respondents

questioned about the saving of the orangutans, there was a consensus that these creatures

deserved to be saved and protected. Where the two differed, was in the supporting of wild vs

wildlife park orangutans. The domestic tourists “were more likely to agree that it did not matter

if wild orangutans became extinct because there were enough in wildlife parks” (Zander, Kerstin

K., et al.). The research also showed that “more domestic than international respondents agreed

that orangutans were hard to see in the wild, so it is better to spend more money to keep them in

wildlife parks” (Zander, Kerstin K., et al.). Both of these concerns paint a clear picture of how

the human population thinks about matters of concern in relation to the environment. It also

shows that humans are not always in favor of the seemingly right thing if there is no personal

benefit involved. This research also showed that while “sixty percent of respondents were willing

to pay for orangutan conservation in principle”, there is another forty percent that did not find it

worth paying to protect this endangered species. Some of the reasons for not paying included

feeling like “the Malaysian Government should pay for orangutan conservation”, doubting “that

money would be passed effectively”, and some thought “that there is already enough money for

the conservation of orangutans” (Zander, Kerstin K., et al.). This research confirms that there are

reasons for a lack of support for the endangered species of the world, including orangutans.

Thoughts of Catholic Social Teaching

According to Catholic Social Teaching, the protection of endangered species is not only

encouraged, but is expected. The main principles that support their protection are the care for our

common home and the common good. The care for our common home principle is based on the

recognition of earth as a treasure created by God. In St. Francis’ Canticle, he exclaims “all praise

be yours, my Lord, through Sister Earth, our Mother, who feeds us in her sovereignty and
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produces various fruits with colored flowers and herbs”. St. Francis not only recognized the

value of the Earth, but also felt so compelled by its value that he gave thanks to the Lord for

allowing humans the opportunity to experience it’s fruits and flowers. Even from the beginning

of bible in Genesis, it is made clear that that “God created the heavens and the earth” (NIV Bible,

Genesis 1:1). The CST acknowledges that the earth is our common home and needs to be

protected and defended, which includes not only the physical earth, but also all of its inhabitants.

When the environment is given the attention it deserves, the quality of life of the thousands of

species will greatly improve. The principle of the common good is highly regarded in the

protection of endangered species as well. It clearly states that “we must strive to not only do

what is good for ourselves, but what is good for our neighbor, our country, and our world” (Class

notes, 3/28). Laudato Si’ is an encyclical written by Pope Francis, as mentioned above. This

encyclical and many others are what make up a portion of the CST. Laudato Si’ confirms that

“everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus needs to be joined to a sincere love

for our fellow human beings and an unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of

society”. The environment is common ground between the human population and the different

species around the world. Supporting the common ground therefore ensures that the common

good is being provided for all of the inhabitants of earth. A major portion of Laudato Si’ is

section three titled “Loss of Biodiversity”. In this section, Pope Francis goes into detail about

how the lack of care for the environment has led to this problem of endangered species.

Specifically, he says, “the loss of forests and woodlands entails the loss of species which may

constitute extremely important resources in the future, not only for food, but also for curing

disease and other uses”. There is a way for humans and animal species to live symbiotically,

working to help each other rather than against each other. “Each year sees the disappearance of
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thousands of plant and animal species” (“Laudato Si'”), that the future generations will never

know. The CST and research confirm that endangered species, like the orangutan, have a

purpose here on this earth as God took the time to create each and everything on the earth.

Orangutans play “a vital role in seed dispersal in their habitats”, which gives them the proper

nickname of “gardeners of the forest” (“Sumatran Orangutan.”). It is the duty of the humans to

protect the earth not only for the sake of the different animal species, but also for the sake of the

planet itself, and for the sake of human beings themselves.

Personal Opinion

Endangered species are truthfully new ground for me, but quickly through extensive

research, have become quite a passion. I had no idea that so many species of animals, ranging

from orangutans to sea turtles to even tigers, are in such danger if being gone forever.

Orangutans are a very close relative to the human population, they “share 96.4% of our genes

and are highly intelligent creatures” (“Orangutan.”). In my opinion, God knew exactly what he

was doing when he created each and every being and species that is on the planet. He took the

time to establish each species with their own unique and necessary purpose. We as humans have

tried to take matters into our own hands, implementing our own agenda. As Pope Francis says,

“in the absence of objective truths or sound principles other than the satisfaction of our own

desires or immediate needs, what limits can be placed on human trafficking, organized crime”

(“Laudato Si'”), or any other horrible thing. Humans have taken advantage of all of the blessings

of the earth granted to us by God, and due to this lack of care and respect, our planet and all of

the vital species of the earth, are suffering. I am in complete agreeance with the CST in that I

believe that the protection and support of these endangered species is crucial to our society and

our success here on the planet. Orangutans are a vital part of our tropical rainforests as
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mentioned above, and with the extinction of this species, there will only be more species to

follow. There is no reason that we, the human species, cannot coexist with other species in a way

that benefits everyone involved.

Works Cited:

“IUCN Calls for a Moratorium on Projects Impacting the Critically Endangered Tapanuli

Orangutan.” IUCN, 16 Apr. 2019, www.iucn.org/news/secretariat/201904/iucn-calls-a-

moratorium-projects-impacting-critically-endangered-tapanuli-orangutan.

“Laudato Si'” (24 May 2015) | Pope Francis.

w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-

francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html.

NIV Bible- Bible Study Tools, https://www.biblestudytools.com

“Orangutan.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/species/orangutan.

“Orangutan Facts.” Orangutan Facts - The Orangutan Project,

www.theorangutanproject.org/about-orangutans/orangutan-facts/.

“Sumatran Orangutan.” WWF, World Wildlife Fund, www.worldwildlife.org/species/sumatran-

orangutan.

Wilson, Howard B., et al. “Conservation Strategies for Orangutans: Reintroduction versus
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Habitat Preservation and the Benefits of Sustainability Logged Forest.” Plos One, vol9,

no. 7, July 2014, p. e102174. EBSCOhost, doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0102174.

Zander, Kerstin K., et al. “Wild and Valuable? Tourist Values for Orang-Utan Conservation in

Sarawak.” Conservation and Society, vol. 12, no. 1, 2014, pp.27-42. JSTOR,

www.jstor.org/stable/26393140.