New “War On Nature” Short Film: Big Palm Oil vs Leuser Ecosystem
In this episode of War on Nature, conservation photojournalist Paul Hilton travels deep into the Leuser Ecosystem in Sumatra, Indonesia, to witness the devastating impact of palm oil expansion on one of the last truly wild places on Earth.
The Leuser Ecosystem is the only place on the planet where elephants, tigers, orangutans, and rhinos still coexist in the wild. But this critical rainforest is under growing threat from deforestation, illegal land clearing, and wildlife poaching.
Joining Paul is Farwiza Farhan, a globally recognized conservation activist and TIME100 honoree celebrated for her work protecting the forests of Sumatra. Together, they investigate the destruction happening within and around Gunung Leuser National Park, exposing the environmental cost of unsustainable palm oil production and the ongoing fight to defend endangered wildlife habitats.
What will it take to save one of Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystems before it disappears forever?
The Leuser Ecosystem is one of the world’s most important rainforests—a vital refuge for critically endangered species and an irreplaceable part of our planet’s natural heritage. Without stronger protection, these forests and the wildlife they support could vanish within our lifetime.
Global Conservation works to protect endangered national parks and UNESCO World Heritage Sites in developing countries through its Global Park Defense program, enabling “No Cut, No Kill” protection in some of the world’s most critical ecosystems.
