Our local zoo recently welcomed a new pair of primates on exhibit: white-handed gibbons. Native to southeast Asia, gibbons are known for their brachiation movement, swinging arm over arm to quickly sail through the treetops. At the grand opening, our zoo director told the crowd that likely within our lifetime the only white-handed gibbons left in the world will be those found in captivity.  Habitat loss is the cause.

Our zoo is also using this occasion to change the "theming" of the zoo. Signage around the exhibits, rather than primarily providing information on the species, will now focus on global conservation issues and what zoo visitors--young and old alike--can do about it. Consequently, the bright new sign by the gibbon exhibit explains about palm oil production, the very practice which is causing the deforestation of the gibbon habitat. The sign displays many of the common products, available in the US, which use palm oil. You might think the zoo was trying to spark a boycott. Of course the zoo's new signage is in large part paid for by corporate sponsors, but rather than view this arrangement ironically, I think its a good indication of how manufacturers and conservationists can work together to get the word out about care for God's creation. 

Unilever PLC, an Anglo-Dutch company, is the world's biggest consumer of palm oil. (They produce Dove soap, Magnum ice cream, and Vaseline lotions.)  In this issue of the Prayer Digest, rather than railing against the corporate giants, we'll be praying for them, fanning the embers of their conservation-consciousness, applauding them for what seems like a genuine effort to make palm oil production less destructive.

 

Link: white-handed gibbons page on ARKive