"Hitchcock" Orangutan 16 x 20 Colored Pencil Black Colourfix Paper A finalist in The Artist's Magazine 2009 Art Competition. BEST IN SHOW: 2008 CPSA Dallas Chapter Exhibit, Eisemann Center, Dallas Texas.
© 2009 All colored pencil images on these pages are the copyright property of Leslie Evans, All Rights Reserved and not to be used without permission of the artist.

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Leslie Helena Evans on the orangutan's struggle for survival:

"Palm oil is ubiquitous and in huge demand around the world. It's paving the way for the biofuel revolution in Europe and America and is used to make biodiesel. Palm oil is also in a variety of snack foods we consume and personal products we use on a daily basis.

"Man's insatiable greed for this substance is creating a dire situation for Bornean and Sumatran orangutans. Despite plenty of deforested land already being available, palm oil cultivation is increasing and at current rates will lead to a 98% loss of orangutan jungle habitat by 2022. These forests are home to not only orangutans, but also Sumatran rhinos, pygmy elephants, clouded leopards, snow bears, leaf monkeys and other species verging on the brink of extinction.

"Orangutan reproduction is a very slow process since females do not mature until age 7 to 10 and only give birth to a single baby. Young orangutans are not weaned until age 6-7 years. Unfortunately, if a juvenile becomes a victim of poachers for the pet or meat trade, this also means that their mother has been killed as well.

"What even more reasons to care about orangutans? Contrary to popular scientific belief, orangs may even be more closely related to man than chimpanzees. No matter what one believes, however, the red ape is very special and deserves a chance for survival! Please check out the orangutan site below and those on my links page to learn more about their plight."