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The monthly report of the work done by Debian LTS contributors in November is now available at - https://www.freexian.com/blog/debian-lts-report-2024-11/
This work is funded by Freexian's Debian LTS offering.Your organization too can sponsor the Debian LTS (https://www.freexian.com/lts/debian/) and join the esteemed list of sponsors in the monthly report.
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We document the work done each month by Debian LTS contributors, funded by Freexian's Debian LTS offering.
The monthly report for August is published and is available at - https://www.freexian.com/blog/debian-lts-report-2024-08/
Your organization too can sponsor the Debian LTS offering (https://www.freexian.com/lts/debian/) and join the esteemed list of sponsors in the monthly report.
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🎉 Joomla! 5.4.6 (bug fixes) Release Candidate is out
https://github.com/joomla/joomla-cms/releases/tag/5.4.6-rc1
Please test the release candidate 🙏
The stable release is planned for Tuesday May 26 2026
Many thanks to all contributors and testers ❤️
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🎉 Joomla! 5.4.6 (bug fixes) Release Candidate is out
https://github.com/joomla/joomla-cms/releases/tag/5.4.6-rc1
Please test the release candidate 🙏
The stable release is planned for Tuesday May 26 2026
Many thanks to all contributors and testers ❤️
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🎉 Joomla! 5.4.6 (bug fixes) Release Candidate is out
https://github.com/joomla/joomla-cms/releases/tag/5.4.6-rc1
Please test the release candidate 🙏
The stable release is planned for Tuesday May 26 2026
Many thanks to all contributors and testers ❤️
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🎉 Joomla! 5.4.6 (bug fixes) Release Candidate is out
https://github.com/joomla/joomla-cms/releases/tag/5.4.6-rc1
Please test the release candidate 🙏
The stable release is planned for Tuesday May 26 2026
Many thanks to all contributors and testers ❤️
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🎉 Joomla! 5.4.6 (bug fixes) Release Candidate is out
https://github.com/joomla/joomla-cms/releases/tag/5.4.6-rc1
Please test the release candidate 🙏
The stable release is planned for Tuesday May 26 2026
Many thanks to all contributors and testers ❤️
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Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Found in the Andean cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,800 metres.
One of the cutest #mammals recently discovered is already at risk. With their bear-like faces, cat-like bodies, and lush tawny fur, the olinguito Bassaricyon neblina is an adorable button-nosed mammal of #Ecuador and #Colombia. They first made themselves known to the western world in 2006 in Ecuador and were officially described in 2013 and are considered ‘Near Threatened’ mainly from deforestation and forest clearing for #palmoil agriculture along with road building, infrastructure and gold mining throughout their range. Native to the misty cloud forests of the northern Andes, they are increasingly threatened by industrial agribusiness, palm oil plantations, and agriculture. Over 40% of their habitat has already been destroyed. Use your wallet as a weapon: always choose #palmoilfree products and be #vegan to help protect olinguitos and other species of the Andean Cloud Forest#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
#Olinguitos are button-nosed #mammals 😻🦦 of the Cloud Forests in #Ecuador 🇪🇨 and #Colombia 🇨🇴 Their lives are threatened by #goldmining 🥇 #meat 🥩and #palmoil 🌴 #deforestation. Help them! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterDiscovered not long ago, #Olinguitos are #bear-like tenacious survivors. Despite hiding well, their forests are rapidly disappearing for #palmoil and #meat agriculture. Help them survive! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & Behaviour
The olinguito is reminiscent of teddy bear and a domestic cat, with thick, soft, russet and tawny coloured fur, a short snout with a button-like nose, small ears, and a long fluffy tail used for balance in the treetops. Typically weighing under one kilogram, they are the smallest member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). Nocturnal and arboreal, they live high in the forest canopy and are rarely seen. Solitary by nature, they are also reclusive and actively avoid human interaction.
Threats
Despite being classified as Near Threatened, there are no known large-scale conservation programmes or protected areas specifically designed to safeguard the olinguito or their habitat. Many of the forests where they live are under private ownership or are unprotected, leaving them at the mercy of logging companies, agribusiness, and illegal land grabs. Without legal safeguards and ecological corridors between forest remnants, olinguito populations will continue to decline unnoticed. Over 42% of their potential range has already been cleared or degraded for mining and agriculture.
Widespread deforestation of Andean cloud forests for agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure
Much of the olinguito’s Andean cloud forest habitat has already been cleared for cattle pasture, coffee plantations, and crop fields. This is especially concerning given the species’ limited elevational range and dependence on specific microclimates. Habitat loss fragments populations and prevents them from moving between forest patches, leading to genetic isolation and increased vulnerability. According to Helgen et al. (2013), 42% of the olinguito’s historical range has already been lost to agriculture and urban development.
Palm oil and timber plantations rapidly consuming native forest habitat.
Large swathes of cloud forest are being destroyed to establish oil palm and timber plantations. These monocultures are ecological deserts that offer no food or shelter for frugivorous mammals like the olinguito. Although oil palm expansion is often focused in lowland regions, it is encroaching into higher elevations in parts of Colombia and Ecuador due to market demand and land speculation. This spells danger for highland endemics like the olinguito, whose misty habitat is already shrinking.
Urbanisation and road development, fragmenting their canopy habitat
As human populations expand into previously remote areas, forest is cleared for roads, settlements, and industrial development. Even if some patches of cloud forest remain, roads cut through ecosystems, isolating wildlife and increasing mortality from vehicle collisions. Urban sprawl also brings dogs and other invasive species that can harass, predate, or outcompete native animals. The olinguito’s canopy-dependent, arboreal lifestyle makes it especially susceptible to the effects of fragmentation and edge habitat.
Climate change, which threatens the stability of montane ecosystems.
Cloud forests are highly sensitive to temperature and moisture changes. As global temperatures rise, the delicate balance of mist, rainfall, and cool air that defines this biome is shifting. Suitable habitat may move upslope, but mountaintops provide a limited refuge. Once a species is pushed beyond its climatic limit, local extinction becomes inevitable. The olinguito already lives at the uppermost altitudes suitable for its survival, making it dangerously vulnerable to climate-induced habitat contraction.
Geographic Range
Olinguitos live in humid montane forests between 1,500 and 2,800 metres in elevation in western Colombia and Ecuador, including forests near Medellín in Colombia and the Otonga Forest Reserve in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This species occupies the highest known range of any member of the genus Bassaricyon. Though only officially recognised in 2013, museum specimens had been mislabelled for decades prior to that.
Diet
Despite belonging to the carnivoran order, olinguitos are primarily frugivores. They feed on cloud forest fruits such as figs, as well as insects, nectar, and occasionally small vertebrates like birds and lizards. Their faeces are said to resemble small blueberries due to their fruit-heavy diet.
Mating and Reproduction
Very little is known about the reproductive behaviour of the olinguito, but it is believed they produce a single offspring at a time. Females have one pair of mammae. Their solitary lifestyle and canopy-based habits make studying them in the wild extremely difficult.
FAQs
How many olinguitos are left in the wild?
No population estimates exist for the olinguito, but scientists agree numbers are declining. Habitat modelling shows over 60% of their potential habitat is already deforested or degraded, suggesting a significant threat to survival (Helgen et al., 2013).
What is the lifespan of an olinguito?
Captive individuals like Ringerl—an olinguito unknowingly housed in US zoos for years—lived over a decade. Wild lifespan is presumed to be shorter, but specific data are lacking.
What are the main threats to the olinguito?
The biggest threats are deforestation and habitat loss driven by palm oil plantations, agriculture, and urbanisation. These activities have destroyed over 40% of their cloud forest habitat (Helgen et al., 2013). Climate change is also a growing concern due to their dependence on cool, moist mountain forests.
Do olinguitos make good pets?
No. Olinguitos are solitary, nocturnal, and specialised to live in misty canopy forests. Keeping them as pets is cruel and contributes to wildlife trafficking. Their capture disrupts family groups and decimates populations. If you care about olinguitos, do not fuel demand—speak out against the pet trade.
Take Action!
Olinguitos are an emblem of the hidden biodiversity in the world’s cloud forests—ecosystems that are vanishing fast.
- Boycott palm oil and demand truly forest-free alternatives.
- Support indigenous-led agroecology and forest protection efforts in the Andes.
- Refuse meat and dairy that drives deforestation in Colombia and Ecuador.
- Never support zoos or exotic pet collectors that remove wildlife from their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat
Support the Olinguito by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Helgen, K. M., Pinto, C. M., Kays, R., Helgen, L. E., Tsuchiya, M. T. N., Quinn, A., Wilson, D. E., & Maldonado, J. E. (2013). Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the olinguito. ZooKeys, 324, 1–83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.324.5827
Helgen, K., Kays, R., Pinto, C., Schipper, J. & González-Maya, J.F. 2020. Bassaricyon neblina (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T48637280A166523067. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T48637280A166523067.en. Accessed on 02 May 2025.
Lee, T. E., Tinoco, N., Allred, F. G., Hennecke, A., Camacho, M. A., & Burneo, S. F. (2022). Small mammals of Otonga Forest Reserve, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The Southwestern Naturalist, 66(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-66.1.48
NBC News. (2013, August 16). ‘Cutest new animal’ discovered: It’s an olinguito! https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Olinguito. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 May 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olinguito
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
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Join 3,180 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Read moreMel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Read moreAnthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Read moreHealth Physician Dr Evan Allen
Read moreThe World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
Read moreHow do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
Read more3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
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Keep readingLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more #animals #Bear #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #carnivores #coffee #Colombia #deforestation #Ecuador #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #goldmining #hunting #infrastructure #Mammal #mammals #meat #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #NearThreatenedSpecies #NearThreatened #nocturnal #OlinguitoBassaricyonNeblina #Olinguitos #omnivore #omnivores #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #palmoilfree #poaching #roads #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #vegan #VulnerableSpecies -
#OTel is for everyone...even other open source projects! Find out how #Dapr contributors improved tracing observability with #OpenTelemetry.
https://opentelemetry.io/blog/2026/dapr-workflow-observability/
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“Catching Computer Crooks”, Popular Mechanics, 1984The image at the top of this blog is, from what I can find, the first stock image photo of a hacker in a ski mask that ever appeared in print, carrying on a visual association between hackers and bank robbers or safe crackers that has continued since 1969.
How tropes and stereotypes originated and became perpetuated in the media is one of the main focuses of the realhackhistory project.
Illustration from “Superzapping in Computer Land”, TIME Magazine, January 12th, 1981We can be almost certain of being wrong about the future, if we are wrong about the past.
Gilbert K. Chesterton
Before I try to define what this website and the associated YouTube and Mastodon accounts are all about I want to discuss what they aren’t.
This history research, documentation and analysis project is not about trying to dox hackers from the past, reveal secrets that could get people into legal peril or fuel hacking scene gossip. I’m not interested in when Java was invented or the anniversary of the first web browser being created here either though, we are talking about hackers. The ‘darkside’.
This project is about documenting the history of people like Neal Patrick in the video below, who became the face of hacking in 1983 after being raided by the authorities, along with his hacking group the 414s.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dA3NuQdhu5U
Behind the blogs, the YouTube videos, FOIA documents, clips of funny hacker related TV shows or movies and the memes, realhackhistory is a genuine desire to keep the knowledge and stories of hackers of the past alive and provide some lessons that can still help people interested in hacking today.
I envision realhackhistory as a trail of breadcrumbs to help get you started on your way to understanding the past, and hopefully the present, of hacking better. Think of this as digital archaeology, if it makes it all sound cooler.
Information on the Internet is frequently wrong
If we start with some basic questions such as “what was the first computer virus?” or “when was the first denial of service attack?” and plug them into your search engine of choice you’ll start to notice something.
It isn’t that there are conflicting answers, some of these questions hinge on a subjective understanding of details such as what defines a computer virus, what operating system did it function on, what language was it coded in, etc. No, you start to notice how many answers that are clearly wrong are stated emphatically as fact.
We need an example, right? Let’s analyse this text below, from the online version of Encyclopedia Britannica:
The first documented DoS-style attack occurred during the week of February 7, 2000, when “mafiaboy,” a 15-year-old Canadian hacker, orchestrated a series of DoS attacks against several e-commerce sites, including Amazon and eBay.
Encyclopedia Britannica, “denial of service attack” entry
Let’s unpack this. While it is true that mafiaboy carried out a widely reported on campaign of distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks against high profile websites in 2000. This was not the first distributed denial of service attack and definitely not the first denial of service attack either.
Mafiaboy, an aficionado, but not originator, of denial of service attacksDistributed denial of service attacks, called “Net Strikes” by participants, were organised by hacktivists in the mid 90’s against French government websites which involved getting people to manually refresh those websites at a set time. There was also a huge DDoS attack against Manhattan based ISP Panix in September of 1996.
The first denial of service attack over a computer network is widely believed to have been in 1974, when someone discovered a way to use a newly introduced feature in TUTOR to lock up other PLATO terminals remotely at CERL, the Computer-based Education Research Laboratory, at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
It doesn’t necessarily matter that there may have been other denial of service attacks before 1974, what matters I think is that the first denial of service attack was definitely not in 2000 and that this is incorrect information being presented as fact.
How did this clearly wrong history sneak into an encyclopedia? I would suspect the loop of incorrect information that begins to be circulated online and eventually becomes, through copying, regurgitation and repetition, accepted fact. Nobody bothers to go back to original sources, lazy journalism becomes grist for a slew of blogs which eventually becomes part of a reference book and then accepted fact.
Incorporating AI into search engines will only make this problem worse, if the average of all the information about the history of hacking is a bunch of copypasta in infosec marketing or lazy journalism then that is what the AI search function will regurgitate. Garbage in, garbage out.
Tracing attitudes to hackers in pop culture
Hackers were not always demonised, hacking was not always a part of pop culture and the word “hacker” itself was not widely used to describe anything other than a bad golfer until mid 1983. I’ve written a whole blog on the topic.
The ‘Whiz Kids’, from the 1983 TV show of the same name about teens who solve mysteries with the aid of computers, social engineering and hackingWe can look at how journalists wrote about hacking and hackers in the past and how hackers evolved as character archetypes and hacking became a trope in movies and television.
We can chart the way hackers are viewed, from novelty or curiosity through to menace and then back to heroic anti-heroes before lately becoming a facet of shadowy criminal gangs, as the view of hackers as professionalised “cybercriminals” takes hold in the public imagination.
The German poster for 1983’s WarGames, a movie about hacking in which the word “hacker” is never usedThe 90’s saw an explosion of hacker and hacking related movies as people became unable to ignore the rise of the internet and computers became a part of every day life. I made a YouTube video about one such movie, The Net.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug3-h7nYV0Q
Hacker related documentaries, news segments and TV specials created by non-hackers provide a fascinating snapshot of the attitudes towards hackers and how hacking touched on current events at the time the documentary was filmed. I’ve put as many as I can find from over the years up on my YouTube channel.
Preserving & promoting hacker culture
While a lot of people have heard of 2600 Magazine, or the phrack e-zine, there is a lot more hacker culture created by hackers themselves out there waiting to be discovered.
Take published books about hacking written by hackers for instance, in the UK there was various editions of Hugo Cornwall’s book “The Hacker’s Handbook”, originally published in 1985. There was also infamous subversive publisher Loompanic’s book “The Computer Underground: Computer Hacking, Crashing, Pirating, and Phreaking” by M. Harry, which was also published in 1985.
- “The Hacker’s Handbook”, original 1985 edition, by Hugo Cornwall
- “The Computer Underground: Computer Hacking, Crashing, Pirating, and Phreaking” by M. Harry, Loompanics, 1985
Reading these books not only give us a snapshot of the scene at the time through the author’s eyes, but also a chance to read how hackers themselves defined a hacker.
This book uses the word in a more restricted sense: hacking is a recreational and educational sport. It consists of attempting to make unauthorised entry into computers and to explore what is there. The sport’s aims and purposes have been widely misunderstood; most hackers are not interested in perpetrating massive frauds, modifying their personal banking, taxation and employee records, or inducing one world super-power into inadvertently commencing Armageddon in the mistaken belief that another super-power is about to attack it.
Every hacker I have ever come across has been quite clear about where the fun lies: it is in developing an understanding of a system and finally producing the skills and tools to defeat it. In the vast majority of cases, the process of ‘getting in’ is much more satisfying than what is discovered in the protected computer files.
“The Hacker’s Handbook” – Introduction, Hugo Cornwall, 1985
Documentaries about hackers by hackers or people affiliated with the hacking scene are a more vivid look at some of the personalities who shaped scene history, or notable events that took place. Annaliza Savage’s “Unauthorized Access” released in 1994 is required viewing, as is “Hackers 95” by Phon-E and R.F. Burns, released in 1995 (of course), you can see a short clip of below.
https://youtu.be/7abDgYYXhks?si=8upHxOHKs8wB6jX2
Over at textfiles.com you can find an incredible resource in the form of archived hacker scene text files, from the BBS years up to the era of the world wide web. Among the files archived is a great many hacker e-zines, or electronic magazines, text and text ASCII art documents that were published on a regular or semi-regular schedule.
The most famous hacker e-zine is undeniably phrack magazine.
Basically, we are a group of phile writers
who have combined our philes and are distributing them in a group. This newsletter-type project is home-based at Metal Shop… These philes may include articles on telcom (phreaking/hacking), anarchy (guns and death & destruction) or kracking. Other topics will be allowed also to an certain extent.phrack issue #1, Taran King, November 17th, 1985
Hacker media is also in print though, with magazines like the now defunct Technological American Party Magazine of the 1970s or Blacklisted! 411 back in the nineties or 2600, which is still going strong.
2600 Magazine issue 1, page 6, January 19842600 Magazine began in January of 1984 with an article discussing a criminal case that contributors to the magazine had been involved in the year before the first issue came out. It was a series of raids on young hackers across the U.S. that the FBI called “Operation Mainframe”. I created a video on one of the groups caught up in the FBI investigation, the Inner Circle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppbx2POxxZU
2600 staff continued to be involved in hacking related incidents in the years after, as we can see from the article from 1985 below that notes that the editor of 2600 had his BBS seized by New Jersey police.
“Police hunt suspects” – Altus Times, 18th July, 1985You can find scanned issues of publications like Blacklisted! 411 over at archive.org and you can subscribe to 2600 over at their website.
Freedom of Information Act requests
Locked away in dusty archives is a wealth of information on the history of hacking, specific hackers and hacking groups, held by government bodies and law enforcement agencies.
To paraphrase NatSecGeek, if you are willing to take five minutes to write a FOIA request and then to wait potentially years for that request to be fulfilled you can eventually find yourself with documents that can rewrite our understanding of events in the history of hacking. My inspiration for pursuing FOIA requests as part of realhackhistory has been the aforementioned NatSecGeek as well as hexadecim8 and their Hacking History project.
You can find the documents they have retrieved from various archives here, and you can find my uploads of responsive records over at archive.org.
If requesting FOIA documents can be a bit boring and laborious, receiving them makes me feel like a little kid on Christmas morning.
FOIA archive requests can turn up completely different versions of events that had long been considered to be definitively settled. Records can show us scans or photocopies of newspaper or magazine articles since lost to time, printouts of webpages that are no longer online and the chance to see how government agencies or law enforcement have viewed the computer underground over the years.
In requesting documents I have primarily focused on records relating to hacking incidents between 1980 and 2005, with a particular interest in records from the early to mid 1980’s as records can degrade or get lost over time.
Because of FOIA requests we can see that in 1983 some people were so upset about the FBI raiding high-school age hackers linked to the Inner Circle hacking group that they wrote their Senator in California.
Or we can see the actual photocopies of notes of targeted systems seized by the FBI from those same hackers.
The text files, e-zine and magazine articles written by hackers provide one part of the story, the newspaper articles and TV segments on hacking incidents provide another and FOIA documents are the last piece of the puzzle that we as hacker history enthusiasts can hope to get our hands on in terms of records.
I plan future blog entries on how to file FOIA requests, how to decide what to FOIA and some dead ends I have reached in relation to past hacker events and incidents that someone else might want to pick up the threads from.
In conclusion
So that’s it, an explanation as to why realhackhistory exists, long since overdue and the start of a call to action for others who are interested, to see what they can add to the public knowledge of the roots of the hacking scene.
If I can outline a roadmap for the future of the project, I want to expand my understanding of the history of hacking outside of the English speaking world, start finding countries outside of the U.S, the U.K. and Australia to FOIA and pursue freeing more media from closed archives.
I’d also like to take this time to thank the people who have inspired me along the way, in particular Gabriella Coleman, Emma Best and Emily Crose, for encouragement and guidance on this great journey.
If we don’t preserve our history, nobody else will.
#1 #1980s #BBS #computer #cracker #crackers #cracking #darkSide #darkside #DDoS #encyclopedia #FBI #films #FOIA #hacked #hacker #hackers #hacking #historical #history #InnerCircle #IRC #mafiaboy #media #Movies #newspaper #police #television #TV #underground #WarGames
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35 Debian LTS advisories were released in February fixing 527 CVEs across various packages. These include security fixes for gnutls28, xrdp, ClamAV, tomcat9, zabbix, linux kernel, ceph, glib2.0, MUNGE and many more.
Debian LTS contributors also prepared updates for more recent releases, Debian 12 (#bookworm) , Debian 13 (#trixie) and Debian unstable. In addition, improvements were made to documentation and tooling used by the team.
Read the full report at https://www.freexian.com/blog/debian-lts-report-2026-02/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
This work is funded by Freexian's Debian LTS offering. Become a sponsor of Debian LTS (https://www.freexian.com/lts/debian/?utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social) and enjoy the benefits (https://www.freexian.com/lts/debian/details/#benefits).
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🤖🚫 Maintainers: did anyone try adding an `AGENTS.md` / `CLAUDE.md` file to repos to discourage #AI coding #agents and reduce #AI_slop?
Sure, contributors can delete those files or instruct their agents to ignore them. But it might help a bit.
What is your experience/opinion on this? 👀
Example: https://www.reddit.com/r/foss/comments/1t9y0h8/use_agentsmdclaudemd_to_prevent_ai_slop
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Yea, it is an ongoing shitshow right now. They're probably getting push from Microsoft to shove AI up everyones ass...
See e.g. https://github.com/orgs/community/discussions/159749
https://www.reddit.com/r/opensource/comments/1kw51bj/prevent_aigenerated_pull_requests_in_github/Or what open source projects and contributors post here on mastodon about it...
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Top 10 Countries with Most Programmers in 2025
Countries with most programmers
The world of software development is evolving at breakneck speed, and understanding the countries with most programmers is crucial for anyone navigating the global tech landscape. In 2025, the global developer population has surged to around 28.7 million professionals, fueled by digital transformation, AI advancements, and the relentless demand for innovative solutions. This article delves into the top countries with most programmers, highlighting empirical data from recent surveys and reports. We’ll explore not just the numbers but the stories behind them—economic policies, education systems, and cultural shifts that position these nations as powerhouses in programming talent.
As we examine the countries with most programmers, it’s clear that Asia dominates the rankings, with China and India leading the charge. These figures aren’t pulled from thin air; they’re drawn from comprehensive analyses by industry leaders like Evans Data Corporation and aggregated insights from platforms tracking developer ecosystems. The concentration of talent in certain countries with most programmers underscores a pivotal truth: tech innovation isn’t evenly distributed, but it’s increasingly accessible through remote work and global collaboration.
Early in our exploration of the countries with most programmers, consider the sheer scale. China, with its 7 million programmers, represents a staggering portion of the world’s total—over 24% alone. This isn’t just about quantity; it’s about how these developers are powering everything from e-commerce giants like Alibaba to cutting-edge AI research at Baidu. Similarly, India’s 5.8 million programmers form the backbone of outsourcing hubs in Bangalore and Hyderabad, where companies like Infosys and TCS churn out code for Fortune 500 clients worldwide. The United States follows closely with 4.4 million, a testament to Silicon Valley’s enduring allure, even as remote work blurs national boundaries.
But why do these countries with most programmers rise above others? It’s a mix of factors. Robust STEM education pipelines, government incentives for tech startups, and massive investments in broadband infrastructure create fertile ground. For instance, in the countries with most programmers like Japan, where 1.2 million developers thrive, a cultural emphasis on precision and lifelong learning ensures high-quality output in areas like robotics and automotive software.
The Top 10 Countries with Most Programmers: Data Breakdown
To visualize the dominance of these countries with most programmers, let’s look at a bar chart representing the top 10 based on 2025 estimates. This graph illustrates the absolute numbers, revealing Asia’s overwhelming lead while spotlighting European and Latin American contributors.
This chart of the countries with most programmers paints a vivid picture: the top three alone account for nearly 17 million developers, more than half the global total. China’s lead is particularly striking, driven by initiatives like the “Made in China 2025” plan, which prioritizes tech self-sufficiency. Reports indicate that over 60% of Chinese programmers specialize in mobile and web development, reflecting the nation’s smartphone penetration rate exceeding 1 billion users.
Moving down the list, India’s position among the countries with most programmers is no accident. With a median age of 28, the country benefits from a youthful workforce entering the field en masse. Institutions like the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) produce elite talent, while platforms like Upwork see Indian freelancers contributing 15% of global gigs. Yet, challenges persist—brain drain to the US claims about 20% of IIT graduates annually, subtly shifting the balance in the countries with most programmers.
The United States, despite not topping the numerical list, punches above its weight in innovation. Among the countries with most programmers here, diversity is key: immigrants from India and China make up 40% of Silicon Valley’s workforce. Companies like Google and Microsoft employ over 500,000 developers domestically, with salaries averaging $120,000—far outpacing global norms. This economic pull keeps the US competitive, even as domestic enrollment in computer science degrees dipped slightly post-2020 pandemic.
Japan’s 1.2 million programmers highlight efficiency over volume. In this country with most programmers in East Asia after China, the focus is on embedded systems and AI ethics. Government subsidies for R&D have boosted numbers by 8% year-over-year, per recent OECD data. Meanwhile, Germany’s 1 million strong cohort underscores Europe’s engineering heritage. Berlin’s startup scene rivals London, attracting talent with work-life balance policies that include 30+ vacation days annually.
Brazil and Mexico represent Latin America’s surge in the countries with most programmers. Brazil’s 759,000 developers are concentrated in São Paulo, where fintech unicorns like Nubank hire aggressively. Mexico’s 563,000, bolstered by nearshoring from the US, sees Guadalajara emerge as a “Silicon Valley of the South.” These nations benefit from bilingual talent pools, making them ideal for cross-border projects.
France (533,000) and the UK (465,000, just outside the top 10) showcase Europe’s blend of tradition and tech. France’s Station F incubator has spawned 1,000+ startups, while the UK’s post-Brexit visa reforms have stabilized its developer inflow. Rounding out the top 10, Thailand and Vietnam exemplify Southeast Asia’s ascent among countries with most programmers. Thailand’s 550,000 developers ride the wave of tourism tech and e-commerce, with Bangkok hosting events like Techsauce Global Summit. Vietnam, with 530,000, has seen explosive growth—doubling since 2020—thanks to low-cost, high-skill labor drawing firms like Intel and Samsung.
Factors Fueling Growth in Countries with Most Programmers
What ties these countries with most programmers together? Education is paramount. In China, over 8 million STEM graduates enter the market yearly, dwarfing the US’s 600,000. India’s National Policy on Software Products mandates coding in schools from grade 6, creating a grassroots pipeline. Among countries with most programmers, such investments yield dividends: a 2024 World Bank study linked every $1 spent on tech education to $13 in economic returns.
Government policies also play a starring role. The US’s H-1B visa program, despite controversies, funnels 85,000 skilled workers annually, many into programming roles. Japan’s “Digital Agency” initiative aims to train 1 million more digital natives by 2030. In emerging countries with most programmers like Vietnam, tax breaks for IT exports have spiked FDI by 25% in 2024.
Cultural attitudes matter too. In the countries with most programmers across Asia, long work hours—averaging 50+ per week in India—contrast with Europe’s 35-hour norms. Yet, burnout is a rising concern; Stack Overflow’s 2025 survey found 42% of developers in top countries with most programmers reporting stress, prompting wellness programs at firms like Atlassian.
Remote work has democratized access. Post-pandemic, 70% of programmers in countries with most programmers like the US now hybridize, per GitHub’s Octoverse report. This blurs lines, allowing a Brazilian coder to contribute to a German startup seamlessly. However, it exacerbates inequalities: women represent just 18% of developers globally, with lower shares in male-dominated countries with most programmers like India (14%).
Challenges and Future Outlook for Countries with Most Programmers
Despite the boom, hurdles loom for countries with most programmers. Cybersecurity threats hit hard—China reported 1.5 million data breaches in 2024, straining its developer resources. Skill gaps persist; while numbers swell, demand for AI specialists outpaces supply by 40% in the US. Ethical AI development is another frontier, with EU regulations like the AI Act forcing countries with most programmers in Europe to adapt swiftly.
Looking ahead, projections suggest the global tally of programmers will hit 32 million by 2027, with Asia claiming 60%. Countries with most programmers today must innovate: upskilling via platforms like Coursera (used by 70 million learners) and fostering diversity. Emerging hubs like Nigeria (89,000 developers) could crack the top 20 by decade’s end, per Evans Data forecasts.
In conclusion, the countries with most programmers aren’t static; they’re dynamic engines of progress. From China’s scale to Vietnam’s agility, these nations shape our digital future. As we witness this shift, one thing is certain: collaboration across borders will define the next era of coding excellence.
References
- https://joingenius.com/statistics/number-of-software-developers/ (Primary data source for developer numbers)
- https://www.jetbrains.com/lp/devecosystem-data-playground/ (JetBrains Developer Ecosystem insights)
- https://evansdata.com/reports/viewRelease.php?reportID=9 (Evans Data Worldwide Developer Population Report 2025)
- https://survey.stackoverflow.co/2025/ (Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2025)
- https://www.outsourceaccelerator.com/articles/software-developer-statistics/ (Software developer statistics 2025)
- https://www.itransition.com/software-development/statistics (Software Development Statistics for 2025)
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Thomas’s Langur Presbytis thomasi
Thomas’s Langur Presbytis thomasi
IUCN Status: Vulnerable (VU)
Location: Indonesia – Sumatra (Aceh Province)
Thomas’s Langur, also known as the North Sumatran Leaf #Monkey is famous for their bold facial stripes giving them a handsome profile. These monkeys are endemic to the lush forests of northern Sumatra, Indonesia. Listed as Vulnerable by the Red List, this striking species is facing serious population declines due to habitat loss, primarily driven by illegal logging and oil palm deforestation. Though not as globally known as some of its neighbours, such as the Sumatran Orangutan, Thomas’s Langur plays an equally vital role in forest regeneration and seed dispersal. You can help protect them by using your consumer power: always choose palm oil-free products.#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan
The Thomas’s #Langur has striking stripes 🐵🐒🤎 They’re #vulnerable due to forest clearance for #palmoil and #timber in #Sumatra #Indonesia 🇮🇩 Protect this rare #monkey when you shop and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔☠️🩸🤮🙊🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/24/thomass-langur-presbytis-thomasi/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterSporting bold facial stripes, the Thomas’s #Langur is a handsome icon of #Sumatra #Indonesia 🇮🇩 Threats include #palmoil #deforestation and human persecution 🏹😿 Fight for their survival and #BoycottPalmOil 🌴🪔☠️🩸🤮🙊🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/01/24/thomass-langur-presbytis-thomasi/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance and Behaviour
Thomas’s Langur is a small-bodied, highly distinctive primate. Their expressive amber eyes are framed by a whimsical ‘mohawk’ of fur – white at the front and dark grey along the midline – with flaring white cheek tufts giving them a perpetual look of surprise. Their back and limbs are grey, while the underparts are pure white, creating a dramatic contrast. Infants are born almost entirely white.
They live in social groups of 10–20 individuals and are arboreal, moving gracefully through the canopy. Though they are agile and peaceful, these monkeys are alert and cautious, especially in areas with higher predator or infanticide risk. They’ve been observed adjusting their vigilance levels depending on their location within the forest and the presence of neighbouring groups.
Diet
Thomas’s Langur is primarily folivorous, meaning their diet mainly consists of leaves. However, they also consume unripe fruit, flowers, toadstools, snails, and even rubber tree seeds when available. They have highly adapted digestive systems with gut microbes capable of breaking down cellulose, allowing them to extract nutrients from fibrous plant material. They tend to avoid ripe fruit, which could kill these microbes, and instead prefer high-pH, less acidic produce.
Reproduction and Mating
These langurs reach reproductive maturity around 5.4 years of age. The average interbirth interval is about 22 months, though this can vary depending on whether the previous infant survives. Females give birth to a single offspring at a time and care for them extensively. Infanticide by incoming males is a documented threat in overlapping territories, which may influence both vigilance and social dynamics within groups.
In the wild, Thomas’s Langurs live up to 20 years, with longevity extending to 29 years in captivity due to the absence of predators and reduced stress.
Geographic Range
Thomas’s Langur is restricted to northern Sumatra in Indonesia, primarily within Aceh Province. They are found north of the Alas (Simpangkiri) and Wampu Rivers, though newer records suggest they also exist just south of the Alas. Key populations reside in the Leuser Ecosystem, particularly around the Ketambe Research Station and Bukit Lawang in Gunung Leuser National Park. The species’ range is geographically fragmented by rivers and human activity.
Threats
The species is considered Vulnerable due to past and continued population declines, estimated at more that 30% over the past 40 years (three generations) due to loss of habitat, especially to logging and oil palm plantations. Due to continuing threats, it is suspected to decline at the same rate over the next one generation.
IUCN Red List• Palm oil and timber deforestation
Thomas’s langur faces severe habitat loss due to widespread deforestation in northern Sumatra. Logging operations, both legal and illegal, have cleared vast tracts of primary forest, fragmenting the langurs’ habitat and forcing them into smaller, isolated patches. The conversion of forests into oil palm plantations is accelerating this destruction, leading to population declines estimated at more than 30% over the past 40 years. This fragmentation not only reduces available food sources but also isolates groups, limiting genetic diversity and increasing the risk of local extinctions.
• Hunting and human persecution
Though protected by the local Batak traditional and religious taboos, there is some ‘marginal’ hunting pressure in the other parts of their distribution. The species is sometimes killed for bushmeat or captured for traditional medicine practices. In areas where these taboos are not observed, or where poverty drives people to seek alternative food sources, hunting pressure remains a real threat. Even low levels of hunting can have significant impacts on slow-reproducing primates like Thomas’s langur.
• Illegal Pet Trade
Infant langurs are often captured and sold in wildlife markets, especially in areas close to tourism hotspots like Bukit Lawang. To obtain a baby, adult females are usually killed, which has devastating consequences for troop dynamics and survival. Captive langurs often suffer from malnutrition, stress, and poor care, and rarely survive long in the pet trade. This exploitation is driving the species further toward extinction and contributes to the destruction of wild populations.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict
As forests are cleared, Thomas’s langurs increasingly move into croplands and plantations in search of food. This brings them into direct conflict with farmers, who may perceive them as pests and shoot them to protect crops. These retaliatory killings are not only cruel but contribute to the already rapid decline in population numbers. Furthermore, such conflicts reduce public tolerance for the species and hinder conservation efforts unless addressed through community engagement and education.
Take Action!
Thomas’s Langur is a symbol of Sumatra’s disappearing biodiversity. Protecting their habitat means preserving the rich web of life in which they play an essential role. You can make a difference, every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife. Advocate for indigenous-led conservation in Sumatra and campaign against the illegal wildlife trade. Support plant-based agriculture and rewilding efforts. Go #Vegan #BoycottMeat
FAQs
How many Thomas’s Langurs are left in the wild?
Exact population estimates for the Thomas’s Langur are unknown, but data suggests that their numbers have declined by more than 30% in the past 40 years (three generations). This is largely due to habitat destruction and fragmentation (Wich et al., 2007).
How long do Thomas’s Langurs live?
In the wild, they typically live around 20 years. In captivity, individuals have been known to live up to 29 years (Wich et al., 2007).
Why are Thomas’s Langurs endangered?
The main threat is deforestation from logging and conversion of land into palm oil plantations. This leads to loss of their primary rainforest habitat and forces them into closer contact with humans, where they may be shot or captured for trade (IUCN, 2021).
Do Thomas’s Langurs make good pets?
Absolutely not. Keeping Thomas’s Langurs as pets is not only unethical but illegal. The illegal pet trade contributes directly to their decline, as infants are taken from their mothers, often involving violence. Supporting this trade fuels cruelty and threatens their survival. Advocate against the exotic pet trade instead.
Further Information
Setiawan, A. & Traeholt, C. 2020. Presbytis thomasi. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T18132A17954139. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-2.RLTS.T18132A17954139.en. Downloaded on 24 January 2021.
Ecology Asia. (n.d.). Thomas’s Leaf Monkey – Presbytis thomasi. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/mammals/thomas’s-leaf-monkey.htm
Sterck, E. H. M., Willems, E. P., van Schaik, C. P., & Wich, S. A. (2005). Demography and life history of Thomas langurs (Presbytis thomasi). American Journal of Primatology, 69(6), 641–651. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20386
Steenbeek, R., Piek, R. C., van Buul, M., & van Hooff, J. A. R. A. M. (1999). Vigilance in wild Thomas’s langurs (Presbytis thomasi): the importance of infanticide risk. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 45, 137–150. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002650050547
Wich, S. A., Steenbeek, R., Sterck, E. H. M., Korstjens, A. H., Willems, E. P., & van Schaik, C. P. (2007). Demography and life history of Thomas langurs (Presbytis thomasi). American Journal of Primatology, 69(6), 641–651. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajp.20386
Wich, S. A., Schel, A. M., de Vries, H., & van Schaik, C. P. (2008). Geographic variation in Thomas Langur (Presbytis thomasi) loud calls. American Journal of Primatology, 70(6), 566–574. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajp.20527
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Thomas’s langur. Wikipedia. Retrieved March 25, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas%27s_langur
Thomas’s Langur Presbytis thomasi
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Pledge your support #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #bushmeat #deforestation #humanWildlifeConflict #hunting #illegalPetTrade #indigenousMedicine #Indonesia #langur #Malaysia #Mammal #monkey #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #Primate #SouthEastAsia #Sumatra #ThomasSLangurPresbytisThomasi #timber #vegan #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies -
Ecuadorean Viscacha Lagidium ahuacaense
Ecuadorean Viscacha Lagidium ahuacaense
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
Location: Ecuador’s Cerro El Ahuaca
High in the remote granite outcrops of Cerro El Ahuaca, #Ecuador the Ecuadorean #Viscacha Lagidium ahuacaense is plump and fluffy #rodent sporting sage-like long whiskers. From their high perch they look down upon the world below with a permanent expression of what could interpreted as disappointment. Ecuadorean Viscachas were first spotted in 2005 and formally described in 2009, these mountain-dwelling large #rodents are the northernmost member of the Lagidium genus, marooned over 500 kilometres from their closest relatives in #Peru. Few creatures are as elusive or fascinating— tragically, only a handful of them remain alive.
Fires, #beef agriculture, and #deforestation for monoculture are carving away at their already fragile existence, pushing them ever closer to the brink of #extinction. Help them by sharing their story to social media. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife.
High in the mountains of #Ecuador 🇪🇨 lives a sage-like fluffy #rodent, the Ecuadorean #Viscacha, a critically endangered alpine wonder. Few remain alive due to #climatechange and #meat #agriculture 🥩🔥. Be #vegan for them #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-aoV
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterThe Ecuadorean #Viscacha is a fluffy epic #rodent of #Ecuador’s high mountains with long and wise whiskers and a bushy tail. These tenacious creatures are critically #endangered 😭😿 Help them to survive, be #vegan #Boycott4Wildlife 🥩🔥⛔️ @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-aoV
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & Behaviour
Built for survival in one of Ecuador’s harshest landscapes, the Ecuadorean Viscacha is a sturdy and big rodent with a compact body covered in thick, grey-brown fur. Their dense, woolly fur shields them from the biting Andean winds, while their long, silvery tails provide balance as they scale sheer rock faces. Their large, dark eyes scan the terrain for danger, and their long, sensitive whiskers twitch as they pick up the faintest vibrations in the wind.
Long and distinguished whiskers provide them with sensitive and deep understanding of their environment. A black dorsal stripe runs the length of their back, this disappears into the dense coat that keeps them warm against the mountain’s chill.
Most active at dawn and dusk, their every movement is deliberate. They bound effortlessly between jagged outcrops, using their powerful hind legs to launch themselves across treacherous gaps. Unlike burrowing rodents, they take refuge in narrow rock crevices, where they remain hidden from predators.
Threats
Once secure in their isolated stronghold, the Ecuadorean Viscacha now faces a gauntlet of human-driven threats. Their already tiny population is being squeezed into an ever-smaller fragment of land, where survival is becoming increasingly precarious.
Deforestation for eucalyptus and pine monoculture plantations
For generations, wildfires have been used to clear land for agriculture and livestock grazing, but in recent decades, these fires have intensified, spreading further into the Viscacha’s habitat. Each blaze devours critical vegetation, stripping away the food sources they rely on and forcing them into ever-smaller pockets of surviving habitat.
Farmed Animal Agriculture
Grazing cattle have become an unrelenting force in the region, trampling vegetation and outcompeting the Viscacha for food. Their presence has disrupted the delicate balance of this fragile ecosystem, leaving fewer resources for native wildlife.
Climate Change-related Environmental Shifts
With their entire known population confined to a single mountain, the Ecuadorean Viscacha is especially vulnerable to even the smallest environmental shifts. Changing rainfall patterns, prolonged droughts, and temperature fluctuations could alter the availability of food and water, placing further stress on their already limited numbers.
Population Fragmentation and Isolation
Trapped within a tiny range with no known neighbouring populations, the Viscacha is cut off from potential mates and genetic diversity. Without intervention, this isolation could lead to inbreeding, weakening the species’ ability to adapt and survive.
Geographic Range
The Ecuadorean Viscacha is found only in a single location—Cerro El Ahuaca, a rugged granite mountain in southern Ecuador. They inhabit steep, rocky surfaces at elevations between 1,950 and 2,480 metres, a world of exposed rock faces and sparse vegetation. No other known populations exist, making them one of the most geographically restricted mammals on the planet.
Though their habitat once stretched further, fires and deforestation have steadily chipped away at the fringes of their territory. Today, their entire known range spans just 120 hectares—an area smaller than many urban parks—leaving them with little room to escape the pressures of a changing world.
Diet
These high-altitude specialists are herbivores, feeding primarily on native grasses, shrubs, and small herbs that cling to the mountainside. Signs of their feeding are visible throughout their habitat—freshly grazed plants and stripped vegetation mark the places where they have foraged. Their diet is shaped by scarcity, forcing them to survive on whatever plant life they can find in their isolated, rocky home. Their close relatives Mountain Viscacha of Peru are preyed upon by Andean Mountain Cats.
Mating and Reproduction
Little is known about the reproductive habits of the Ecuadorean Viscacha, but they likely follow a pattern similar to their relatives in the Lagidium genus. Mountain Viscachas generally give birth to a single offspring after a long gestation period, ensuring that each newborn has a better chance of survival in the unforgiving terrain. Born with fur and open eyes, young Viscachas are relatively well-developed, an adaptation that allows them to quickly learn the skills needed to navigate their hazardous mountain environment.
FAQs
Are Ecuadorean Viscachas related to rabbits or chinchillas?
Despite their rabbit-like appearance, Ecuadorean Viscachas belong to the Chinchillidae family, making them closer relatives of chinchillas than rabbits. Their long whiskers, dense fur, and powerful hind legs are adaptations seen in other members of this family, allowing them to thrive in rocky, high-altitude environments.
How are Ecuadorean Viscachas different from other Mountain Viscachas?
Ecuadorean Viscachas are the northernmost species of the Lagidium genus, separated by more than 500 kilometres from their closest relatives in Peru. Genetic studies show that they diverged significantly from other Mountain Viscachas, with at least 7.9% DNA sequence differences. Morphologically, they have a more compact body, a distinct black dorsal stripe, and a tail that shifts in colour from grey-brown to reddish-brown. Their isolation and unique adaptations to the Cerro El Ahuaca environment make them a distinct species.
How do Ecuadorean Viscachas survive in their rocky habitat?
Perfectly adapted to life among sheer cliffs and granite outcrops, Ecuadorean Viscachas use their powerful hind legs to leap between rocks, navigating the treacherous terrain with ease. Their thick, woolly fur provides insulation against the cold, and instead of burrowing, they take refuge in rock crevices where they remain hidden from predators.
What do Ecuadorean Viscachas eat?
These herbivores feed on native shrubs, grasses, and small herbs found in their mountainous habitat. They leave behind distinct feeding traces, such as grazed vegetation and stripped plants, which provide insight into their foraging habits. Their diet is dictated by the limited plant life available in their isolated environment.
How many Ecuadorean Viscachas are left in the wild?
The total known population is alarmingly small, possibly consisting of only a few dozen individuals confined to a 120-hectare area on Cerro El Ahuaca. No other populations have been discovered, making them one of the most critically endangered rodents in the world.
What are the biggest threats to the Ecuadorean Viscacha?
Their biggest threats include:
• Habitat destruction – Uncontrolled fires and land clearing for eucalyptus and pine monoculture and cattle grazing are steadily erasing their already limited habitat.
• Livestock competition – Grazing cattle trample vegetation and outcompete Viscachas for food.
• Climate change – Shifting rainfall patterns and temperature fluctuations could further disrupt their delicate ecosystem.
• Genetic isolation – With only a single known population, they face the risk of inbreeding, which could weaken their resilience.
Why are they only found in one place?
Ecuadorean Viscachas are highly specialised mountain dwellers, perfectly suited to the rocky terrain of Cerro El Ahuaca. They may have once had a wider range, but habitat destruction and fragmentation have left them stranded in this isolated stronghold. Unlike more adaptable rodents, they cannot easily move to new areas due to their specific habitat needs.
Are Ecuadorean Viscachas protected?
The Ecuadorean Vischaca was only recently discovered and are considered a forgotten species. However conservation efforts have begun, there is no targeted species-wide protection in place. However, local conservation initiatives have helped establish protected areas that include their habitat. Researchers continue to push for stronger conservation measures to ensure their survival.
How can I help save the Ecuadorean Viscacha?
You can make a difference by:
• Supporting conservation organisations working to protect their habitat.
• Raising awareness about the threats they face by sharing this post and joining the #Boycott4Wildlife
• Advocating for stronger environmental policies in Ecuador to prevent further deforestation and habitat loss.
Without immediate action, these rare and remarkable mountain survivors could disappear forever.
Take Action!
The Ecuadorean Viscacha is teetering on the edge of extinction, but there is still time to act. Conservationists have already taken steps to protect their habitat, securing key areas under municipal conservation agreements. However, long-term survival depends on preventing further destruction of their fragile mountain refuge.
You can help by:
• Supporting organisations working to protect Ecuador’s high-altitude ecosystems.
• Spreading awareness about the threats facing the Ecuadorean Viscacha and the urgent need for conservation.
• Demanding stronger environmental protections to prevent further habitat loss in Loja Province.
Every effort counts. Without immediate action, these extraordinary mountain survivors could disappear forever.
Support Ecuadorean Viscacha by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Nature and Culture International. (2022). Ecuadorian Viscacha Conservation Project. Retrieved from https://www.natureandculture.org/directory/ecuadorian-vizcacha-conservation-project/
Roach, N. 2016. Lagidium ahuacaense. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T48295808A48295811. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T48295808A48295811.en. Accessed on 27 February 2025.
Werner, F. A., Ledesma, K. J., & Hidalgo B., R. (2006). Mountain vizcacha (Lagidium cf. peruanum) in Ecuador – first record of Chinchillidae from the northern Andes. Mastozoología Neotropical, 13(2), 271–274.
Wikipedia Contributors. (n.d.). Lagidium ahuacaense. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagidium_ahuacaense
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
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Join 3,529 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
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Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
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Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGBlue-streaked Lory Eos reticulata
Blonde Capuchin Sapajus flavius
Savage’s Glass Frog Centrolene savagei
Pesquets Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus
Tanimbar Eclectus Parrot Eclectus riedeli
Learn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
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Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Frill-Necked Lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii
Location: Papua New Guinea, West Papua, Australia
Region: Trans-Fly ecosystem of southern Papua New Guinea and West Papua along with northern parts of Australia.
The frill-necked lizard Chlamydosaurus kingii, also known as the frilled dragons or frill-neck lizards, are famous for their impressive neck frill that fans out dramatically when they feel threatened. The Trans-Fly savannahs of southern Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua, have come increasingly under threat over the past decade by climate change-related extreme weather and deforestation. Anthropogenic threats include habitat destruction for timber and palm oil, climate change-related fires, expanding agricultural zones, road and infrastructure building and capture for the exotic pet trade. In Australia, these lizards eat poisonous cane toads that are deadly once ingested. This along with large-scale bushfires pose threats to Frill-necked #Lizards. Once abundant, these striking reptiles are now losing their ecosystems. Use your wallet as a weapon for them by defending New Guinea’s forests. Choose palm oil-free products and boycott the pet trade. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
The Frilled-Neck #Lizard 🦎💚 is an icon of #Australia 🇦🇺. Their #PapuaNewGuinea 🇵🇬 and #WestPapua populations are under threat from #deforestation 🌴🩸⛔️ along with #ClimateChange. Protect their home and #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterWith their dramatic frilled necks 🦎😻✨ and ability to run on two legs, Frilled-Neck #Lizards are arguably the most spectacular lizards in all of #Melanesia 🇵🇬 Help protect their #NewGuinea population #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://palmoildetectives.com/2025/11/09/frill-necked-lizard-chlamydosaurus-kingii/
Share to BlueSky Share to Twitterhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a44j267-nxE
Appearance & Behaviour
With their iconic neck frill, long limbs and ability to sprint upright on two legs, frill-necked lizards are one of the most distinctive reptiles in the world. New Guinean individuals typically feature vivid yellow frills that flare outward like a sunburst when they feel threatened—often accompanied by a hiss and an open mouth to appear larger than life. Their frill can reach up to 30 cm across, supported by hyoid bones and cartilage that fan the skin out in a flash. Colouration is variable, and in New Guinea, these lizards lean towards paler hues with distinctive white markings accenting their yellow frills.
Primarily arboreal, they spend over 90% of their time in the trees. They are solitary, territorial, and highly dependent on their frill to communicate and intimidate. During the wet season, they descend closer to the ground in search of food, only to retreat to the higher canopy during the dry months when food is scarce.
Threats
- Deforestation for palm oil plantations is rapidly fragmenting their native woodlands in the Trans-Fly region of West Papua and Papua New Guinea.
- Illegal capture for the pet trade—many specimens claimed to be ‘captive bred’ are actually wild-caught in Papua New Guinea.
- Late dry season fires increase mortality rates and reduce food availability.
- Predation by feral cats is an ongoing issue in some parts of their range.
- Climate change related extreme weather may impact their reproduction, as temperature influences sex ratios and growth rates.
Geographic Range
This species is found in northern Australia and across southern New Guinea, including both Papua New Guinea and Indonesian-occupied West Papua. In New Guinea, they inhabit the Trans-Fly savannah region—a unique landscape of seasonal woodlands and dry forests. These lizards avoid low-lying Melaleuca-dominated swamps and prefer elevated areas with well-drained soils and diverse tree species. However, their range in New Guinea is far more restricted than in Australia, making local threats far more significant to their survival.
Diet
Frill-necked lizards are insectivorous ambush predators. They rely on their sharp eyesight and camouflage to spot prey from high in the trees. Their diet consists mainly of insects like termites, cicadas, beetles, ants, and centipedes. During the dry season, termites are especially important, while the wet season sees them shifting to moth larvae. Occasionally, they will consume spiders, small rodents, and other lizards.
Mating and Reproduction
Mating occurs during the late dry and early wet seasons. Males engage in dramatic frill displays and combat to win over females. Females dig a shallow burrow where they lay 1–2 clutches of 4–20 eggs. Temperature plays a critical role in determining the sex of hatchlings—warmer nests produce more males, while cooler ones yield more females. Young frillies are independent within 10 days of hatching and can deploy their frills almost immediately.
FAQs
How many Frill-necked lizards are left in New Guinea?
There is no precise population estimate for New Guinea, but while the species is locally common in parts of Australia, their populations in the Trans-Fly region are under pressure. Their limited range, coupled with the impacts of deforestation and trade, may mean local declines are already occurring.
How long do Frill-necked lizards live in the wild?
Frill-necked lizards in the wild can live up to 6 years for males and around 4 years for females. Hatchlings grow rapidly during the wet season and reach sexual maturity by about two years of age.
Do Frill-necked lizards make good pets?
Absolutely not. These sensitive reptiles are wild animals with complex needs. They are difficult to breed in captivity, meaning many sold in pet markets are likely wild-caught, contributing directly to population declines. Keeping them as pets fuels this harmful trade and leads to suffering. If you care about frill-necked lizards, do not support the exotic pet industry.
Take Action!
Support local and indigenous-led resistance to palm oil deforestation in West Papua and Papua New Guinea. Boycott palm oil products entirely—there is no such thing as “sustainable” palm oil, all of it causes deforestation. Say no to the exotic pet trade, which is stripping these unique lizards from the wild and pushing them towards decline. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
Support Frill-Necked Lizards by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
O’Shea, M., Allison, A., Tallowin, O., Wilson, S. & Melville, J. 2017. Chlamydosaurus kingii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T170384A21644690. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T170384A21644690.en. Accessed on 06 April 2025.
Harlow, P. S., & Shine, R. (1999). Temperature-dependent sex determination in reptiles: insights from frillneck lizards. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68(3), 197–211. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3893081
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Frilled lizard. Wikipedia. Retrieved 7 April 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frilled_lizard
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Read moreThe World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
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https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
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Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGGursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae
Keep readingSunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus
Keep readingWestern Parotia Parotia sefilata
Keep readingCapped Langur Trachypithecus pileatus
Keep readingMountain Tapir Tapirus pinchaque
Keep reading Keep readingLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more #animals #Australia #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #bushfires #climateChange #climatechange #deforestation #fires #ForgottenAnimals #FrillNeckedLizardChlamydosaurusKingii #hunting #illegalPetTrade #insectivore #lizard #lizards #Melanesia #NewGuinea #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuineaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #PapuaNewGuinea #petTrade #poaching #Reptile #reptiles #timber #WestPapua #WestPapua -
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
Location: Eastern Myanmar and southwestern China, particularly the Gaoligong Mountains
IUCN Status: Endangered
High in the treetops of Myanmar and China’s remote montane forests, the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon swings effortlessly through the canopy, moving with near-weightless grace. These rare, tree-dwelling primates were only officially described in 2017, making them one of the most recently discovered gibbon species. With fewer than 150 individuals confirmed in the wild, they are now among the world’s most endangered gibbons, clinging to existence in increasingly fragmented forests.
Despite their elusive nature, their presence is unmistakable—their piercing songs echo at dawn, carrying for over a kilometre through the jungle. But in many places, these songs have fallen silent, drowned out by the sounds of logging, mining, and hunting. Their delicate grip on survival is under immense pressure from habitat destruction, poaching, and the relentless expansion of agriculture. Help them by campaigning for their survival #Boycott4Wildlife.
High in #China 🇨🇳 and #Myanmar’s 🇲🇲 trees live melodic long-limbed bards of the jungle. Skywalker Hoolock #Gibbons 🙉🐵🐒 got their name from #StarWars 🛸🌌 but Skywalker also translates to ‘Heaven’s Movement’ in Chinese. Help them and #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/skywalker-hoolock-gibbon-hoolock-tianxing/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterJust a few dozen beautiful and elegant Skywalker #Gibbons 🐵🐒remain alive in the vulnerable forests of #Myanmar 🇲🇲and southern #China 🇨🇳 Threats include cardamom #deforestation 🥜🔥 #poaching and #climatechange. Help them survive #Boycott4Wildlife https://palmoildetectives.com/2021/02/06/skywalker-hoolock-gibbon-hoolock-tianxing/
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance and Behaviour
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are strikingly beautiful primates, with graceful, elongated limbs and expressive, intelligent eyes. Their fur varies from black to dark brown, with a large beard that can be either black or brown, unlike their closest relatives, the Eastern hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys), which have white beards. One of their most distinctive features is their white eyebrows, which are thinner and more widely spaced than those of other hoolock gibbons.
Males and females are sexually dimorphic. Males have dark brown fur with a slight brownish overlay, while females are yellowish or reddish-blonde, with incomplete white facial rings. Younger gibbons lack the white fur under their eyes and chin, making them easier to distinguish.
These gibbons are arboreal specialists, spending their entire lives in the trees. They travel through the forest canopy using brachiation, swinging between branches with their long arms at breathtaking speed. On the ground, they are awkward and vulnerable, avoiding descent unless absolutely necessary.
Skywalker hoolock gibbons are highly social and monogamous, forming lifelong pairs. Their strong bonds are reinforced through duet calls—long, melodious songs that mated pairs perform together at dawn. These calls serve as territorial markers and as a way to maintain their connection. However, in some areas, researchers have observed gibbons going silent for weeks after hearing gunfire, an eerie reminder of the threats they face.
Geographic Range
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are found in the dense montane forests of eastern Myanmar and southwestern China, particularly in the Gaoligong Mountains. Initially, scientists believed their population was limited to small, fragmented groups in China. However, a groundbreaking study in 2024 confirmed that Myanmar is home to the largest known population of these elusive primates.
Using a combination of acoustic monitoring and DNA analysis, researchers were able to identify 44 previously unknown Skywalker gibbon groups in Myanmar. This discovery significantly expands their known range and offers new hope for their conservation.
Despite this positive news, over 90% of their range remains unprotected, leaving them highly vulnerable to habitat destruction. In Myanmar, their forest home is shrinking due to illegal logging, mining, and agricultural expansion, forcing them into smaller and more isolated populations.
Diet
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are primarily frugivorous, meaning that fruit makes up the majority of their diet (around 49%). However, when fruit is scarce, they also consume leaves, buds, flowers, and even small invertebrates or bird chicks. Their diet shifts with the seasons, with ripe fruit being the most sought-after food source.
They play a crucial role in their ecosystem as seed dispersers, ensuring the health and regeneration of the forests they inhabit. Without them, the delicate balance of their habitat would begin to unravel.
Reproduction and Mating
Mating among Skywalker hoolock gibbons is a complex social ritual. Females initiate courtship, presenting themselves to males, who respond by approaching them in an elaborate display of mutual trust. Once bonded, these pairs remain together for life, raising one offspring at a time.
The gestation period lasts around 7 months, after which a single helpless, pink-skinned infant is born. The mother provides constant care and protection, carrying the baby clinging to her fur for the first several months of life. Juveniles remain dependent on their parents for up to 8 years before reaching sexual maturity.
Due to their slow reproductive rate, any decline in population is devastating. If adult gibbons are killed, the loss is felt for generations, pushing their already fragile numbers closer to extinction.
Threats
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons face a critical battle for survival, with their population declining due to multiple human-driven threats.
In Myanmar, the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon remains threatened by habitat loss due largely to slash-and-burn agriculture, gold mining and logging, and secondarily by hunting for food and medicinal purposes (Ni et al. 2018). Unfortunately, the species is not known to occur in any protected areas in this country.
IUCN Red List
Habitat Destruction and Deforestation
• Myanmar and China’s forests are rapidly disappearing due to commercial logging, mining, and slash-and-burn agriculture.
• Over 90% of their range remains unprotected, making them highly vulnerable to deforestation.
• In Myanmar, forest loss has accelerated since 2000, with up to 9% of their habitat disappearing in key areas.
As trees fall, gibbons lose their homes, their food sources, and their ability to move safely through the forest canopy.
Agricultural Expansion and Cardamom Plantations
• Large swathes of forest are being cleared for cardamom plantations, particularly in China.
• While some gibbons have adapted to agroforestry environments, heavy fragmentation of these habitats isolates populations, preventing gene flow and increasing the risk of inbreeding.
Hunting and the Illegal Wildlife Trade
• In Myanmar, hoolock gibbons are hunted for food and traditional Chinese medicine, with the false belief that consuming their brains can cure epilepsy.
• They are poached for the illegal pet trade, with babies being torn from their mothers, who are often killed in the process.
• Even when not actively hunted, gibbons are often shot by miners and loggers as they are seen as “noisy disturbances.”
Climate Change and Habitat Fragmentation
• Warming temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change are altering the availability of food sources, forcing gibbons into competition with one another.
• Fragmentation of forests forces gibbons to travel across open ground, making them highly vulnerable to predators and human threats.
FAQS
How many Skywalker hoolock gibbons are left?
Fewer than 150 individuals have been confirmed in the wild. However, new research suggests their numbers may be slightly higher in Myanmar, though they remain endangered.
Where do Skywalker hoolock gibbons live?
They are found in eastern Myanmar and southwestern China, particularly in the Gaoligong Mountains and areas between the Salween and Irrawaddy Rivers.
What do Skywalker hoolock gibbons eat?
Their diet is primarily fruit, but they also consume leaves, buds, flowers, insects, and bird chicks when plant sources are limited.
How do Skywalker hoolock gibbons communicate?
They perform loud, melodic duet songs at dawn, which serve to mark territory and strengthen bonds between mated pairs.
Why are they called ‘Skywalker’ hoolock gibbons?
They were named by researchers who are Star Wars fans, inspired by their graceful movement through the treetops and the Chinese translation of their name, which means ‘heaven’s movement’.
Are Skywalker hoolock gibbons endangered?
Yes, they are listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Their population is small and highly fragmented, with habitat loss being the greatest threat to their survival.
Can Skywalker hoolock gibbons be kept as pets?
No. Keeping a gibbon as a pet is illegal, immoral and cruel. Many gibbons in the pet trade are illegally captured from the wild, often involving the killing of their family members.
Take Action
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbons are on the brink of extinction, but you can help ensure their survival. The biggest threats to these rare primates come from deforestation, illegal hunting, and the expansion of agriculture such as cardamom plantations. Protecting them means taking action against habitat destruction and the wildlife trade.
• Boycott palm oil, cardamom, and other crops linked to deforestation. The destruction of their habitat is directly linked to agriculture and logging. Every time you shop, choose products that are 100% palm oil-free to avoid contributing to deforestation and biodiversity loss.
• Support Indigenous-led conservation efforts. More than 90% of their habitat is unprotected. Local indigenous communities play a crucial role in protecting their forests from destruction. Donate to or amplify the work of organisations that empower Indigenous and local communities to safeguard forests.
• Demand stronger wildlife protection laws. Gibbons are hunted for food and traditional medicine, and the illegal pet trade remains a major threat. Contact policymakers and demand harsher penalties for those who exploit endangered species.
• Spread awareness. Many people have never heard of the Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon or the threats they face. Share their story on social media using #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan and encourage others to take action.
Without urgent intervention, these rare gibbons could be lost forever. Every action counts—speak up, make ethical choices, and help protect their rainforest home before it’s too late.
Further Information
Cowan, C. (2024). Skywalker gibbons confirmed in Myanmar for the first time. Mongabay. https://news.mongabay.com/2024/02/skywalker-gibbons-confirmed-in-myanmar-for-the-first-time/
Fan, P.F., Turvey, S.T. & Bryant, J.V. 2020. Hoolock tianxing (amended version of 2019 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T118355648A166597159. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T118355648A166597159.en. Downloaded on 06 February 2021.
Wikipedia Contributors. (n.d.). Skywalker hoolock gibbon. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skywalker_hoolock_gibbon
How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS Shepherd
How to easily identify gibbons by Noah RNS ShepherdSupport the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Skywalker Hoolock Gibbon Hoolock tianxing
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
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Mel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Anthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Health Physician Dr Evan Allen
The World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
How do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support#Boycott4wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #China #ChineseMedicine #climatechange #deforestation #EasternHoolockGibbonHoolockLeuconedys #EndangeredSpecies #ForgottenAnimals #Gibbon #Gibbons #hunting #illegalPetTrade #Mammal #Mentawi #Myanmar #palmoil #poaching #Primate #SkywalkerHoolockGibbonHoolockTianxing #StarWars #vegan #WesternHoolockGibbonHoolockHoolock
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The Echo of a Hand Across Millennia: Decoding the Cave Hand Stencil
Introduction
Imagine the dim glow of flickering firelight, casting dancing shadows on rough cave walls, thousands of years before history began. In the silence, broken only by the gentle breath of a painter, a hand presses against the cool, damp stone. A cloud of red ochre pigment fills the air, settling around the hand to leave a lasting imprint. This humble act resonates through time, speaking volumes across countless generations. The hand stencil, a ghostly echo from our distant ancestors, represents humanity’s earliest attempt at permanence—a poignant declaration: I was here. These timeless marks, etched in caves worldwide, whisper of identity, presence, and belonging, inviting us to imagine the lives, dreams, and stories of those who came before.
Creation and Technique
Creating a hand stencil required careful preparation and delicate execution. Artists mixed powdered ochre or manganese with binding agents such as animal fats or saliva, creating a vivid, lasting pigment. Hollow bone tubes, reeds, or even direct blowing through pursed lips were used to spray this mixture onto cave surfaces, leaving negative hand impressions as the pigment settled around the outstretched fingers and palm (Pike et al., 2012). Positive stencils, conversely, involved coating the hand directly with pigment and pressing firmly onto the rock. The skill and care in producing these artworks suggest the artists were respected community members entrusted with preserving their group’s identity.
Geographical Distribution
The universality of hand stencils spans continents and millennia, connecting disparate groups through a shared expression of humanity: – El Castillo Cave, Spain (approximately 40,800 years old), where stencils offer a vivid glimpse into the artistic traditions of Europe’s earliest inhabitants (Pike et al., 2012). – Leang Timpuseng Cave, Indonesia (around 39,900 years old), highlighting the global reach of this simple yet profound gesture (Aubert et al., 2014). – Cueva de las Manos, Argentina (circa 11,000 to 7,500 BCE), bearing witness to the enduring legacy of hunter-gatherer communities (UNESCO, 1999). – Maltravieso Cave, Spain (66,700 years old, Neanderthal), pushing back the boundaries of our understanding of human creativity and symbolism (Hoffmann et al., 2018).
Anthropological and Cognitive Significance
Hand stencils offer anthropologists a rare glimpse into the minds of early humans, revealing their cognitive sophistication and symbolic capabilities. Jean Clottes (2016) interprets these markings as powerful symbolic dialogues, possibly connecting humans with spiritual worlds or ancestors. Such interpretations illuminate the complex, multi-layered meanings embedded in these ancient symbols, suggesting hand stencils were not mere decorations but deeply intentional expressions of identity, spirituality, and community bonds.
Makers of the Marks
The diversity among hand stencil creators adds depth to our understanding of prehistoric societies. Morphometric studies indicate that women and children were significant contributors, evident from the varying sizes and proportions of handprints in sites like Pech Merle and Rouffignac Cave, France (Van Gelder & Sharpe, 2009). Indeed, roughly one-quarter of known stencils were crafted by young hands, suggesting these caves were inclusive spaces of communal gathering, learning, and cultural transmission (Guthrie, 2005). The presence of young artists underscores the social nature of cave art, where cultural heritage and knowledge passed seamlessly across generations.
Symbolic Meanings
Hand stencils often carry deeper symbolic meanings, frequently depicted with intentional missing fingers, possibly signifying complex communication methods, ritualistic practices, or symbolic gestures of sacrifice and belonging (Snow, 2006). At Gargas Cave, the repeated appearance of such stencils implies deliberate artistic choice rather than accidental loss or injury, hinting at a sophisticated form of proto-communication or ritual symbolism (Groenen, 2016). These enigmatic symbols provoke endless curiosity and interpretation, inviting us to explore ancient societies’ profound yet mysterious belief systems.
Neanderthal Artists
The revelation of Neanderthal-created hand stencils at Maltravieso Cave drastically reshapes our understanding of these ancient relatives. Dating to approximately 66,700 years ago, these artworks predate modern human presence in Europe, demonstrating Neanderthals’ capability for abstract thought, artistic expression, and symbolic communication (Hoffmann et al., 2018). This discovery challenges long-standing stereotypes, positioning Neanderthals as sophisticated beings with complex social structures, rituals, and creative traditions—indelibly marking their legacy within humanity’s shared heritage.
Personal Reflection and Modern Resonance
Handprints transcend historical and cultural divides, resonating deeply within modern consciousness through their universal symbolism of identity and continuity. Today, a child’s handprint evokes a profound emotional connection, bridging the vast temporal gap between ourselves and our ancestors. As parents guide their children’s hands onto clay or paper, they unknowingly echo the same intimate gesture practiced thousands of years earlier in shadowy caves. This continuity reflects humanity’s enduring quest for meaning, connection, and permanence, uniting generations through shared gestures of presence and belonging.
Conclusion
Hand stencils serve as timeless symbols of humanity’s deepest needs: recognition, belonging, storytelling, and community. These simple marks assert presence, convey complex meanings beyond language, and profoundly connect us to our earliest ancestors. They invite modern observers to reflect on our shared humanity and the eternal impulse to leave a mark upon the world, asserting with silent dignity: We are here.
Works Cited
Aubert, M., Lebe, R., Oktaviana, A. A., Tang, M., Burhan, B., Jusdi, A., … & Brumm, A. (2019). Earliest hunting scene in prehistoric art. Nature, 576(7787), 442–445. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-019-1806-y
Aubert, M., Pike, A. W. G., & Stringer, C. (2014). Pleistocene cave art from Sulawesi, Indonesia. Nature, 514(7521), 223–227. https://doi.org/10.1038/nature13422
Bednarik, R. G. (2008). Children as Pleistocene artists. Rock Art Research, 25(2), 173–182. https://www.academia.edu/1443733/Children_as_Pleistocene_artists
Clottes, J. (2016). What is Paleolithic Art? (D. Coltman, Trans.). University of Chicago Press.
D’Errico, F., & Vanhaeren, M. (2017). Hand to mouth: The origins of symbolic behaviour seen through the study of dental wear and artefacts. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 372(1725), 20160377. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0377
Groenen, M. (2016). Handprints and fingerprints in rock art. Arts, 5(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts5010007
Guthrie, R. D. (2005). The Nature of Paleolithic Art. University of Chicago Press.
Hoffmann, D. L., Standish, C. D., García-Diez, M., Pettitt, P. B., Milton, J. A., Zilhão, J., … & Pike, A. W. G. (2018). U-Th dating of carbonate crusts reveals Neanderthal origin of Iberian cave art. Science, 359(6378), 912–915. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aap7778
Pike, A. W. G., Hoffmann, D. L., García-Diez, M., Pettitt, P. B., Alcolea, J., De Balbín, R., … & Zilhão, J. (2012). U-series dating of Paleolithic art in 11 caves in Spain. Science, 336(6087), 1409–1413. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1219957
Snow, D. R. (2006). Sexual dimorphism in European Upper Paleolithic cave art. American Antiquity, 71(4), 663–678. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0002731600039840
UNESCO World Heritage Centre. (1999). Cueva de las Manos, Río Pinturas. https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/936
Van Gelder, L., & Sharpe, K. (2009). Women and girls as Upper Paleolithic cave “artists”: Deciphering the sexes of the hands at Rouffignac Cave, France. Oxford Journal of Archaeology, 28(4), 323–333. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0092.2009.00332.x
Wreschner, E. E. (1983). Red ochre and human evolution: A case for discussion. Current Anthropology, 24(5), 605–625. https://doi.org/10.1086/203067
Zilhão, J., Angelucci, D. E., Badal-García, E., d’Errico, F., Daniel, F., Dayet, L., … & Higham, T. (2010). Symbolic use of marine shells and mineral pigments by Iberian Neandertals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(3), 1023–1028. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0914088107
Zilhão, J., & d’Errico, F. (1999). The chronology and taphonomy of the earliest Aurignacian and its implications for the understanding of Neandertal extinction. Journal of World Prehistory, 13(1), 1–68. https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022348410845
#AncientHumans #Anthropology #ArchaeologicalFinds #Archaeology #ArtHistory #CaveArt #DeepHistory #EarlyHumans #HandStencils #HumanOrigins #HumanStory #NeanderthalArt #Paleoanthropology #PaleolithicArt #Prehistory #RockArt #ScienceCommunication #SymbolicArt #WorldOfPaleoanthropology #archaeology #evolution #history #Science
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Pop Cryptid Spectator #1
In this edition:
- What’s up with this project
- Pop Goes the Cryptid explainer
- r/cryptid aims to be inclusive
- New cryptid media
- Texas’ Chupacabra coaster
- Cryptozoology.com shuttered
Hello! Welcome to the first edition of the Pop Cryptid Spectator, my regular (hopefully) posting of observations and commentary on my current favorite personal project – watching the parade of “cryptids” in popular culture.
I recently recalled that when I was a kid, like 9 years old, I used to collect interesting things about whatever I was interested in at the time and send to my friends or just pretend to be running a newspaper. Here I am, still doing that decades later. It seems to be what I do.
My intent with this regular posting is, roughly:
- To highlight the fun ways legendary or dubious animals are showing up in modern media.
- To explore the expansion of cryptozoology from what was originally framed as a “science-based” endeavor to what is now a mass cultural phenomenon – a profusion of strange entities that are labeled “cryptids”.
- And, to share interesting news bits I find related to “hidden” or legendary creatures.
If you are looking for me to criticize Bigfoot believers, or to make fun of Hodag hunters, there will be none of that. I would suggest that might a.) lighten up because this is not a highly serious subject and, b.) stick around to just enjoy it, because the cryptid scene is crazy right now. It’s so diverse, creative, and complicated. It’s so much more than monster hunting or extinction guilt. Cryptids are a way to express personal and regional identity, attract tourism, inspire art, examine history, explore spiritual ideas, represent liminality and a sense of the “other”. I could go on and on. There is a lot to say. So I’m going to get started.
But, I feel I have to backtrack just a bit first.
Pop Goes the Cryptid
I put out an explainer presentation called Pop Goes the Cryptid a little while ago as part of the Virtual Folk Zoology conference hosted by researcher and data scientist, Floe Foxon. Check it out if you haven’t already. I reworked the presentation a little bit and put it up on my website, as well as re-recording it into a video for people who prefer that. The reaction has been interesting. I received comments by some respected colleagues that highlighted some hot button issues in the cryptozoo. My subsequent post noting these issues just fanned the flames. In short – there is a bifurcated view of the world of cryptozoology in more than one way. And each side can be broken into additional factions. It’s messy. The two opposing camps argue a lot.
First, there is the division between those with a scientific view of cryptozoology and those who embrace the paranormal and supernatural. Now, that is grossly oversimplifying it. I’ll may try to address that at some later time but I think you get the general idea.
There is also a more nuanced break between those who wish cryptozoology would return to a more scientific framework and those who say it never was scientific and might never be. And, that’s also is an oversimplification. You can take a look at my recent writings for more explanation on that dispute.
And, there is the evergreen argument about what does or doesn’t fit under the label of “cryptid”? What’s the definition? How should the word be used? The reasons for the bickering about labels and boundaries is very much under the umbrella of my Pop Cryptid framing. However, I’ll attempt to be neutral in this forum.
Alternative naming
Venturing into the latest goings-on, I begin with a specific dispute regarding the inclusion of two popular “cryptids”. The moderator of the cryptid subreddit has broached the sensitive topic of the use of two entity names that represent Native spiritual creatures. I’ll say them once, with apologies, to clarify. It is common to see Skinwalker and Wendigo referred to as “cryptids” in the broadest sense of being secretive or hidden creatures of dubious existence. They are in no way zoological animals to be named and collected, which is why many on the subreddit don’t think they should be mentioned at all. However, they are both extremely popular in media. The “what is a cryptid” question remains the core of contention. For now, the moderator is asking contributors to come up with alternative names for these two beings. The ’S’ word has already been substituted with options “flesh gait”, “flesh pedestrian” (which is objectively stupid) and “pale crawler” based on modern storytelling, not indigenous lore. The W creature doesn’t seem to have a ready substitution, and the floor is open to suggestions. If you are familiar with the legend of the cannibal monster with a heart of ice, you probably noticed how the modern depictions play fast and loose with the lore.
And they will continue to change because they are not physical things able to captured and measured, they can morph into whatever we need them to be.
New cryptid media
The venerable Adrian Shine has a new book out on sea creatures titled A Natural History of Sea Serpents. You certainly know him – he’s the exceptionally bearded scholar of Loch Ness legends. The book was out in the UK in October and is now available in US markets and looks like a worthy volume.
Jenna Ortega and Paul Rudd are starring in a very bizarre-looking film featuring life-saving and life-threatening unicorns. In a setup that reminds me of Harry and the Henderson’s, they have a vehicular encounter with the magical creature. Death of a Unicorn is set to be released in the next few months.
Once again, we see how the line between cryptid and not-a-cryptid is more porous than a bad email spam filter. The title unicorn is labeled in at least in some media outlets as a cryptid even though it historically was not seen as such. However, in this case, it seems to literally be one.
Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park in San Antonio announced that it’s changing the branding of its Goliath roller coaster into that of the Chupacabra. The news release for the transformation includes mention of the chupa as a “Texas folklore legend”. Indeed! I was interested to see which version of the chupacabra they picked – the spiky alien kangaroo or the mangy vampire dog. Turns out they combined them both and added additional parts, embracing the chupacabra tradition of being a cultural shape-shifter representing any weird thing that looks scary.
Loss of an OG cryptid website
WordPress sent me a notice that I’ve been blogging for 18 years on that platform. But 25 years ago, there was cryptozoology.com. The site was registered in 1998, before some of you were even aware that the subject, or the internet, even existed. The site had articles about lots of popular creatures and stuck mostly to the zoological framing, as much as I can remember. I hadn’t visited in a while but, when looking for other cryptid forums online, I checked in. And it was gone. Shut down. This happened in (oops) November 2022! The domain name is still registered for the next several years. I have no clue as to what might happen to the site.
During those 25 years, the scene changed drastically. Most of the content on cryptids has shifted to Cryptid Wiki which includes more modern media and depiction of many new creatures that seem to appear or resurface from the past on a weekly basis.
Will the original .com site return all new and shiny? If it doesn’t, what a lost opportunity. However, the loss of this place on the web feeds into the Pop Cryptid trend very neatly. People don’t do an internet search for the word “cryptozoology” like they do for “cryptids”. The zoology part, while still guarded by the stalwart old-school gatekeepers, is completely overrun by the pop cryptid scene all over the web that deals in folk horror, AI and game-based creatures, cosplayers, DeviantArtists, and pokecryptids. Although a bit sad, it seems appropriate that cryptozoology.com would fade away at this time as a symbol of how things used to be.
For more on this trend from cryptozoology to cryptids, check out my post called “Cryptid” out-trends “cryptozoology”, which includes the Google trends data results comparing the two terms. There is a story being told there.
Pop Goes the Cryptid Facebook group
If you are still on Facebook, I have a page where I drop all the links I find to new cryptid content. Read them there first at facebook.com/Popcryptids
Here are some recent posts:
- Cryptid dogs subreddit r/crytpiddogs
- A Russian creature called the Witkes that may have been inspired by buried frozen mammoth carcasses
- A cryptid themed holiday bar that popped up in Wilmington, NC
- A cryptid themed band called Beach Creeper. Their surf rock content is creative and cover art is hilarious. Check them out on BandCamp.
That’s all wrap for the Pop Cryptid Spectator. I hope to be back soon to supply new observations from the world of mystery creatures.
Go to SharonAHill.com and click on Pop goes the Cryptid landing page. While you’re there, make sure you subscribe to all the posts – it’s always free and I don’t send annoying spam.
You can also email me with comments, suggestions or questions at Popcryptid(at)proton.me
Watch the video version of Pop Cryptid Spectator on my YouTube channel.
#1 #chupacabra #cryptid #Cryptozoology #deathOfAUnicorn #popCryptid #reddit #rollerCoaster #scientific #seaSerpents #Skinwalker #Wendigo
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Finally Friday Reads: The Russian Limbaughs
“Trump’s Trickle Down,” John Buss, @repeat1968
Good Day, Sky Dancers!
No one should be surprised that Russia has gone deep into the MAGA end zone to influence the outcome of this election. Republican Congress members are among Putin’s most useful idiots. Russia has always been fond of trying to corrupt U.S. elections by using anything to turn us against each other. The DonOld’s political career trajectory shows how successful they have been recently. We will undoubtedly hear more about the Russian hoax from the dotard since his mind seems incapable of being cogent this election. However, this should get people thinking more.
Again, we must rely on independent media to hear the entire story. Lisa Needham of Public Notice has this succinct article today on the recent DOJ indictment of Tenet Media. “Russia’s useful idiots. The MAGA influencer ecosystem is even shadier than we thought.”
On Wednesday, the Department of Justice indicted two employees of RT, formerly Russia Today, a Russian state-run media outlet, for covertly shoveling millions of dollars at MAGA influencers happy to do Russia’s bidding.
This has led to the delightful specter of high-profile rightwing commentators loudly insisting they were too stupid to know that Russian money was behind the wildly exorbitant sums they received for producing content.
While watching Tim Pool, Dave Rubin, and Benny Johnson scramble is hilarious, the indictment is no joke.
Indeed, it confirms that Russia continues to manipulate American politics via willing right-wingers — the exact thing Trumpers have long insisted isn’t happening.
The indictment names Kostiantyn Kalashnikov, aka Kostya, and Elena Afanasyeva, aka Lena, as the RT employees who laundered close to $10 million through foreign shell companies, ultimately raining all that money down on an unnamed American media company, US Company-1, who then passed it along to unnamed commentators 1-6.
Though unnamed, the company and several commentators are easily discernible to anyone paying attention to the rightwing media grift. The company is most definitely Tenet Media, and its founders are most definitely Lauren Chen, who was also at BlazeTV until the indictment dropped and they fired her, and her husband, Liam Donovan.
And the commentators? Tenet’s ridiculous website describes them as “heterodox commentators” and “creators who question institutions that believe themselves to be above questioning.” That would be Dave Rubin, Benny Johnson, Tim Pool, Lauren Southern, Matt Christiansen, and Tayler Hansen.
I watched some of these Russian-backed videos on the news yesterday. These guys are basically Russian Limbaughs but are pleading ignorance about their Russian Payroll Masters. This is from Mother Jones today. “Tenet Media Shutters After Being Accused of Taking $10 Million in Covert Kremlin Funding
Nothing to see here!” Senior Reporter Anna Merlan has the lede.Tenet Media’s founders, Canadian conservative YouTuber Lauren Chen and her husband Liam Donovan, have not publicly commented on the allegations against Tenet. Nor has Canadian far-right activist Lauren Southern, a Tenet contributor who appeared in many of their videos. Other prominent contributors to the site, including far-right commentator Tim Pool, described themselves as “victims” in the Tenet scandal, who were unaware that employees of RT, the Russian state media entity, were secretly funding the company. Pool announced on Thursday that he has been contacted by federal investigators, writing, “The FBI believes I have information relevant to an ongoing criminal investigation and have requested a voluntary interview. I will be offering my assistance in this matter.”
The Daily Beast reported that Chen’s contract with Blaze TV, where she also made regular appearances, has been terminated. The company has also deleted her page on their website and wiped episodes of her podcast, “Pseudo-Intellectual,” from Spotify.
YouTube told NBC News’ Brandy Zadrozny that it had deleted Tenet Media’s channel and four others operated by Chen in light of the indictment and “after careful review,” writing the steps were part of “ongoing efforts to combat coordinated influence operations.”
For now, Tenet Media’s Twitter profile, Instagram page, TikTok, and Rumble pages all remain online—though none have been updated since the indictment was announced.
You may remember that last April, a Republican Congressman complained his colleagues were spouting Russian Propaganda on the House floor. “GOP Rep. Mike Turner: Russian propaganda is ‘being uttered on the House floor.’ House Intelligence Chair Mike Turner on Sunday said several of his GOP colleagues have repeated Russian propaganda on the House floor.” It’s evident that Putin’s plan is succeeding and that Republicans are besotted with Russian talking points. The news story was reported by NBC News.
GOP Rep. Mike Turner said Sunday that Russian propaganda has taken hold among some of his House Republican colleagues and is even “being uttered on the House floor.”
“We see directly coming from Russia … communications that are anti-Ukraine and pro-Russia messages, some of which we even hear being uttered on the House floor,” Turner, chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, said in an interview on CNN’s “State of the Union.”
“There are members of Congress today who still incorrectly say that this conflict between Russia and Ukraine is over NATO, which of course it is not,” he added.
…
McCaul, a Texas Republican, told Puck News that he thinks “Russian propaganda has made its way into the United States, unfortunately, and it’s infected a good chunk of my party’s base.”
Turner and McCaul each tied Russia and its leader, Vladimir Putin, to other authoritarian leaders, including President Xi Jinping of China and Kim Jong Un, the leader of North Korea.
“[The propaganda] makes it more difficult for us to really see this as an authoritarian versus democracy battle, which is what it is,” Turner told CNN, adding, “President Xi of China, Vladimir Putin himself have identified as such.”
McCaul described explaining to colleagues that the threat of Russian propaganda is similar to threats made by other U.S. adversaries.
“I have to explain to them what’s at stake, why Ukraine is in our national security interest,” he said. “By the way, you don’t like Communist China? Well, guess what? They’re aligned [with Russia], along with the ayatollah [of Iran]. So when you explain it that way, they kind of start understanding it.”
The committee chairs’ remarks about Russian propaganda came as they spoke about the need for Congress to approve more military aid to Ukraine.
The snips I saw on news media yesterday were primarily Tim Pool screaming that Ukraine was our enemy and that we owed Russia an apology. He was pretty hysterical and shrieked a lot about our soldiers going there to die shortly. These are similar talking points made by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and Matt Gaetz during funding discussions early this year. This incident makes it even more clear that we need to elect Kamala Harris and Tim Walz to preserve NATO and our National Security.
I found the Tenet Media story the most disturbing this week, although what really caught my attention was the speech DonOld made to the Economic Club of New York. This is from Phillip Bump at the Washington Post. “Following Trump’s train of thought as it derails on a child care question. Trump sought out an applause line as if it were the sole exit in a flame-filled room.” The audience is supposed to have knowledge in the fields of finance and economics. Their clapping was disturbing as he rattled on about childcare as if it were an abstract notion, and his take on tariffs is basically the opposite of reality. He rambled on with a series of incomplete sentences and just weirdness. Tariffs are a tax on consumers. Period. They caused the Great Depression. The folks in the room know better. They should say something.
I’m sure these folks are getting richer by every tick of the Wall Street clock and know we’re not in an economic disaster. They’re also aware that what’s driving the entire thing is record corporate profits, too. The last equity market highs were set just 7 days ago. But, hey, tax cuts for billionaires are where it’s at! Back to Phillip Bump.
On Thursday, his push to be elected for a second term as president brought him to the Economic Club of New York. The organization prides itself on its sober, informed assessments of the economic and political worlds, meaning that Trump was already somewhat disadvantaged. His politics are not predicated on his grasp of policy but on appeals to the politically disaffected. His descriptions of how things are working are much more effective with people who don’t know how things work.
But the question that tripped him up, the one that launched a thousand criticisms and not a few memes, was one focused on something that he should theoretically have had a grasp on: child care.
“If you win in November,” a panelist asked, “can you commit to prioritizing legislation to make child care affordable and if so, what specific piece of legislation will you advance?”
Here is Trump’s entire answer, verbatim.
“Well, I would do that, and we’re sitting down — you know, I was, uh, somebody, we had Sen. Marco Rubio [(R-Fla.)] and my daughter, Ivanka, was so, uh, impactful on that issue. It’s a very important issue.”
“But I think when you talk about the kind of numbers that I’m talking about, that — because child care is child care. It’s, couldn’t — you know, it’s something, you have to have it. In this country, you have to have it.”“But when you talk about those numbers compared to the kind of numbers that I’m talking about by taxing foreign nations at levels that they’re not used to but they’ll get used to it very quickly. And it’s not going to stop them from doing business with us, but they’ll have a very substantial tax when they send product into our country.”
“Those numbers are so much bigger than any numbers that we’re talking about, including child care, that it’s gonna take care. We’re gonna have — I, I look forward to having no deficits within a fairly short period of time. Coupled with, uh, the reductions that I told you about on waste and fraud and all of the other things that are going on in our country — because I have to say with child care, I want to stay with childcare, but those numbers are small relative to the kind of economic numbers that I’m talking about, including growth.”
“But growth also headed up by what the plan is that I just, uh, that I just told you about. We’re gonna be taking in trillions of dollars, and as much as childcare is talked about as being expensive, it’s, relatively speaking, not very expensive compared to the kind of numbers we’ll be taking in.”
“We’re going to make this into an incredible country that can afford to take care of its people and then we’ll worry about the rest of the world. Let’s help other people. But we’re gonna take care of our country first. This is about America first. It’s about: Make America great again. We have to do it, because right now we’re a failing nation. So we’ll take care of it. Thank you. Very good question.”I know I have a doctorate in Financial Economics, teach it at the graduate level, and have worked in the industry during the Dark Reagan years, but really, as just a mother with that issue back in the day, WTF? This is one of those questions that every working family deals with and knows the parameters. This man stumbled through because he undoubtedly had children but didn’t have to think of childcare because wives and wealth. The answer was buffoonish and completely unintelligible. Digby says it all here at Salon.”Donald Trump’s incoherence makes the media’s double standard hard to hide. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris curiously don’t get the same coverage.”
It seems like only yesterday that the elite media were extremely concerned that President Joe Biden had mistakenly referred to the president of Egypt as the president of Mexico. In the course of an otherwise cogent discussion of foreign affairs, he’d made that mistake in passing but it caused a huge uproar and spawned yet another round of critical reporting about his age and mental capacities. No one in the press blew off the gaffe and the substance of his comments went virtually unreported.
That press conference came in the shadow of the Hur report, in which the special counsel made a gratuitous comment about Biden being an elderly man with a bad memory. From that moment on almost every story about Joe Biden was framed in terms of his advanced age and the question of whether he was up to the job. The drumbeat continued for months until Biden’s disastrous debate performance validated the narrative and it continued until the day he withdrew from the race. No one in the media cut Joe Biden any slack for his performance.
Donald Trump, on the other hand, has been speaking nonsense and spouting gibberish on the campaign trail and the media is covering for him by pretending that his verbal incontinence actually makes sense or by ignoring it altogether. Yes, there’s been some mordant chuckling in the media over his bizarre comments about “the late great Hannibal Lecter” and his meandering tales about electric boats and shark attacks. Those stories are all delivered with a twinkling eye-roll as if to say “Oh that wacky Trump, there he goes again” as if it’s just a funny little anecdote, apropos of nothing.
And it’s true that he’s always done this to some extent. His speeches and press conferences are surreal windows into his undisciplined, puerile mind. Despite his regular protestations that he’s “like, really smart,” he communicates at a 4th grade level (the lowest level of any of the past 15 presidents going back to Hoover) and uses the same handful of words and phrases over and over again to cover for the fact that he never really has any idea what he’s talking about.
But Trump’s getting worse and the press is failing to properly report it. Over the past couple of weeks, the problem has gotten more acute and there has been very little recognition of it. Because political reporters have normalized his unfit intellectual and emotional characteristics for so long they’re just continuing to cover him as if they are perfectly ordinary even though he is rapidly deteriorating,
The good news is here at CNBC. “Eighty-eight corporate leaders endorse Harris in new letter, including CEOs of Yelp, Box.” Looks like some business leaders want their business to thrive and not just their personal portfolios.
I’m hoping BB will really get into the weeds on this one, but I had to put the news about the Sentencing Hearing that was supposed to happen on Monday. This is from CBS News, as reported by Graham Kates. “Judge delays sentencing in Trump’s New York criminal case, pushing decision past election.” This is the hush money case in case you can’t keep them all straight like me.
A New York judge has delayed former President Donald Trump’s sentencing date in his criminal case for a second time, allowing Trump to wait until after the election to learn his fate after his conviction in his “hush money” case.
Trump had been scheduled to be sentenced in the case on Sept. 18. His attorneys asked on Aug. 14 for his sentencing to be pushed back until after the presidential election, arguing that a delay is necessary to resolve ongoing legal challenges to his conviction.
Justice Juan Merchan issued an order on Friday delaying sentencing until Nov. 26.
Merchan wrote that he made the decision “to avoid any appearance — however unwarranted — that the proceeding has been affected by or seeks to affect the approaching Presidential election in which the Defendant is a candidate.”
“The Court is a fair, impartial, and apolitical institution,” he continued, adding that the postponement “should dispel any suggestion that the Court will have issued any decision or imposed sentence either to give an advantage to, or to create a disadvantage for, any political party and or any candidate for any office.”
Trump was convicted in May by a unanimous jury on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Prosecutors said Trump signed off on a scheme to hide reimbursements to a lawyer who wired a $130,000 “hush money” payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels days before the 2016 presidential election. Trump denied the encounter and pleaded not guilty.
Merchan has wide leeway in determining Trump’s sentence. The charges carry a maximum sentence of up to four years in jail, but Merchan can also hand down a sentence that involves a variety of alternatives to incarceration, including probation. Most legal observers expect Trump to avoid jail time, given his status as a first-time offender and sentences handed down for the same crime in other cases.
Trump was originally scheduled to be sentenced on July 11, but that date was pushed back after he filed a motion seeking to set aside his conviction following a landmark Supreme Court ruling on presidential immunity. The judge’s decision on that effort is expected on Sept. 16.
News on his federal election interference case also became available this week. This is from MSNBC, as reported by Jordan Rubin. “Judge Chutkan doesn’t find Judge Cannon’s ruling on Jack Smith’s appointment ‘particularly persuasive’ The judge in Trump’s D.C. case didn’t sound impressed with the Florida judge’s ruling. Ultimately, it may be the Supreme Court’s view that counts.”
Donald Trump’s federal election interference case is finally back in the trial court, where U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan held a hearing Thursday mainly to discuss how to proceed after the Supreme Court’s immunity ruling. But the hearing also gave Chutkan an opportunity to criticize U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon’s dismissal of Trump’s classified documents case on the grounds that special counsel Jack Smith was unlawfully appointed.
Chutkan didn’t sound impressed with Cannon’s July 15 ruling, which cited Justice Clarence Thomas’ solo concurring opinion in which he questioned Smith’s appointment just a couple of weeks earlier in the immunity decision. Chutkan said on Thursday, “You have an opinion filed by another district judge in another circuit which, frankly, this Court doesn’t find particularly persuasive.”
Still, the Republican presidential nominee’s legal team is pressing the issue in the Washington, D.C., case, alongside their immunity claims and other arguments. It makes sense for them to do so, even though there’s binding precedent in the D.C. Circuit that knocks down the unlawful appointment claim. While that precedent means that Trump is unlikely to prevail on the subject in Washington lower courts as he has in Florida (so far), it would be strange for the defense not to press the issue at this point, especially after a Supreme Court justice raised it.
Evidently, the defense team considers Justice Clarence Thomas to be part of its team. The Judge was not amused. We’ll probably hear more analysis today and over the weekend on both cases.
So, there is certainly a lot going on right now. One bit of good news since polling will start being a little more relevant now. I just tend to see if there’s a trend vs. just random variation, which is normal in every data series over time. Emerson College Polling released this today. ” September State Polling: California, Florida, Ohio, Texas.”
New Emerson College Polling/The Hill statewide polls find Donald Trump leading Kamala Harris by ten in Ohio, 53% to 43%, five in Florida, 50% to 45%, four in Texas, 50% to 46%, while Harris leads Trump in California 60% to 36%. Races in Florida and Texas are within the polls’ margin of error, while California and Ohio fall outside the polls’ margin of error.
Here’s the take from The Hill‘s Jared Gans. “New poll shows Florida, Texas within margin of error in Harris-Trump race.”
The results are a bit closer than what some other polling has found on the races but not completely out of sync with recent polls that have shown a tighter race in those states.
Not much independent polling from major institutions has been done on Texas and Florida since Harris became the Democratic nominee.
Winning either Florida, which Democrats had carried in 2008 and 2012 before the state voted for Trump twice in a row, or Texas, which Democrats have held increasing hopes about flipping blue in recent years, would be an uphill battle for Harris.
The forecast model from The Hill/Decision Desk HQ gives Trump an 83 percent chance of winning Texas and a 75 percent chance of winning Florida. But Florida is only rated as “lean Republican,” and some polls for both states have had Trump leading by single digits.
A Florida Atlantic University poll from last month had Trump’s lead in the Sunshine State at just 3 points, and a poll from two Texas universities had Trump leading in the Lone Star State by 5 points.
The Emerson poll showed Harris just behind Trump in favorability rating for the states. His net favorability rating was positive 2 points in both, while the vice president’s in both was negative 2 points.
I just think it’s good news that both Florida and Texas are at play. The Harris/Walz campaign is covering rural areas and all bases in these now in play states. This NPR article is important if you’re still following the Arlington Cemetary debacle. “Trump deputy campaign manager identified in Arlington National Cemetery dustup.”
The two staffers, according to a source with knowledge of the incident, are deputy campaign manager Justin Caporale and Michel Picard, a member of Trump’s advance team.
Caporale is a one time aide to former first lady Melania Trump who left the White House to work for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis before returning to the Trump campaign. He was also listed as the on-site contact and project manager for the Women for America First rally in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021 where Trump urged the crowd to “stop the steal” before some of them stormed the U.S. Capitol.
After Trump participated in a wreath laying ceremony on the third anniversary of the deadly bombing at Abbey Gate in Afghanistan that killed 13 U.S. service members, Trump visited Section 60 at the invitation of some family members and friends of the fallen soldiers.
ANC rules, that had been made clear to the Trump campaign in advance, say that only an official Arlington photographer can take pictures or film in Section 60. When an ANC employee tried to enforce the rules, she was verbally abused by the two Trump campaign operatives, according to a source with knowledge of the incident. Picard then pushed her out of the way according to two Pentagon officials.
I think the Trump campaign has basically let all the rabid dogs off their leashes and that the former “guard rails” have left the building. I imagine it’s going to get worse the closer we get to the election. I just hope the nation has had it with this nasty, incompetent, incoherent orange thing. Wow, this post is long! Have a great weekend!
What’s on your reading and blogging list today?
#DonOld #Repeat1968 #JohnBuss #RussianLimbaughs #TenetMediaAndRussianElectionInterference #TrumpBlatherNYEconomicsClub #TrumpTrials #TrumpSIncoherentSpeeches #Weirdo
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BiblioTech: ReReading the Post-digital Library, edited by Nathan Jones and Sam Skinner, is now out.
https://torquetorque.net/publications/bibliotech-2/
BiblioTech looks at how #libraries, #Reading, #Writing, and #publishing have changed in the #postdigital age.
'What is the library-as-institution in the context of advanced #AI language tools, new forms of #text and #image processing, and the increasing spread of publishing #technologies into our lives? How might the #library evolve within the next phases of digitisation entangled with issues of #climatechange mental health, #SocialJustice and #automation?
Contributors:
Johanna Drucker, Federico Campagna, Joanne Fitzpatrick, Wafaa Bilal, Mahdy Abo Bahat, Rosa Menkman, Joe Devlin, Erica Scourti, Silvio Lorusso, Jake Reber, Malthe Stavning Erslev, Søren Bro Pold, Winnie Soon, Joana Chicau, Anna Barham, Sumuyya Khader, Katie Paterson, Ilari Laamanen, Jenna Sutela, J. R. Carpenter, Library Stack, Tom Schofield
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Exelerate – Hell for the Helpless Review
By Grin Reaper
After dropping their self-titled debut in 2023, Exelerate returns with their patented twist of power thrash to unleash Hell for the Helpless. This cross-genre hybrid takes the speed and wiolence of thrash and marries it with the upbeat and anthemic buoyancy of power metal. Megadeth and Dio are listed as primary influences, but I hear more recent Flotsam & Jetsam, Unleash the Archers and Iced Earth. Exelerate skewed heavily toward thrash on their debut, but they tone down the aggression to embrace power metal swagger on Hell for the Helpless. While they continue to flex technical chops and guitar wizardry, the speed and flamboyance of Exelerate take a back seat this go round. Perhaps this is to put a finer point on their new album’s concept, which is billed as an exploration of adverse mental states and the capacity to overcome through healing and understanding. It’s a noble position, and one I believe could connect with listeners, but does the reformulation help Hell for the Helpless cross the finish line, or do they take the foot off the Exelerater and run out of gas?
Generally speaking, concept albums are comprised of an interconnectedness between songs that transcends face value. At the risk of gravely oversimplifying, there are two flavors—narrative and thematic concepts. Hell for the Helpless bears the flag of the latter. Exelerate brings musical congruity, as there are self-referential moments like when the mournful guitar melody from “The Breach” creeps back in toward the end of “The Summoning.” While I admire the cleverly interwoven motifs, it’s not enough to earn the ‘concept’ moniker. The best concept albums merge narrative and thematic cohesion in ways that are immediately accessible yet profoundly tethered, and there’s more Exelerate could have done to distill their message. Adding a story or featuring guest vocalists to represent different mental maladies could have accentuated the nuances of the themes explored. Instead, Hell for the Helpless feels a touch light on conceptual gravity.
Still, Exelerate finds plenty of moments to dazzle with their musicianship, excelling when it comes to hooky guitar licks and throat-searing falsettos. Guitarist Mads Sorensen and guitarist/vocalist Stefan Jensen set fretboards aflame across Hell for the Helpless, slinging neoclassical solos (“The Summoning”) and dispensing frenetic bursts of arpeggiated runs (“A Painful Debt”). There’s nary a track that isn’t sticky with ear candy, and even when the pace slows down (“Falling in Lust”), Sorensen and Jensen make those bad axes wail. Speaking of wailing, Jensen doesn’t hold back during his vocal onslaught. Living somewhere between Queensrÿche’s Geoff Tate and Flotsam & Jetsam’s Eric Knutson, Jensen most frequently occupies power metal’s comfort zone of high-pitched histrionics. At the top end of his register, he bears a passing resemblance to Unleash the Archers’ Brittney Slayes (“Stranger out of Time”). Jensen also dips into growls (“Impending Doom”), adding welcome variation in the back half. The rhythm section earns their keep as well—bassist Io Sklarstrup rumbles along and drummer Stig Eilsøe-Madsen drives the momentum throughout. There aren’t many showy moments for them, but the duo skillfully supports the foundation of Hell for the Helpless.
Despite the slick musicianship and luster of a deft production, Hell for the Helpless falters when evaluated as a whole. Power metal is no stranger to bloat, and the fifty-three-minute runtime is too long for what Exelerate deals out. Six of the ten tracks clear the five-minute mark, but they lack the riff diversity and substance to sustain those lengths. A minute could be trimmed from most tracks and engender a tighter, more focused album, rather than songs seeming like butter scraped over too much bread. Regardless of this and the concept execution stumble, Hell for the Helpless is a success. The mix gives all contributors space to be heard and appreciated, and the guitar tone is perfect for power thrash.
Exelerate’s latest revs my engine, goosing the throttle in lots of right ways. Addictive guitars, supercharged melodies, and singalong choruses deserve at least one spin, although repeated listens will remain a hurdle for some. I quite enjoyed my many listens and think Hell for the Helpless is a bundle of fun. Refining their approach will turbo boost what comes next for Exelerate and I’ll patrol for future releases from these Danes with my fingers crossed that we get the high-octane thrill ride they’re capable of driving.
Rating: Good
DR: 7 | Format Reviewed: 320 kb/s mp3
Label: From the Vaults
Websites: exelerate.bandcamp.com | exelerate.dk | facebook.com/Exelerateband
Releases Worldwide: September 12th, 2025#2025 #30 #Dio #DutchMetal #Exelerate #FlotsamJetsam #FromTheVaults #HellForTheHelpless #IcedEarth #Megadeth #PowerMetal #PowerThrash #Queensryche #Review #Reviews #Sep25 #ThrashMetal #UnleashTheArchers
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I recently joined Science Integrity Alliance as Editorial Lead. REACH is the alliance's quarterly magazine for research integrity and open science and just published its second issue.
https://www.sci-integrity.com/reach-october-december-2025
I can't take credit for this fantastic edition (other than a quick proofread) - that's down to Luciana Machado and the editorial committee, including Daniel Ucko and Maryam Sayab - but I'll be contributing to both this and our forums at https://www.sci-integrity.com/groups. These include our open Integrity Café and our HIKE Forum (Hub for Integrity and Knowledge Exchange) for contributors and subscribers to discuss resources and approaches to integrity with invited experts.
If there are any projects, products, or news related to scientific integrity that you'd like us to cover, please get in touch.
#ResearchIntegrity #PublicationEthics #ResponsibleResearch #OpenScience #OpenScholarship #ScientificIntegrity #ScienceIntegrity #ScienceEditing #SciComm #ScienceIntegrityAlliance
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Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Found in the Andean cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,800 metres.
One of the cutest #mammals recently discovered is already at risk. With their bear-like faces, cat-like bodies, and lush tawny fur, the olinguito Bassaricyon neblina is an adorable button-nosed mammal of #Ecuador and #Colombia. They first made themselves known to the western world in 2006 in Ecuador and were officially described in 2013 and are considered ‘Near Threatened’ mainly from deforestation and forest clearing for #palmoil agriculture along with road building, infrastructure and gold mining throughout their range. Native to the misty cloud forests of the northern Andes, they are increasingly threatened by industrial agribusiness, palm oil plantations, and agriculture. Over 40% of their habitat has already been destroyed. Use your wallet as a weapon: always choose #palmoilfree products and be #vegan to help protect olinguitos and other species of the Andean Cloud Forest#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
#Olinguitos are button-nosed #mammals 😻🦦 of the Cloud Forests in #Ecuador 🇪🇨 and #Colombia 🇨🇴 Their lives are threatened by #goldmining 🥇 #meat 🥩and #palmoil 🌴 #deforestation. Help them! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterDiscovered not long ago, #Olinguitos are #bear-like tenacious survivors. Despite hiding well, their forests are rapidly disappearing for #palmoil and #meat agriculture. Help them survive! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & Behaviour
The olinguito is reminiscent of teddy bear and a domestic cat, with thick, soft, russet and tawny coloured fur, a short snout with a button-like nose, small ears, and a long fluffy tail used for balance in the treetops. Typically weighing under one kilogram, they are the smallest member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). Nocturnal and arboreal, they live high in the forest canopy and are rarely seen. Solitary by nature, they are also reclusive and actively avoid human interaction.
Threats
Despite being classified as Near Threatened, there are no known large-scale conservation programmes or protected areas specifically designed to safeguard the olinguito or their habitat. Many of the forests where they live are under private ownership or are unprotected, leaving them at the mercy of logging companies, agribusiness, and illegal land grabs. Without legal safeguards and ecological corridors between forest remnants, olinguito populations will continue to decline unnoticed. Over 42% of their potential range has already been cleared or degraded for mining and agriculture.
Widespread deforestation of Andean cloud forests for agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure
Much of the olinguito’s Andean cloud forest habitat has already been cleared for cattle pasture, coffee plantations, and crop fields. This is especially concerning given the species’ limited elevational range and dependence on specific microclimates. Habitat loss fragments populations and prevents them from moving between forest patches, leading to genetic isolation and increased vulnerability. According to Helgen et al. (2013), 42% of the olinguito’s historical range has already been lost to agriculture and urban development.
Palm oil and timber plantations rapidly consuming native forest habitat.
Large swathes of cloud forest are being destroyed to establish oil palm and timber plantations. These monocultures are ecological deserts that offer no food or shelter for frugivorous mammals like the olinguito. Although oil palm expansion is often focused in lowland regions, it is encroaching into higher elevations in parts of Colombia and Ecuador due to market demand and land speculation. This spells danger for highland endemics like the olinguito, whose misty habitat is already shrinking.
Urbanisation and road development, fragmenting their canopy habitat
As human populations expand into previously remote areas, forest is cleared for roads, settlements, and industrial development. Even if some patches of cloud forest remain, roads cut through ecosystems, isolating wildlife and increasing mortality from vehicle collisions. Urban sprawl also brings dogs and other invasive species that can harass, predate, or outcompete native animals. The olinguito’s canopy-dependent, arboreal lifestyle makes it especially susceptible to the effects of fragmentation and edge habitat.
Climate change, which threatens the stability of montane ecosystems.
Cloud forests are highly sensitive to temperature and moisture changes. As global temperatures rise, the delicate balance of mist, rainfall, and cool air that defines this biome is shifting. Suitable habitat may move upslope, but mountaintops provide a limited refuge. Once a species is pushed beyond its climatic limit, local extinction becomes inevitable. The olinguito already lives at the uppermost altitudes suitable for its survival, making it dangerously vulnerable to climate-induced habitat contraction.
Geographic Range
Olinguitos live in humid montane forests between 1,500 and 2,800 metres in elevation in western Colombia and Ecuador, including forests near Medellín in Colombia and the Otonga Forest Reserve in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This species occupies the highest known range of any member of the genus Bassaricyon. Though only officially recognised in 2013, museum specimens had been mislabelled for decades prior to that.
Diet
Despite belonging to the carnivoran order, olinguitos are primarily frugivores. They feed on cloud forest fruits such as figs, as well as insects, nectar, and occasionally small vertebrates like birds and lizards. Their faeces are said to resemble small blueberries due to their fruit-heavy diet.
Mating and Reproduction
Very little is known about the reproductive behaviour of the olinguito, but it is believed they produce a single offspring at a time. Females have one pair of mammae. Their solitary lifestyle and canopy-based habits make studying them in the wild extremely difficult.
FAQs
How many olinguitos are left in the wild?
No population estimates exist for the olinguito, but scientists agree numbers are declining. Habitat modelling shows over 60% of their potential habitat is already deforested or degraded, suggesting a significant threat to survival (Helgen et al., 2013).
What is the lifespan of an olinguito?
Captive individuals like Ringerl—an olinguito unknowingly housed in US zoos for years—lived over a decade. Wild lifespan is presumed to be shorter, but specific data are lacking.
What are the main threats to the olinguito?
The biggest threats are deforestation and habitat loss driven by palm oil plantations, agriculture, and urbanisation. These activities have destroyed over 40% of their cloud forest habitat (Helgen et al., 2013). Climate change is also a growing concern due to their dependence on cool, moist mountain forests.
Do olinguitos make good pets?
No. Olinguitos are solitary, nocturnal, and specialised to live in misty canopy forests. Keeping them as pets is cruel and contributes to wildlife trafficking. Their capture disrupts family groups and decimates populations. If you care about olinguitos, do not fuel demand—speak out against the pet trade.
Take Action!
Olinguitos are an emblem of the hidden biodiversity in the world’s cloud forests—ecosystems that are vanishing fast.
- Boycott palm oil and demand truly forest-free alternatives.
- Support indigenous-led agroecology and forest protection efforts in the Andes.
- Refuse meat and dairy that drives deforestation in Colombia and Ecuador.
- Never support zoos or exotic pet collectors that remove wildlife from their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat
Support the Olinguito by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Helgen, K. M., Pinto, C. M., Kays, R., Helgen, L. E., Tsuchiya, M. T. N., Quinn, A., Wilson, D. E., & Maldonado, J. E. (2013). Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the olinguito. ZooKeys, 324, 1–83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.324.5827
Helgen, K., Kays, R., Pinto, C., Schipper, J. & González-Maya, J.F. 2020. Bassaricyon neblina (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T48637280A166523067. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T48637280A166523067.en. Accessed on 02 May 2025.
Lee, T. E., Tinoco, N., Allred, F. G., Hennecke, A., Camacho, M. A., & Burneo, S. F. (2022). Small mammals of Otonga Forest Reserve, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The Southwestern Naturalist, 66(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-66.1.48
NBC News. (2013, August 16). ‘Cutest new animal’ discovered: It’s an olinguito! https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Olinguito. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 May 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olinguito
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Enter your email address
Sign Up
Join 3,180 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Read moreMel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Read moreAnthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Read moreHealth Physician Dr Evan Allen
Read moreThe World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
Read moreHow do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
Read more3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNG Keep readingSanta Catarina’s Guinea Pig Cavia intermedia
Keep readingKeel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Keep readingAsian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus
Keep readingMarsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found in West Papua
Keep readingGursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae
Keep readingLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more #animals #Bear #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #carnivores #coffee #Colombia #deforestation #Ecuador #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #goldmining #hunting #infrastructure #Mammal #mammals #meat #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #NearThreatenedSpecies #NearThreatened #nocturnal #OlinguitoBassaricyonNeblina #Olinguitos #omnivore #omnivores #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #palmoilfree #poaching #roads #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #vegan #VulnerableSpecies -
Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Found in the Andean cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,800 metres.
One of the cutest #mammals recently discovered is already at risk. With their bear-like faces, cat-like bodies, and lush tawny fur, the olinguito Bassaricyon neblina is an adorable button-nosed mammal of #Ecuador and #Colombia. They first made themselves known to the western world in 2006 in Ecuador and were officially described in 2013 and are considered ‘Near Threatened’ mainly from deforestation and forest clearing for #palmoil agriculture along with road building, infrastructure and gold mining throughout their range. Native to the misty cloud forests of the northern Andes, they are increasingly threatened by industrial agribusiness, palm oil plantations, and agriculture. Over 40% of their habitat has already been destroyed. Use your wallet as a weapon: always choose #palmoilfree products and be #vegan to help protect olinguitos and other species of the Andean Cloud Forest#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
#Olinguitos are button-nosed #mammals 😻🦦 of the Cloud Forests in #Ecuador 🇪🇨 and #Colombia 🇨🇴 Their lives are threatened by #goldmining 🥇 #meat 🥩and #palmoil 🌴 #deforestation. Help them! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterDiscovered not long ago, #Olinguitos are #bear-like tenacious survivors. Despite hiding well, their forests are rapidly disappearing for #palmoil and #meat agriculture. Help them survive! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & Behaviour
The olinguito is reminiscent of teddy bear and a domestic cat, with thick, soft, russet and tawny coloured fur, a short snout with a button-like nose, small ears, and a long fluffy tail used for balance in the treetops. Typically weighing under one kilogram, they are the smallest member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). Nocturnal and arboreal, they live high in the forest canopy and are rarely seen. Solitary by nature, they are also reclusive and actively avoid human interaction.
Threats
Despite being classified as Near Threatened, there are no known large-scale conservation programmes or protected areas specifically designed to safeguard the olinguito or their habitat. Many of the forests where they live are under private ownership or are unprotected, leaving them at the mercy of logging companies, agribusiness, and illegal land grabs. Without legal safeguards and ecological corridors between forest remnants, olinguito populations will continue to decline unnoticed. Over 42% of their potential range has already been cleared or degraded for mining and agriculture.
Widespread deforestation of Andean cloud forests for agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure
Much of the olinguito’s Andean cloud forest habitat has already been cleared for cattle pasture, coffee plantations, and crop fields. This is especially concerning given the species’ limited elevational range and dependence on specific microclimates. Habitat loss fragments populations and prevents them from moving between forest patches, leading to genetic isolation and increased vulnerability. According to Helgen et al. (2013), 42% of the olinguito’s historical range has already been lost to agriculture and urban development.
Palm oil and timber plantations rapidly consuming native forest habitat.
Large swathes of cloud forest are being destroyed to establish oil palm and timber plantations. These monocultures are ecological deserts that offer no food or shelter for frugivorous mammals like the olinguito. Although oil palm expansion is often focused in lowland regions, it is encroaching into higher elevations in parts of Colombia and Ecuador due to market demand and land speculation. This spells danger for highland endemics like the olinguito, whose misty habitat is already shrinking.
Urbanisation and road development, fragmenting their canopy habitat
As human populations expand into previously remote areas, forest is cleared for roads, settlements, and industrial development. Even if some patches of cloud forest remain, roads cut through ecosystems, isolating wildlife and increasing mortality from vehicle collisions. Urban sprawl also brings dogs and other invasive species that can harass, predate, or outcompete native animals. The olinguito’s canopy-dependent, arboreal lifestyle makes it especially susceptible to the effects of fragmentation and edge habitat.
Climate change, which threatens the stability of montane ecosystems.
Cloud forests are highly sensitive to temperature and moisture changes. As global temperatures rise, the delicate balance of mist, rainfall, and cool air that defines this biome is shifting. Suitable habitat may move upslope, but mountaintops provide a limited refuge. Once a species is pushed beyond its climatic limit, local extinction becomes inevitable. The olinguito already lives at the uppermost altitudes suitable for its survival, making it dangerously vulnerable to climate-induced habitat contraction.
Geographic Range
Olinguitos live in humid montane forests between 1,500 and 2,800 metres in elevation in western Colombia and Ecuador, including forests near Medellín in Colombia and the Otonga Forest Reserve in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This species occupies the highest known range of any member of the genus Bassaricyon. Though only officially recognised in 2013, museum specimens had been mislabelled for decades prior to that.
Diet
Despite belonging to the carnivoran order, olinguitos are primarily frugivores. They feed on cloud forest fruits such as figs, as well as insects, nectar, and occasionally small vertebrates like birds and lizards. Their faeces are said to resemble small blueberries due to their fruit-heavy diet.
Mating and Reproduction
Very little is known about the reproductive behaviour of the olinguito, but it is believed they produce a single offspring at a time. Females have one pair of mammae. Their solitary lifestyle and canopy-based habits make studying them in the wild extremely difficult.
FAQs
How many olinguitos are left in the wild?
No population estimates exist for the olinguito, but scientists agree numbers are declining. Habitat modelling shows over 60% of their potential habitat is already deforested or degraded, suggesting a significant threat to survival (Helgen et al., 2013).
What is the lifespan of an olinguito?
Captive individuals like Ringerl—an olinguito unknowingly housed in US zoos for years—lived over a decade. Wild lifespan is presumed to be shorter, but specific data are lacking.
What are the main threats to the olinguito?
The biggest threats are deforestation and habitat loss driven by palm oil plantations, agriculture, and urbanisation. These activities have destroyed over 40% of their cloud forest habitat (Helgen et al., 2013). Climate change is also a growing concern due to their dependence on cool, moist mountain forests.
Do olinguitos make good pets?
No. Olinguitos are solitary, nocturnal, and specialised to live in misty canopy forests. Keeping them as pets is cruel and contributes to wildlife trafficking. Their capture disrupts family groups and decimates populations. If you care about olinguitos, do not fuel demand—speak out against the pet trade.
Take Action!
Olinguitos are an emblem of the hidden biodiversity in the world’s cloud forests—ecosystems that are vanishing fast.
- Boycott palm oil and demand truly forest-free alternatives.
- Support indigenous-led agroecology and forest protection efforts in the Andes.
- Refuse meat and dairy that drives deforestation in Colombia and Ecuador.
- Never support zoos or exotic pet collectors that remove wildlife from their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat
Support the Olinguito by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Helgen, K. M., Pinto, C. M., Kays, R., Helgen, L. E., Tsuchiya, M. T. N., Quinn, A., Wilson, D. E., & Maldonado, J. E. (2013). Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the olinguito. ZooKeys, 324, 1–83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.324.5827
Helgen, K., Kays, R., Pinto, C., Schipper, J. & González-Maya, J.F. 2020. Bassaricyon neblina (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T48637280A166523067. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T48637280A166523067.en. Accessed on 02 May 2025.
Lee, T. E., Tinoco, N., Allred, F. G., Hennecke, A., Camacho, M. A., & Burneo, S. F. (2022). Small mammals of Otonga Forest Reserve, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The Southwestern Naturalist, 66(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-66.1.48
NBC News. (2013, August 16). ‘Cutest new animal’ discovered: It’s an olinguito! https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Olinguito. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 May 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olinguito
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Enter your email address
Sign Up
Join 3,180 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Read moreMel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Read moreAnthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Read moreHealth Physician Dr Evan Allen
Read moreThe World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
Read moreHow do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
Read more3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGSanta Catarina’s Guinea Pig Cavia intermedia
Keep readingKeel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Keep readingAsian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus
Keep readingMarsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found in West Papua
Keep readingGursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae
Keep readingSunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus
Keep readingLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more #animals #Bear #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #carnivores #coffee #Colombia #deforestation #Ecuador #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #goldmining #hunting #infrastructure #Mammal #mammals #meat #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #NearThreatenedSpecies #NearThreatened #nocturnal #OlinguitoBassaricyonNeblina #Olinguitos #omnivore #omnivores #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #palmoilfree #poaching #roads #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #vegan #VulnerableSpecies -
Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Found in the Andean cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,800 metres.
One of the cutest #mammals recently discovered is already at risk. With their bear-like faces, cat-like bodies, and lush tawny fur, the olinguito Bassaricyon neblina is an adorable button-nosed mammal of #Ecuador and #Colombia. They first made themselves known to the western world in 2006 in Ecuador and were officially described in 2013 and are considered ‘Near Threatened’ mainly from deforestation and forest clearing for #palmoil agriculture along with road building, infrastructure and gold mining throughout their range. Native to the misty cloud forests of the northern Andes, they are increasingly threatened by industrial agribusiness, palm oil plantations, and agriculture. Over 40% of their habitat has already been destroyed. Use your wallet as a weapon: always choose #palmoilfree products and be #vegan to help protect olinguitos and other species of the Andean Cloud Forest#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
#Olinguitos are button-nosed #mammals 😻🦦 of the Cloud Forests in #Ecuador 🇪🇨 and #Colombia 🇨🇴 Their lives are threatened by #goldmining 🥇 #meat 🥩and #palmoil 🌴 #deforestation. Help them! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterDiscovered not long ago, #Olinguitos are #bear-like tenacious survivors. Despite hiding well, their forests are rapidly disappearing for #palmoil and #meat agriculture. Help them survive! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & Behaviour
The olinguito is reminiscent of teddy bear and a domestic cat, with thick, soft, russet and tawny coloured fur, a short snout with a button-like nose, small ears, and a long fluffy tail used for balance in the treetops. Typically weighing under one kilogram, they are the smallest member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). Nocturnal and arboreal, they live high in the forest canopy and are rarely seen. Solitary by nature, they are also reclusive and actively avoid human interaction.
Threats
Despite being classified as Near Threatened, there are no known large-scale conservation programmes or protected areas specifically designed to safeguard the olinguito or their habitat. Many of the forests where they live are under private ownership or are unprotected, leaving them at the mercy of logging companies, agribusiness, and illegal land grabs. Without legal safeguards and ecological corridors between forest remnants, olinguito populations will continue to decline unnoticed. Over 42% of their potential range has already been cleared or degraded for mining and agriculture.
Widespread deforestation of Andean cloud forests for agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure
Much of the olinguito’s Andean cloud forest habitat has already been cleared for cattle pasture, coffee plantations, and crop fields. This is especially concerning given the species’ limited elevational range and dependence on specific microclimates. Habitat loss fragments populations and prevents them from moving between forest patches, leading to genetic isolation and increased vulnerability. According to Helgen et al. (2013), 42% of the olinguito’s historical range has already been lost to agriculture and urban development.
Palm oil and timber plantations rapidly consuming native forest habitat.
Large swathes of cloud forest are being destroyed to establish oil palm and timber plantations. These monocultures are ecological deserts that offer no food or shelter for frugivorous mammals like the olinguito. Although oil palm expansion is often focused in lowland regions, it is encroaching into higher elevations in parts of Colombia and Ecuador due to market demand and land speculation. This spells danger for highland endemics like the olinguito, whose misty habitat is already shrinking.
Urbanisation and road development, fragmenting their canopy habitat
As human populations expand into previously remote areas, forest is cleared for roads, settlements, and industrial development. Even if some patches of cloud forest remain, roads cut through ecosystems, isolating wildlife and increasing mortality from vehicle collisions. Urban sprawl also brings dogs and other invasive species that can harass, predate, or outcompete native animals. The olinguito’s canopy-dependent, arboreal lifestyle makes it especially susceptible to the effects of fragmentation and edge habitat.
Climate change, which threatens the stability of montane ecosystems.
Cloud forests are highly sensitive to temperature and moisture changes. As global temperatures rise, the delicate balance of mist, rainfall, and cool air that defines this biome is shifting. Suitable habitat may move upslope, but mountaintops provide a limited refuge. Once a species is pushed beyond its climatic limit, local extinction becomes inevitable. The olinguito already lives at the uppermost altitudes suitable for its survival, making it dangerously vulnerable to climate-induced habitat contraction.
Geographic Range
Olinguitos live in humid montane forests between 1,500 and 2,800 metres in elevation in western Colombia and Ecuador, including forests near Medellín in Colombia and the Otonga Forest Reserve in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This species occupies the highest known range of any member of the genus Bassaricyon. Though only officially recognised in 2013, museum specimens had been mislabelled for decades prior to that.
Diet
Despite belonging to the carnivoran order, olinguitos are primarily frugivores. They feed on cloud forest fruits such as figs, as well as insects, nectar, and occasionally small vertebrates like birds and lizards. Their faeces are said to resemble small blueberries due to their fruit-heavy diet.
Mating and Reproduction
Very little is known about the reproductive behaviour of the olinguito, but it is believed they produce a single offspring at a time. Females have one pair of mammae. Their solitary lifestyle and canopy-based habits make studying them in the wild extremely difficult.
FAQs
How many olinguitos are left in the wild?
No population estimates exist for the olinguito, but scientists agree numbers are declining. Habitat modelling shows over 60% of their potential habitat is already deforested or degraded, suggesting a significant threat to survival (Helgen et al., 2013).
What is the lifespan of an olinguito?
Captive individuals like Ringerl—an olinguito unknowingly housed in US zoos for years—lived over a decade. Wild lifespan is presumed to be shorter, but specific data are lacking.
What are the main threats to the olinguito?
The biggest threats are deforestation and habitat loss driven by palm oil plantations, agriculture, and urbanisation. These activities have destroyed over 40% of their cloud forest habitat (Helgen et al., 2013). Climate change is also a growing concern due to their dependence on cool, moist mountain forests.
Do olinguitos make good pets?
No. Olinguitos are solitary, nocturnal, and specialised to live in misty canopy forests. Keeping them as pets is cruel and contributes to wildlife trafficking. Their capture disrupts family groups and decimates populations. If you care about olinguitos, do not fuel demand—speak out against the pet trade.
Take Action!
Olinguitos are an emblem of the hidden biodiversity in the world’s cloud forests—ecosystems that are vanishing fast.
- Boycott palm oil and demand truly forest-free alternatives.
- Support indigenous-led agroecology and forest protection efforts in the Andes.
- Refuse meat and dairy that drives deforestation in Colombia and Ecuador.
- Never support zoos or exotic pet collectors that remove wildlife from their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat
Support the Olinguito by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Helgen, K. M., Pinto, C. M., Kays, R., Helgen, L. E., Tsuchiya, M. T. N., Quinn, A., Wilson, D. E., & Maldonado, J. E. (2013). Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the olinguito. ZooKeys, 324, 1–83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.324.5827
Helgen, K., Kays, R., Pinto, C., Schipper, J. & González-Maya, J.F. 2020. Bassaricyon neblina (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T48637280A166523067. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T48637280A166523067.en. Accessed on 02 May 2025.
Lee, T. E., Tinoco, N., Allred, F. G., Hennecke, A., Camacho, M. A., & Burneo, S. F. (2022). Small mammals of Otonga Forest Reserve, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The Southwestern Naturalist, 66(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-66.1.48
NBC News. (2013, August 16). ‘Cutest new animal’ discovered: It’s an olinguito! https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Olinguito. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 May 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olinguito
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Enter your email address
Sign Up
Join 3,180 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Read moreMel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Read moreAnthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Read moreHealth Physician Dr Evan Allen
Read moreThe World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
Read moreHow do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
Read more3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGSanta Catarina’s Guinea Pig Cavia intermedia
Keep readingKeel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Keep readingAsian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus
Keep readingMarsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found in West Papua
Keep readingGursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae
Keep readingSunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus
Keep readingLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more #animals #Bear #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #carnivores #coffee #Colombia #deforestation #Ecuador #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #goldmining #hunting #infrastructure #Mammal #mammals #meat #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #NearThreatenedSpecies #NearThreatened #nocturnal #OlinguitoBassaricyonNeblina #Olinguitos #omnivore #omnivores #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #palmoilfree #poaching #roads #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #vegan #VulnerableSpecies -
Olinguito Bassaricyon neblina
IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
Found in the Andean cloud forests of western Colombia and Ecuador, at elevations between 1,500 and 2,800 metres.
One of the cutest #mammals recently discovered is already at risk. With their bear-like faces, cat-like bodies, and lush tawny fur, the olinguito Bassaricyon neblina is an adorable button-nosed mammal of #Ecuador and #Colombia. They first made themselves known to the western world in 2006 in Ecuador and were officially described in 2013 and are considered ‘Near Threatened’ mainly from deforestation and forest clearing for #palmoil agriculture along with road building, infrastructure and gold mining throughout their range. Native to the misty cloud forests of the northern Andes, they are increasingly threatened by industrial agribusiness, palm oil plantations, and agriculture. Over 40% of their habitat has already been destroyed. Use your wallet as a weapon: always choose #palmoilfree products and be #vegan to help protect olinguitos and other species of the Andean Cloud Forest#BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife
#Olinguitos are button-nosed #mammals 😻🦦 of the Cloud Forests in #Ecuador 🇪🇨 and #Colombia 🇨🇴 Their lives are threatened by #goldmining 🥇 #meat 🥩and #palmoil 🌴 #deforestation. Help them! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫 #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterDiscovered not long ago, #Olinguitos are #bear-like tenacious survivors. Despite hiding well, their forests are rapidly disappearing for #palmoil and #meat agriculture. Help them survive! Be #vegan #Boycottpalmoil 🌴⛔️ #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect https://wp.me/pcFhgU-bBX
Share to BlueSky Share to TwitterAppearance & Behaviour
The olinguito is reminiscent of teddy bear and a domestic cat, with thick, soft, russet and tawny coloured fur, a short snout with a button-like nose, small ears, and a long fluffy tail used for balance in the treetops. Typically weighing under one kilogram, they are the smallest member of the raccoon family (Procyonidae). Nocturnal and arboreal, they live high in the forest canopy and are rarely seen. Solitary by nature, they are also reclusive and actively avoid human interaction.
Threats
Despite being classified as Near Threatened, there are no known large-scale conservation programmes or protected areas specifically designed to safeguard the olinguito or their habitat. Many of the forests where they live are under private ownership or are unprotected, leaving them at the mercy of logging companies, agribusiness, and illegal land grabs. Without legal safeguards and ecological corridors between forest remnants, olinguito populations will continue to decline unnoticed. Over 42% of their potential range has already been cleared or degraded for mining and agriculture.
Widespread deforestation of Andean cloud forests for agriculture, livestock, and infrastructure
Much of the olinguito’s Andean cloud forest habitat has already been cleared for cattle pasture, coffee plantations, and crop fields. This is especially concerning given the species’ limited elevational range and dependence on specific microclimates. Habitat loss fragments populations and prevents them from moving between forest patches, leading to genetic isolation and increased vulnerability. According to Helgen et al. (2013), 42% of the olinguito’s historical range has already been lost to agriculture and urban development.
Palm oil and timber plantations rapidly consuming native forest habitat.
Large swathes of cloud forest are being destroyed to establish oil palm and timber plantations. These monocultures are ecological deserts that offer no food or shelter for frugivorous mammals like the olinguito. Although oil palm expansion is often focused in lowland regions, it is encroaching into higher elevations in parts of Colombia and Ecuador due to market demand and land speculation. This spells danger for highland endemics like the olinguito, whose misty habitat is already shrinking.
Urbanisation and road development, fragmenting their canopy habitat
As human populations expand into previously remote areas, forest is cleared for roads, settlements, and industrial development. Even if some patches of cloud forest remain, roads cut through ecosystems, isolating wildlife and increasing mortality from vehicle collisions. Urban sprawl also brings dogs and other invasive species that can harass, predate, or outcompete native animals. The olinguito’s canopy-dependent, arboreal lifestyle makes it especially susceptible to the effects of fragmentation and edge habitat.
Climate change, which threatens the stability of montane ecosystems.
Cloud forests are highly sensitive to temperature and moisture changes. As global temperatures rise, the delicate balance of mist, rainfall, and cool air that defines this biome is shifting. Suitable habitat may move upslope, but mountaintops provide a limited refuge. Once a species is pushed beyond its climatic limit, local extinction becomes inevitable. The olinguito already lives at the uppermost altitudes suitable for its survival, making it dangerously vulnerable to climate-induced habitat contraction.
Geographic Range
Olinguitos live in humid montane forests between 1,500 and 2,800 metres in elevation in western Colombia and Ecuador, including forests near Medellín in Colombia and the Otonga Forest Reserve in Cotopaxi, Ecuador. This species occupies the highest known range of any member of the genus Bassaricyon. Though only officially recognised in 2013, museum specimens had been mislabelled for decades prior to that.
Diet
Despite belonging to the carnivoran order, olinguitos are primarily frugivores. They feed on cloud forest fruits such as figs, as well as insects, nectar, and occasionally small vertebrates like birds and lizards. Their faeces are said to resemble small blueberries due to their fruit-heavy diet.
Mating and Reproduction
Very little is known about the reproductive behaviour of the olinguito, but it is believed they produce a single offspring at a time. Females have one pair of mammae. Their solitary lifestyle and canopy-based habits make studying them in the wild extremely difficult.
FAQs
How many olinguitos are left in the wild?
No population estimates exist for the olinguito, but scientists agree numbers are declining. Habitat modelling shows over 60% of their potential habitat is already deforested or degraded, suggesting a significant threat to survival (Helgen et al., 2013).
What is the lifespan of an olinguito?
Captive individuals like Ringerl—an olinguito unknowingly housed in US zoos for years—lived over a decade. Wild lifespan is presumed to be shorter, but specific data are lacking.
What are the main threats to the olinguito?
The biggest threats are deforestation and habitat loss driven by palm oil plantations, agriculture, and urbanisation. These activities have destroyed over 40% of their cloud forest habitat (Helgen et al., 2013). Climate change is also a growing concern due to their dependence on cool, moist mountain forests.
Do olinguitos make good pets?
No. Olinguitos are solitary, nocturnal, and specialised to live in misty canopy forests. Keeping them as pets is cruel and contributes to wildlife trafficking. Their capture disrupts family groups and decimates populations. If you care about olinguitos, do not fuel demand—speak out against the pet trade.
Take Action!
Olinguitos are an emblem of the hidden biodiversity in the world’s cloud forests—ecosystems that are vanishing fast.
- Boycott palm oil and demand truly forest-free alternatives.
- Support indigenous-led agroecology and forest protection efforts in the Andes.
- Refuse meat and dairy that drives deforestation in Colombia and Ecuador.
- Never support zoos or exotic pet collectors that remove wildlife from their habitats. #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife #Vegan #BoycottMeat
Support the Olinguito by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Helgen, K. M., Pinto, C. M., Kays, R., Helgen, L. E., Tsuchiya, M. T. N., Quinn, A., Wilson, D. E., & Maldonado, J. E. (2013). Taxonomic revision of the olingos (Bassaricyon), with description of a new species, the olinguito. ZooKeys, 324, 1–83. https://doi.org/10.3897/zookeys.324.5827
Helgen, K., Kays, R., Pinto, C., Schipper, J. & González-Maya, J.F. 2020. Bassaricyon neblina (amended version of 2016 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T48637280A166523067. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T48637280A166523067.en. Accessed on 02 May 2025.
Lee, T. E., Tinoco, N., Allred, F. G., Hennecke, A., Camacho, M. A., & Burneo, S. F. (2022). Small mammals of Otonga Forest Reserve, Cotopaxi Province, Ecuador. The Southwestern Naturalist, 66(1), 48–53. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-66.1.48
NBC News. (2013, August 16). ‘Cutest new animal’ discovered: It’s an olinguito! https://www.nbcnews.com/sciencemain/cutest-new-animal-discovered-its-olinguito-6C10925572
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Olinguito. Wikipedia. Retrieved 2 May 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olinguito
How can I help the #Boycott4Wildlife?
Take Action in Five Ways
1. Join the #Boycott4Wildlife on social media and subscribe to stay in the loop: Share posts from this website to your own network on Twitter, Mastadon, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube using the hashtags #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife.
Enter your email address
Sign Up
Join 3,180 other subscribers2. Contribute stories: Academics, conservationists, scientists, indigenous rights advocates and animal rights advocates working to expose the corruption of the palm oil industry or to save animals can contribute stories to the website.
Read moreMel Lumby: Dedicated Devotee to Borneo’s Living Beings
Read moreAnthropologist and Author Dr Sophie Chao
Read moreHealth Physician Dr Evan Allen
Read moreThe World’s Most Loved Cup: A Social, Ethical & Environmental History of Coffee by Aviary Doert
Read moreHow do we stop the world’s ecosystems from going into a death spiral? A #SteadyState Economy
Read more3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
https://twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status/1526136783557529600?s=20
https://twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status/1749010345555788144?s=20
https://twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1678027567977078784?s=20
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your supportLearn about other animals endangered by palm oil and other agriculture
Global South America S.E. Asia India Africa West Papua & PNGSanta Catarina’s Guinea Pig Cavia intermedia
Keep readingKeel-billed Toucan Ramphastos sulfuratus
Keep readingAsian Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinereus
Keep readingMarsupials thought extinct for 6,000 years found in West Papua
Keep readingGursky’s Spectral Tarsier Tarsius spectrumgurskyae
Keep readingSunda Flying Lemur Galeopterus variegatus
Keep readingLearn about “sustainable” palm oil greenwashing
Read more about RSPO greenwashing
Lying Fake labels Indigenous Land-grabbing Human rights abuses Deforestation Human health hazardsA 2019 World Health Organisation (WHO) report into the palm oil industry and RSPO finds extensive greenwashing of palm oil deforestation and the murder of endangered animals (i.e. biodiversity loss)
Read more #animals #Bear #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottMeat #BoycottPalmOil #carnivores #coffee #Colombia #deforestation #Ecuador #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #goldmining #hunting #infrastructure #Mammal #mammals #meat #meatAgriculture #meatDeforestation #NearThreatenedSpecies #NearThreatened #nocturnal #OlinguitoBassaricyonNeblina #Olinguitos #omnivore #omnivores #PalmOil #palmOilDeforestation #palmoil #palmoilfree #poaching #roads #SeedDispersers #seeddispersal #vegan #VulnerableSpecies -
Digital Commons EDIC launched, but is it the wrong Commons?
The Digital Commons EDIC was launched on 11 December 2025 in The Hague. I had previously praised the project for (hopefully) building a home for open social networks (in German). After the Bundestag’s budget committee had approved the federal budget for 2026, allocating a core budget of just €1.36 billion to the Ministry of Digital Affairs, I updated that post, noting that the German contribution to the EU Consortium for Digital Commons Infrastructure will be a meagre €240,000 in 2026. After the launch, it is time for another update.
At the celebration, the three initiators France, Germany and the Netherlands presented their national open office suites LaSuite, OpenDesk and MijnBureau. And of course, there were keynotes, including by Thibaut Kleiner, Director of Future Networks at DG CONNECT, representing the European Commission, by Art de Blaauw, the Technical Director of the Dutch government, and by Bert Hubert, entrepreneur, software developer and technical advisor at various government departments, representing his own tech smartness.
Since Hubert, in contrast to the others, was so nice to publish his presentation, he will be the lens through which I look at the launch.
I agree with nearly everything Hubert writes. His analysis of how bad things are, of Europe’s utter dependence on US and Chinese services. That governments need to become leaders in IT.
Requirements for a successful digital commons
I also agree with his six requirements for a successful digital commons, which are his central argument. I just don’t think they are sufficient. The first three of which are widely agreed on in the community: the commons needs to be Free Software and open standards, open implementations and gatekeepers with open governance.
The other three, Hubert writes “are often neglected and I hope that we can have a role here [as an EDIC]”: the commons product needs to also be provided as a service, with actual marketing and sales and it needs to be ‘good without excuses.’ On the latter point, I have to admit that I also tend to believe that what is good will prevail. But rationally, I agree with Hubert. Nobody will move away from a dominant platform because the alternative is European or Free Software. Particularly not, when they are told that it’s good but a bit tricky to install or the user interface is slightly clunky and so on.
What is a commons?
But then we come to “the tricky business of defining what a digital commons is.” Hubert starts out on a good track. If you have a digital commons, he argues, you have digital sovereignty, but not the other way round. With a European Amazon owned by Deutsche Telekom there is ‘sovereignty’ but as little commons as before.
I’m also totally with him in his critique of the “false digital commons”, i.e. services that are free to use and that people consider infrastructure for running their life, e.g. Google Docs, Youtube, Discord or ChatGPT.
Plan of a mediaeval manor, used in Hubert’s presentation, originally from Wikipedia, in the public domain.But then the account takes a wrong turn, precisely when asking: “What are these digital commons? Well, we heard this morning from the minister that it was this field where everyone could let their sheep graze and stuff.”
That you don’t have to ask permission doesn’t make it a commons
This single sentence evokes the idea of Garrett Hardin’s pseudo-commons – the one with the tragedy, introduced in a widely cited article in Science in December 1968 (The Tragedy of the Commons). And he continues: “I think they also had fights over that and who could put on their sheep there first. So it’s not that easy.” Here we see Elinor Ostrom appearing at the horizon: The idea that the commons cannot be a piece of land onto which isolated individuals put animals without talking to each other until it’s overused.
Hubert mentions Mastodon as an example for a digital commons – “Because everyone can always join in. … These are things that are quite clearly where you can say, yeah, this is digital and it is a commons. Because everyone can use it, everyone can take part. … You did not have to ask permission from anyone.”
Particularly this latter sentence is the signature formula of the Silicon Valley-adjacent hyper-individualised copyright lawyers behind Creative Commons. By using any combination of the CC license building blocks, an author signals to users that they are free to perform acts which by copyright law default are reserved to him. Once they see these signals on a work, users do not need to ask additional permission from the author or from CC or anyone else.
I will return to this, but first back to Hubert’s confusion. “But if you want to say, what is a digital commons, you have a far harder time. There are very academic definitions that do not quite help us.” Here I strongly disagree. Ostrom’s seminal 1990 book, Governing the Commons: The Evolution of Institutions for Collective Action is very worth reading and quite helpful for disentangling the issues at hand.
Hubert is seemingly unaware of Ostrom’s work, yet his intuition guides him to the insight that “we should also in many cases have governance like the Wikipedia has governance that people spend a lot of time on. OpenStreetMap has whole conferences to decide what to do.”
Public parks and streets are not commons either
Now we are no longer talking about the consumptive freedom of everybody allowed to use Wikipedia or OSM or a free-for-all pasture – ‘without having to ask permission’ – but about a collective who jointly creates and maintains a resource and spends a lot of time on making rules for itself for doing so sustainably.
The commons is not a ‘thing’. It is also not a label or a license attached to a thing that makes it a commons. Nor are public parks, streets and sidewalks commons, as US law scholars on both West and East Coast will regularly claim. This seems to be the result of the historic enclosure of the commons which led to them being dissolved into either private property, i.e. they disappeared, or – public property, in which case all that remained was a name.
When you search for ‘commons’ on OSM in UK, US or Ireland, you will find parks, nature reserves, settlements, buildings that conserve the name ‘commons.’ Yet the name does not make them a commons.
Cambridge Common bordering on several parts of Harvard University (OSM).These typically provide free access to all citizens who don’t have to ask permission. Not because they are a commons, but because they are owned and maintained by a national trust or by the state and run by the street and park authorities.
In contrast, a commons is a social formation, a community of commoners who sustainably make use of a joint resource. No community of commoners, no commons.
Hardin’s fallacy: Consumptive freedom without communication
The real tragedy is that even 26 years after Ostrom received the Nobel Prize in economics for refuting Hardin’s BS science, the word ‘commons’ still triggers if not the word, at least the idea of a tragedy. Even in good people like Hubert.
There is a video recording of Elinor Ostrom being amused about the naivety of Hardin’s approach: No data! Only an armchair thought experiment: Just imagine a pasture open to anyone. Where people didn’t talk to each other and just put on as many animals as they could! That became like a religion. The presumption is that people are helpless. They need either government to tell them what to do or to privatise the resource.
The idea that people could collectively self-organise did not even occur to Hardin. His tragedy of the commons consist in the fact that he does not talk about a commons at all, but about a free access regime.
Let’s remember that Hardin was a Malthusian ‘human ecologist’ preoccupied with the issue of overpopulation. He wasn’t concerned about people putting cows on meadows but about people putting more people into the world. And this respect he proclaimed: “Freedom to Breed Is Intolerable” (Hardin 1968).
In a natural setting, ‘parents who bred too exuberantly’ would have their offspring decimated by natural selection which would leave only the strongest to survive. Yet the welfare state grants security and healthcare to all.
“In a welfare state, how shall we deal with the family, the religion, the race, or the class (or indeed any distinguishable and cohesive group) that adopts over-breeding as a policy to secure its own aggrandizement? To couple the concept of freedom to breed with the belief that everyone born has an equal right to the commons is to lock the world into a tragic course of action.” (Hardin 1968)
What Hardin had in mind looks pretty much like what Trump is currently doing: dismantle the welfare state and let natural selection run its course. When the poor have been decimated or driven out of the country and immigrants are kept out, what remains is a WASP ethno-nationalist state of the rich. To top it off, Trump is even planning to celebrate his ‘achievements’ with Hunger Games (Forbes 19.12.2025).
The most widely cited sentence from Hardin’s infamous article is: “Freedom in a commons brings ruin to all.” Yet even he himself nearly thirty years later – in an interview that nobody knows – had to acknowledge that he was wrong. Or at least not careful enough. If he were doing it over again, he says, he would write: “In a crowded world, an unmanaged commons cannot possibly work.” He still cannot get the idea out of his mind that a commons is a free-for-all:
“I pointed out that if the world is not crowded, a commons may in fact be the best method of distribution. For example, when the pioneers spread out across the United States, the most efficient way was to treat all the game in the wild as a commons, an unmanaged commons (‘Just fire away’) because for a long time they couldn’t do any real damage.” (Hardin 1997)
By adding the attribute ‘unmanaged’ he did admit that he did not write about a commons at all because an unmanaged commons is an oxymoron. Again: a commons is not a thing that can be managed or unmanaged, instead it is precisely a form of collective management, of time-consuming communication. Hardin’s fallacy is to only perceive an individual’s consumptive use exercised without permission. Like in most cases of CC license use.
The real commons, revitalised by Ostrom
There is a long history of scholarship on actually existing commons and their enclosure. Who ever has read Karl Marx, Das Kapital, will remember that the ‘original accumulation’ of capital1 is based on two dynamics: the enclosure of the commons, leading to large masses of people forcefully torn from the land and thrown onto the labour market as ‘free’ proletarians, and colonisation of the Global South, the looting of its wealth and the enslavement of its people (Cf. Grassmuck 2013).
Max Weber in Economy and Society (1922) under the heading ‘Types of communitisation and socialisation’ describes the formation of a system as ‘closure to the outside’ through the original drawing of boundaries. This can be the members of a tribe or village jointly clearing forst or cultivating moorland areas, the association of fishing interests in a particular body of water, the closure of participation in the fields, pastures and other common land of a village to outsiders or an association of engineers that seeks to enforce a monopoly on certain positions for its members. These constitute a group-monopolisation of social and economic opportunities and thus the creation of ‘property’ in collective ownership. In a second step, according to Weber, the ‘closure to the inside’, a differentiation that he calls ‘appropriation’ of the monopolised shares by individuals, then creates private property.
It seems that Hardin’s tragic 1969 article essentially cut off that tradition of research by proclaiming – without data – that every commons inevitably leads to overuse. He gave the ‘commons’ a bad name.
To the point where Ostrom found it necessary to drop the word entirely and replace it with ‘common pool resources’ in order to save the idea. She spent most of her life’s work refuting Hardin’s article by conducting rigorous empirical studies on water management systems, fisheries, alpine high pastures, forestries and other natural resources in many countries that are managed as a commons and often have been for centuries. This is obviously only possible when 1) there is a clearly delineated community 2) who makes rules for themselves. These are unsurprisingly two of the eight design principles for sustainable commons into which Ostrom condensed the conclusions of her research into. I will return them in my own conclusions.
Ostrom, the only ever female economist to win a Nobel Prize, revitalised the idea that the commons is not only a tragic thing from the Middle Ages but a very present and practical but mostly overlooked social formation with much potential to help us find alternative solutions to many of today’s problems.
Her commons clearly resonate with contemporary research and have inspired fresh work on commons communities and practices.
Yochai Benkler has coined the concept of Commons-Based Peer-Production as a third way of resource management emerging in the digitally networked environment next to top-down managed firms and price-signal driven markets (Benkler 2002; 2016).
Philosopher Rahel Jaeggi analyses commons practices as counter-model to the alienation of capitalist wage labour by enabling communal production, participation and control, where individuals act in connection rather than isolation (Jaeggi 2018; Fraser & Jaeggi 2020).
Both Michel Bauwens (P2P Foundation) and Silke Helfrich have created large bodies of original work as well as libraries of resources on the commons.
Closer to home, i.e. the DC EDIC, Sophie Bloemen and David Hammerstein, in A Commons Approach to European Knowledge Policy (2015), recount the tragedy that “[f]or decades, the commons has been dismissed as a failed system”, a misconception steming from a Hardin’s infamous 1968 “essay.”
“While this understanding of the commons is widespread, a commons is, in truth, something richer and deeper. It is not just the resource alone, but a social system – one that arises through the interactions of people who devise their own locally appropriate, mutually agreeable rules for managing resources that matter to them. Value creation and stewardship in a commons occur through the active participation of a community of people. Or as the historian Peter Linebaugh has put it, ‘There is no commons without commoning.’” (ibid.)
The digital commons
Ostrom also ventured into grappling with information resources and digital objects. Those are not scarce in that they can be copied and shared endlessly without being diminished. If a GNU/Linux distro and Wikipedia can be used freely by millions without taking anything away from others – and without having to ask permission –, why should we have governance, as Hubert noted?
The GNU GPL grants maximum freedoms of use to software works but famously, in its copleft provision, requires reciprocity for productive use: if you create and publish a derivative work under this license you must do so under the same terms. Or as the preamble of the first verion reads: “To protect your rights, we need to make restrictions that forbid anyone to deny you these rights or to ask you to surrender the rights.”
A more general Definition of ‘Open’ also requires distribution of derivatives of the licensed work to be under the same terms of the original licensed work. Among the CC variants, only the Share-Alike building block achives the same effect.
So why this condition to reciprocate? The first answer: to prevent free-riding by making valuable modifications of the work of thousands of contributors and selling them as a closed proprietary product. This free-riding might frustrate the volunteers who maintain and develop Free Software and write Wikipedia articles. As I have argued elsewhere (Grassmuck 2011), the scarce resource that needs to be protected is the willingness to contribute.
It clearly points to something larger than an issue of individual users and individual producers. It implies a community of producers regulating their internal relations. And such a community, e.g. Wikimedians, can, of course, decide to change the terms of these relations, e.g. when Wikimedians voted to change the license from GNU FDL to CC-BY-SA in 2009.
What needs to be protected by the community of commoners is not the final product, but the community of producers itself. A commons needs governance, that people, as Hubert had remarked, spend a lot of time on.
The Digital Commons EDIC
And the DC EDIC will undoubtedly also spend a lot of time on it. A “European Digital Infrastructure Consortium“ (EDIC) is an EU instrument that enables Member States to jointly develop, establish and operate cross-border digital infrastructures with its own governance and legal personality.
Will the Consortium of states itself become infrastructure provider with a commons governance between them or will they rather facilitate the creation of an infrastructure commons by actors like the IT industry, academia and civil society? State actors, as Hubert noted, don’t typically build and operate digital infrastructure themselves, they prefer to procure it as a service. Funding programmes, calls and tenders are typical instruments of states to get the tech they want.
And from experience they know that dealing with hackers isn’t easy. Therefore a design feature for these kind of arrangements has proven itself: As a state, don’t talk to hackers directly, find friendly techies to do it for you.
An example is the Next Generation Internet EU funding programme, for which the European Commission commissioned the NLnet Foundation, which goes back to the guys who in the early 1980s originally brought the Internet to Europe, to handle the selection and management of projects.
Similarly, applicants to the German Prototype Fund are met by an organisation set up by the Open Knowledge Foundation Germany who have created something that is not intended by the normal funding activities of the German Ministry for Research: low-threshold support for individual developers or small groups allowing them to work on a software prototype for six months. The Prototype Fund has simplified the application procedures to the max and guides applicants through it. An additional interface between Ministry and hackers is the German Aerospace Center (DLR) that acts as project management agency. Therefore the EDIC is well-advised to set up a similar interface towards the hackers who it enables to develop cool stuff on different layers of the Internet stack.
Whatever the EDIC builds, it needs to adhere to Hubert’s six requirements for a successful digital commons. It needs to be Free Software and open standards, apply state of the art usability and advertise its goodies.
It also needs to go back to Ostrom’s eight design principles for collective self-governance: 1) Clearly defined boundaries delineate who is in and who is out of the obligation to support the common resource, while extracting units of the digital good remains free for all. 2) The congruence between appropriation and provision rules and local conditions points to the limited ability of commoners to contribute to developing and maintaining the common digital resource, including moderation of social networks. Upholding this congruence requires a commons of care: the community at large needs to ensure the wellbeing of those who create the basis of their joint online environment, e.g. the fediverse, and prevent burn-out. 3) Collective-choice arrangements refer to the internal democracy of the commons, allowing individuals affected by the operational rules to participate in modifying these rules. 4) The conditions of the commons need to be monitored, 5) there need to be graduated sanctions against those who violate the agreed rules and 6) conflict-resolution mechanisms to settle disputes. 7) The recognition of rights to organise by external governmental authorities is ensured, as the commoners in this case are governments. And finally, as a European consortium, 8) all the above mechanisms need to be organised in multiple layers of nested and federated enterprises, i.e. the European layer has to have corresponding structures on the national and local level.
Never before has the commons been addressed at such a high level of policy making. Let’s hope the EDIC will be guided by the right vision of a commons and spill over into inspiring forms of commoning in other areas as well.
Notes
1‘Ursprüngliche Akkumulation’, unfortunately regularly mistranslated to ‘primitive accumulation.’
#Allmende #Commons #Europe #FreeCulture #freeSoftware #Internet #publicPolicy -
G'day all. I'm pleased to announce hledger 2.0 preview release 2, with many refinements to lot tracking, based on user testing.
(And also hledger 1.52.1, which adds hledger 2-compatible G and U account types to hledger 1.)
- https://github.com/simonmichael/hledger/releases/tag/1.99.2
- https://hledger.org/relnotes.html#2026-04-28-hledger-1992
- https://hledger.org/installRelease contributors: Simon Michael, Joshua Chapman.