Deforestation affects animals in many ways. It causes habitat destruction, increased risk of predation, reduced food availability, and much more. As a result, some animals lose their homes, others lose food sources – and finally, many lose their lives. In fact, deforestation is one of the main causes of extinction.

What animals does deforestation affect the most? Deforestation has dramatic effects for all animals, whether they live in rivers, oceans, forests, mountains, or skies. The most affected group of animals are those that are endemic to a specific area or ecosystem, which is directly or closely linked with the forest.

Several animals affected by deforestation include the pygmy elephant, Sumatran rhino, pandas, orangutans, chimpanzees, etc. Deforestation is far more of a problem than we can imagine, and it extends beyond habitat loss for these animals.

Deforestation has severe consequences for animals, leading to habitat loss, biodiversity decline, and increased human-wildlife conflicts. Species like the Sumatran tiger, orangutan, and jaguar face heightened extinction risks.

This is exactly what happens to animals affected by deforestation. A jaguar that loses its forest not only loses its home. It is left without prey to hunt, without shade to seek refuge in, and in many cases, is forced to invade human areas, putting its life at risk.