Isabella goes ape over palm oil products

JASON OXENHAM/Auckland City Harbour News

YOUNG CONSERVATIONIST: Isabella Wilson, 10, led a campaign against palm oil to help save orang-utans.

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"Truly amazing."

That's how Isabella Wilson felt after being named Young Conservationist of the Year.

She won Auckland Zoo's inaugural award last week for her commitment to orang-utan conservation.

"I absolutely screamed," the 10-year-old says.

"It feels amazing - like I could change the world."

Isabella campaigned against palm oil because of its toll on the orangutan's natural jungle habitat.

"The orangutans aren't doing anything to us, but we are killing them," she says.

"We all need to stop buying products that contain palm oil from these countries and demand manufacturers to use other sources of vegetable oil."

Isabella became aware of the issue after visiting the orang-utan enclosure at the zoo in February.

She immediately set out to rid her pantry of products containing palm oil, and her grandparents and neighbours; too.

The Pt Chevalier Primary pupil also gave a presentation to her school about the threat palm oil production, resulting in the school removing products containing palm oil from the tuck-shop.

Auckland Zoo conservation officer Peter Fraser commends Isabella for standing up for what she believes in, even though it has involved personal sacrifice. "She is a shining example of how people with passion and drive can really make a difference," he says.

- © Fairfax NZ News