Conservation group discovers large population of orangutans in remote Indonesian forest[<\/p>\n
Associated Press, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Nature Conservancy says that it has discovered a large
\npopulation of endangered orangutans while surveying a remote
\nforest in central Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Researchers said they had found more than 2,500 animals in
\nEast Kalimantan province on Borneo island. The find would be
\nsignificant because it could increase the known primate
\npopulation - estimated between 14,000 and 25,000 and mostly in
\nIndonesia - by nearly one-fifth.<\/p>\n
\"This find represents one of the last, best chances to protect
\na large healthy population of wild orangutans,\" said Steve
\nMcCormick, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy.<\/p>\n
The environmental group said it will sign a declaration with
\nauthorities in East Kalimantan and the Ministry of Forestry to
\nconserve and manage the lowland forests where the orangutans were
\nfound.<\/p>\n
\"The discovery of a large, biologically viable orangutan
\npopulation in East Kalimantan is very significant,\" said Birute
\nMary Galdikas, president of Orangutan Foundation International.<\/p>\n
\"This find extends the orangutan's known range and gives us
\nhope that we can save the orangutan population from extinction in
\nthe wild.\"<\/p>\n
Orangutans face extinction because of their popularity as pets
\nand in circus acts in Indonesia and overseas. They are also
\nlosing out to illegal logging and development, which are
\ndestroying their natural habitat.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/conservation-group-discovers-large-population-of-orangutans-in-remote-indonesian-forest-1447899208",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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