Local orangutans face extinction<\/p>\n
SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Forest fires and illegal hunting
\nhave been posing grave threats to orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus)
\nliving in East Kalimantan's forests, an expert of the Ministry of
\nForestry said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Dr. Willie Smits said the fires have been burning their food,
\nmaking them weak and vulnerable to poachers.<\/p>\n
An official of the Research Center for the Rehabilitation of
\nOrangutans in Semboja, Adi Susilo, said six out of 10 orangutans
\ntaken by traders of rare animals die before they are sold.<\/p>\n
\"Most of them die of illnesses or maybe from injuries
\nsustained while they were being caught,\" he said.<\/p>\n
He said the center is now caring for at least 140 orangutans,
\nwhich were seized by the authorities from illegal traders or
\nwhich were turned over by people.<\/p>\n
One orangutan expert at the center, Herman Rijksen, said that
\nfollowing the rehabilitation program, the apes are returned to
\ntheir natural habitat.<\/p>\n
The center, he said, has released hundreds of orangutans into
\nthe jungles of the Kutai National Park in East Kalimantan and the
\nconservation area at the Mt. Meratus mountain range in Central
\nKalimantan. About 2,500 orangutans are living in the jungles of
\nEast Kalimantan.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/local-orangutans-face-extinction-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}