Cendrawasih on brink of extinction

JAYAPURA, Papua: Protected cendrawasih, or birds of paradise, found in the Papuan village of Yairus, are facing extinction due to excessive forest exploitation, according to environmental activists.

Gerry Yeuyanan, of the Eco Papua Alliance Foundation, said on Wednesday that research conducted by his group recently indicated that most big trees, the natural homes of the birds, have been felled by loggers.

One of the habitats of the birds, in the Raja Ampat islands, has actually been declared a conservation area. But due to a lack of control by forestry officials, it is now in a state of disarray, he said.

Raja Ampat islands, which consist of Batanta, Salawati, Missol and Waigeo islands, is also rich in marine wildlife.

The yellow-and-red tufted bird, which is small in size, is not found anywhere else in either Papua, or Maluku provinces. -- Antara