Cuscus slips toward oblivion

Cuscus slips toward oblivion

MANOKWARI, Irian Jaya: Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF)
scientists warned here on Saturday that the number of white
cuscus (phalanger urinua) in Irian Jaya was dwindling at an
alarming rate and the animal was nearing extinction.

WWF's Duncen Neville noted that illegal poaching and
increasing habitat damage were the reasons for the depletion of
the animal's number.

He said the cuscus' slow breeding habits presented an obstacle
to conservation efforts.

Endemic fauna of the province is now scare, especially after
many companies received forest concessions, he said as quoted by
Antara.

Conservation efforts, jointly launched by WWF and the local
natural resource conservation agency, have faced difficulties
because many local people often ignore the programs, the British
scientist said.

Neville did not disclose the estimated population of the
animal.