Elephants' habitat under threat

Elephants' habitat under threat

PEKANBARU, Riau: Special attention must be given to saving
some 200 elephants in the forests of Riau which have been ravaged
by fires, said Riau Governor Soeripto.

Soeripto maintained that much of the haze covering the
province came from fires outside the province, but still there
was a need to be aware of the dangers posed to the habitat of
elephants.

The governor was speaking during a ceremony held to mark the
donation of fire extinguishers from the Swedish government.

Antara reported that a four-man team of the Swedish Rescue
Services Agency led by Thord Schyberg visited the governor at his
residence in Pekanbaru Saturday night and handed over the fire-
fighting equipment.

The worth of the equipment was estimated at about Rp 500
million.

According to Soeripto, the flash points in the province are
mainly located in Indragiri Hilir regency. (mds)