Illegal logging wipes out antelope

BANJARMASIN, South Kalimantan: Rampant forest plundering and illegal logging in recent years have been blamed for the extinction of Kalimantan's golden antelope (Muntiacus Anthredos).

Ambar Dwiyono, head of the province's conservation agency, said on Friday that the golden antelope -- a protected animal -- was last seen in 1998 at the Pelaihari forest park in the regency of Tanah Laut.

Different from other species of antelopes, which usually flock together, the golden antelope lives a solitary life.

Ambar said illegal logging had increased dramatically in Pelaihari forest park since the implementation of regional autonomy three years ago.

Nearly 40 percent of the 112,000 hectare forest had been denuded, he said, affecting the habitat of endangered animals. -- Antara