Illegal logging wipes out antelope

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