Insect index drops to five

SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Fires that have been ravaging parts of East Kalimantan forests since January this year have destroyed many species of insects, according to an expert.

Antara reported that a study in the area had found that the fires caused "the insect index" to decline from 30 to five, signifying a great loss of insects, thus adversely affecting the ecosystem.

The study took place at a research forest managed by Mulawarman University in Bukit Soeharto National Park.

"The disappearance of insects poses a problem in efforts to rehabilitate the burned forests," said researcher Abubakar Lahji on Saturday.

The study also noted that some animals had fled the conservation area due to the damaged habitat and food shortages.

"It is difficult to spot wild boars now because tubers, which are their main food, have been destroyed by the fires," he said.

The conservation area is home to a variety of endangered animals including the orangutan, sun bear, proboscis monkey, porcupine and a rare deer species.

The office of the Environmental Impact Management Agency in East Kalimantan said dozens of rare animals had died because of the forest fires.

The Semboja forest research center is looking after some 30 orangutans which fled from Kutai national park. (swe)