Merapi eruptions kills fauna

Merapi eruptions kills fauna

YOGYAKARTA: Dozens of wild animals were killed and tens of
hectares of pine trees were damaged in the two eruptions of Mount
Merapi in Yogyakarta last month.

Ratdonopurbo, chief of the Volcanological Directorate, said a
team which recently visited Merapi's slopes found dead wild
animals, such as deer and wild boars, and hectares of badly
damaged pine trees.

"The wilds animals' death and pine forest damage may be caused
by hot lava spewed down during the two eruptions," he said.

The active volcano, some 30 kilometers north of here, spewed
hot lava, ashes and steam on July 11 and July 19, but no human
casualties were reported in the eruptions.

Ratdonopurbo urged people residents of the mountain's slope to
remain alert to possible new eruptions because Merapi remained
active. (44)