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)