Officials trace tailed tribe

SERUI, Irian Jaya: Officials at the Yapen Waropen regency office of the Ministry of Social Services are investigating reports that an isolated tribe of people with tails live in the regency's hinterland, Antara reported yesterday.

Reports claim that the tribe roams the Waropen Bawah district between the Tonater and Botawa mountains, said spokesman Rangga Wuwung.

"We received information about them from people living near the tribe," Wuwung said.

To reach the tribe people have to take a seven-hour boat ride, walk beside rivers and climb hills for several days, he said.

"We're still trying. We haven't succeeded because it's really hard to find them," said Wuwung in the Antara report. (swe)