Sulawesi species going extinct

Sulawesi species going extinct

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi (JP): Dozens of flora and fauna
species have gone extinct and many more are vanishing in
Sulawesi due to human encroachment, researchers have found.

The researchers, Chris Majors from Australia and Alimaturahim
from the Kendari-based SAMA Foundation, said yesterday that they
have abundant evidence of the remains of the vanishing species.

For example, over the past decade, at least nine species of
fish and three turtle species have disappeared from Sulawesi
waters.

"Many more land and sea species are on the brink of
extinction. More detailed studies are needed," they said in their
report as quoted by Antara.

They pointed out that the extinction of marine flora and fauna
was largely due to the destruction of coral reefs and the use of
chemicals for fishing.

Many species on land are extinct largely because of a damaged
ecosystem resulting from the deforestation for plantations. (pan)