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)