New rare orangutan population found in Borneo

[G_j]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7995970.stm


New rare orangutan find in Borneo


The orangutan is one of the most endangered great apes

A hitherto unknown population of orangutans numbering perhaps 1-2,000 has been found on the island of Borneo, conservation researchers say.

Members of the reclusive endangered species were found by scientists acting on tip-offs from local people.
Much of the orangutan's tropical forest habitat in Indonesia and Malaysia has been cut down for timber extraction and to create palm oil plantations.

About 50,000 orangutans are thought to remain in the wild.
"The reclusive red-haired primates were found in a rugged, largely inaccessible mountainous region," Erik Meijaard, of Nature Conservancy Indonesia, said.

The journey to the region took 10 hours by car, another five by boat and then a couple more hours hiking.
..more..

[grasswire]

1. very interesting, thank you

I've always been fascinated by Borneo.

[leftchick]

2. just in time troo

there has been horendous destruction of these great creatures.

[G_j]

3. !

:hi:

[leftchick]

4. hi there

not much is cuter than a baby orangutan.