Haze distresses orangutans in Indonesian reserve

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Haze distresses orangutans in Indonesian reserve

ZeeNews

 

Jakarta, Oct 17: Haze from Indonesian forest fires has

disturbed orangutans living in a natural reserve on

Borneo island, a park official said on Monday, blaming

deer hunters for intentionally torching protected

areas.

 

The fires have been burning for weeks, creating the

smoke that has spread over much of Southeast Asia,

triggering fears of a repeat of the months of choking

haze in 1997-98 that cost the region billions in

economic losses.

 

Saut Manalu, a senior official at the Tanjung Puting

national park where 6,000 orangutans live, said by

telephone that animals are even more affected by the

smoke than humans.

 

" We can hear them scream late at night, " he said,

adding fires had been found inside the reserve that

occupies a large swathe of land in Central Kalimantan

province on Indonesia`s side of Borneo island.

 

" The fires are at the rim while the orangutans live

deeper inside. We are focusing on how to put out the

fires. If they go out of control, we will take care of

the animals. We may need to evacuate them, " said the

park official.

 

Some of those fires were lit by hunters, Manalu said.

 

" In order to lure deer, hunters often set ablaze

certain areas so that fresh grass could grow on the

burned land. Deer would graze there because they like

young leaves, " he said.

 

Environment and other ministers from Indonesia,

Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Brunei failed to

reach a detailed attack plan when they gathered on

Friday in Indonesia`s haze-affected Riau province on

Sumatra Island to discuss the crisis.

 

Bureau Report

 

http://www.zeenews.com/znnew/articles.asp?aid=329938 & ssid=26 & sid=ENV

 

 

 

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