Banjarmasin, S Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) totally supports the efforts to preserve bekantan (proboscis monkey) as Kalimantan's endemic which is become a fauna mascot of South Kalimantan.
"I encourage more reasearch on bekantan and their ecosystem. We fully support it through a prepared lecturer research budget," said ULM Rector Prof. Sutarto Hadi here on Thursday.
Research on bekantan, he said, is in line with ULM vision to become the leading and competitive university in the field of wetland environment.
Proboscis monkeys that spread in the forest of mongroves, swamps, and coastal forest have become object of wetland.
For this reason, ULM academics focus on researching restoration efforts of rambai mangrove for the preservation of bekantan so they are more sustainable.
ULM's full support for the conservation of the long-none monkey is also manifested in a joint research with Bekantan Research Station, Curiak Island, Barito Kuala District, which is managed by Sahabat Bekantan Indonesia (SBI) foundation.
Sutarto as SBI's advisor appreciated the hard work of SBI Chairwoman Amalia Rezeki and her team to preserve bekantan, wetland environment, and maintaining the availability of bekantan feed.
"I will keep providing moral and material supporting for the continuation of this very noble program led by Amalia Rezeki as a candidate of proboscis monkey doctor from ULM," he said.
Sutarto also happilly welcome the recent birth of proboscis monkey's baby at the Bekantan Rescue Center Banjarmasin, as a temporary shelter for animals that were evacuated and handed over by residents, managed by SBI.
"This is a proof of what SBI has done in maintaining the preservation of bekantan has yielded positive results as well as a sweet gift ahead of Proboscis Monkey Day, March 28," said the Chancellor.
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