Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (AntaranewsKalsel) - Forest Ecosystem Controlling of South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Heri Sofyan said the presence of proboscis monkeys in the forests increasingly pressured by land conversion, both for plantation and others.
Heri in Banjarmasin on Saturday said that as a result of land conversion proboscis monkeys (bekantan) in some areas should continue to migrate, even some of them have to adapt to the environment of human settlements.
"Lately, we often find bekantan wandering around citizens neighborhoods, whereas the long nose animal is a naturally very shy animal," he said.
Not only adapt to the environment of settlements. Animals that used to be only plant-eaters now beginning to eat fruits like bananas.
The constantly changing environmental conditions, Heri added, causing the Kalimantan typical animals, also continues to adapt.
Previously, said Heri, BKSDA has released a bekantan to wildlife. It was captured by citizens of South Hulu Sungai, when the bekantan ate a banana and mango leaves.
"Once informed, we immediately headed to Baruch Jaya Village, Kandangan, to take the proboscis monkeys. After given treatment, it was immediately released to wildlife," he said.
Allegedly the protected animal was separated from its flock when migrating to other areas, and get lost in the surrounding neighborhoods.
"The incidents have several times happened, and they indicated that the animals were no longer comfortable staying at "home", because the environment is damaged," he said.
Currently, the estimated population of proboscis monkeys in South Kalimantan remaining 500 head or more, so animal care movement is expected to continue to be echoed massively by the whole community and interested parties.
BKSDA, he added, also continue to disseminate to the public for help to monitor and maintain primates that exist in this area.
edited by Mahdani
