Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation (BKSDA) developed the discovery of 22 endemic animal of white headed lungurs or in the local language called cukakah which categorized vulnerable to extnction.
BKSDA took the first step by organizing a National Seminar on Borneo Endemic Primates Conservation and invited speakers from Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK), Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB), and the University of Lambung Mangkurat's (ULM's) Faculty of Forestry.
“We are taking the first step to collect the result of research data to determine further conservation efforts,” said Head of South Kalimantan BKSDA Mahrus Aryadi here, Wednesday.
Mahrus said the 22 white headed lungurs were identified through surveillance camera installed to monitor the behavior and habitat location of the endemic animals.
“The World Conservation Agency classified white headed lungur as an endangered animal,” he said.
Based on temporary observation from the BKSDA, the distribution of white headed lungurs was found in Kotabaru, Tanah Bumbu, Tapin and Balangan districts.
Mahrus believes there is still a population of these animals scattered in South Kalimantan, but hard to find due to their habitat is difficult to determine with certainty.
The national seminar invited 124 participants, of which 18 speakers from academia and the rest are general participants.
BKSDA collaborated with ULM and Arutmin Indonesia to hold the national seminar and to commemorate Natioal Nature Conservation Day (HKAN) as well.
Mahrus hopes that after the national seminar, experts, academics, privatye sector and the wider comunity can actively contribute to spreading knowledge and conservation message, especially related to white headed lungurs.
The speakers included Director General of Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystem of the KLHK Ministry Prof. Dr. Satyawan Pudyatmoko, S.Hut, M.Agr.Sc., Prof.Dr.Ir. Hadi Alikodra, MS. from IPB, and Dean of Forestry Faculty of ULM Dr. Kissinger, S.Hut, M.Si.
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