BKSDA searches for four orangutans spotted in Tabalong

Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has deployed a special team to search for four orangutans have been identified to be at three points in Tabalong District and its surroundings.

Acting Head of BKSDA Suwandi when confirmed here on Tuesday said at first a pair of orangutan were spotted in the residential area of Habau village, Tabalong, a few days ago. Then three habitat points were identified in Tabalong, North Hulu Sungai, and Central Hulu Sungai.

“The results of identification in the field and coordination with villagers, we suspect this pair of big apes has two cubs. Until now, the two cubs have never appeared, but there are signs of their presence,” he said.

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He said the orangutan had appeared three times. Previously, orangutans had never appeared in South Kalimantan area.

“We assign a team to monitor intensely and stand guard. If the big apes reappear in residential or surrounding areas, we can immediately take action,” he said.

Suwandi expounded that his office deployed the team as the main step to monitor the activities of orangutan at three locations identified. Then, he coordinate with the South Kalimantan Forestry Office, the  Tabalong Forest Management Unit (KPH), district government, and village officers.

Regarding the genetic of the orangutan, he said he could not conclude whether it had similarities with orangutan in Central Kalimantan and East Kalimantan. However, he thought it is likely that the big apes are of native South Kalimantan.

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