Endangered Kalimantan monkey found in untapped forest

Pelaihari, S Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - Some 60 nasalis larvatus, sp (local monkey) were found living in group in an untapped forest in Asam Asam area in Tanah Laut (Tala) district by researchers of the South Kalimantan-chapter of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), an official has said.

The finding of the endangered nasalis larvatus (locally called bekantan) last August was incredible as the albino mammal has been threatened with extinction, South Kalimantan chapter of BKSDA chairman Siswoyo said here Sunday.

Even, Kaget island which was turned into a nasalis larvatus habitat only has a smaller number of nasalis larvatus, he said.

Nasalis larvatus population in Kaget island has dwindled due to mining activities near the island, he said.

"The finding of around 60 bekantan monkeys which like to live in companionship in a solitary place is very encouraging," he said.

To maintain the population of the endangered animal, the South Kalimantan-chapter of BKSDA has asked Tala district head Adriansyah to ban any group from doing activity in Kaget island.

"The Tala district head has agreed with the idea. BKSDA has also asked South Kalimantan governor Rudy Ariffin to help protect Kaget island from any mining activities which can harm the population of nasalis larvatus," he said.