By: Choirul Fuadi)*
CIDISS – Population of endemic animal in Kalimantan, Bekantan (nasalis larvatus) in Kotawaringin Timur, Central Kalimantan province is decreasing rapidly. It is because of illegal hunting and illegal logging. Bekantan is an animal of apes’ kingdom, bigger than monkey, has long and full-fledged, red brown color on hair, life in wet tropic forest.
Commandant of Security Post Nature Conservation Agency in Sampit Muriansyah said that the hunt of Bekantan still find on the case. “We had information, Bekantan is hunt not for trading, but aim for pet and consume,” said him such in Antara.
On Tuesday afternoon, Nature Conservation Agency evacuated and released a Bekantan to Mentaya village. The Bekantan is 10 years, adrift in the river near Sampit harbor and then saved by people. The Bekantan’s condition seems limp and tired when cross the Mentaya River.
In the middle of November 2016 ago, people also saved bekantan whom adrift in Mentaya River. The Bekantan is adrift when will cross the river for looking for new habitat. It’s because Bekantan was difficult to had food in previous habitat, and then looking for new habitat. It’s worse by decrease the large of forest by converting the forest, illegal logging, and fire.
It is caused the animal such Bekantan, Orang Utan, Bear and another animal whom life in there is often appear in people house. They are hungry and look for food. Bekantan is kind of animal that life in forest near of the river. Bekantan has special appearance that has long and big nose is quite shy, but it will become angry when Bekantan feel not safe.
“Bekantan Population in Kotawaringin Timur is on Pulau Hanaut district, Seranau, Telawang and Mentaya Hulu. We couldn’t to predict about the number of population, but it’s clearly to be extinct,” said Muriansyah.
People requested to protect the Bekantan. Muriansyah appreciate the people caring to save and release the Bekantan to forest.
