guardian.co.uk,
Jonathan Watts, Tuesday 24 January 2012
 |
| Sumatran elephant calf and its mother from Tesso Nilo national park, Riau, Sumatra, Indonesia. Photograph: WWF-Indonesia |
The
Sumatran elephant has been placed on the list of critically endangered species
after losing half of its population in a single generation, prompting calls
from conservation groups for emergency measures to halt the destruction of its
habitat.
Deforestation
is seen as the primary reason for the collapse in numbers in Indonesia, which
until recently was seen alongside India and Sri Lanka as one of the last great
refuges for elephants in Asia. The animal is now at risk of becoming extinct
within decades.
The
International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) upgraded the risk
assessment after tracking the loss of 69% of the animal's habitat over the past
25 years. With their home forests burned, felled or converted to plantations,
the wild population has fallen to no more than 2,800.
In its
latest "red list" of threatened species, the IUCN noted that many of
the remaining elephant communities were likely to disappear because they do not
live in protected areas and there is a high risk of conflicts with humans. It
cited studies showing that at least six herds disappeared between 2007 and 2009
in Riau province - a centre for the paper, pulp and palm oil industries.
"That this pattern will continue seems certain," it warned.
As
plantations have expanded, Sumatra has experienced some of the worst
deforestation rates in the world. Conservation groups said the Indonesian
island has lost more than two-thirds of its natural lowland forest - the most
suitable habitat for elephants - in the past 25 years.
With the
upgrading of the risk assessment, WWF called for an immediate moratorium on
habitat destruction. "The Sumatran elephant joins a growing list of
Indonesian species that are critically endangered, including the Sumatran
orangutan, the Javan and Sumatran rhinos and the Sumatran tiger," said
Carlos Drews, director of WWF's global species programme.
"Unless
urgent and effective conservation action is taken these magnificent animals are
likely to go extinct within our lifetime." The organisation advised the
government to assess large habitat patches that could be designated as
protected areas, and linked with smaller habitat through a network of
conservation corridors. In the longer term, it suggested the authorities
consider habitat expansion and forest restoration.
"It's
very important that the government of Indonesia, conservation organisations and
agro-forestry companies recognise the critical status of elephants and other
wildlife in Sumatra and take effective steps to conserve them," said Asian
elephant expert Ajay Desai. "Indonesia must act now before it's too late
to protect Sumatra's last remaining natural forests, especially elephant
habitats."
However,
without more public pressure or more funds, the Indonesia authorities are
likely to continue to support or turn a blind eye to the loggers and plantation
owners. The threat upgrade follows a flood of grim conservation news due topoaching, habitat loss and a lack of awareness among consumers.
The Javan rhino was declared extinct in Vietnam in October after the last one was found
dead with a bullet in its leg and its horn sawn off. A month later, it was followed by Africa's western black rhinoceros and warnings that the Sumatran rhino is on the brink of extinction in Indonesia.
Related Articles:
 |
Goodbye
little one: An adult elephant tenderly nuzzles the lifeless body
of baby Lola
at Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, Germany. The three-months-old
calf was due for an
operation on her defective heart but sadly died during
a preliminary scan
|
"Do Animals Reincarnate?" - NOV 22, 2010 (Kuthumi channelled by Lynette Leckie-Clark)
"Update on Current Events" – Jul 23, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Subjects: The Humanization of God, Gaia, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Benevolent Design, Financial Institutes (Recession, System to Change ...), Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Nuclear Power Revealed, Geothermal Power, Hydro Power, Drinking Water from Seawater, No need for Oil as Much, Middle East in Peace, Persia/Iran Uprising, Muhammad, Israel, DNA,Two Dictators to fall soon, Africa, China, (Old) Souls, Species to go, Whales to Humans, Global Unity,..... etc.)
No comments:
Post a Comment