Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Decline of Orangutan populations linked to human activity
New genetic evidence indicates that the collapse of Orangutan populations is linked to human activity. The crash during the past 200 years, coincides with deforestation in the area. The study was conducted in the forests of Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary in Malaysia. By collecting the Orangutans' hair and faeces, the researchers were able to extract DNA to create genetic profiles.Professor Bruford a conservation biologist at Cardiff University says it may even be necessary to move Orangutans around to prevent inbreeding.
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3 comments:
It's hard to see so many species going in this direction.
You might like the article "Language Garden" from Orion Magazine by Suzanne Antonetta:
http://www.oriononline.org/pages/om/05-2om/Antonetta.html
It shares her experiences and thoughts from communications with a captive orangutan.
Yes Jib, the article "Language Garden" from Orion Magazine by Suzanne Antonetta was a good one. I enjoyed it.
Here are some good books on the amazing Orangutans
Reflections of Eden : My Years With the Orangutans of Borneo
by Birute M. F. Galdikas
An author who lived among the primates of Borneo for more than two decades takes readers to her base camp and the surrounding rain forest where she introduces them not only to her orangutan friends, but to her own struggles as a scientist and conservationist.
Orangutan
by J. Bonrett
Describes the physical characteristics, habitat, life cycle, and daily activities of this human-like animal.
The Orangutan (Remarkable Animals)
by Ruth Ashby
A full-color exploration of the orangutan, one of humankind's closest animal relatives, describes how this intelligent ape lives on two islands in the Indonesian rain forest, examining all aspects of its life and showing how its very existence is threatened.
How to Babysit an Orangutan
by Tara Darling, Kathy Darling
Describes how baby orangutans whose mothers have died are nurtured by human babysitters at Camp Leakey in the rain forests of Borneo, until they are ready to live in the wild.
Thank you for those Tahrman!
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