Almost-Extinct Monkey Species Found in Indonesia

Scientists that are researching tropical rain forests in Indonesia reinventing grey big monkey species and thought to have become extinct. They rediscover the langur abu-abu /gray colobinae (Presbytis hosei canicrus) which has a black face with delicate feathers on the neck that are grayed out.

The discovery was unintentional. The team actually being installed a camera traps to capture images of orangutans, leopard, and more on forest Wehea, the eastern part of Borneo, June 2011. The unexpected, a group of monkeys that were never encountered previously appeared.


The discovery that challenge the team of scientists headed by Brent Loken from Simon Fraser University in Canada. They have no gray colobinae photo. The only one who owned is a sketch of the museum. "We're ecstatic to know the fact that it turns out that this species of monkey still exist, as well as they are found in Wehea," said Loken as quoted by AP, Friday (20/1/2012).


Colobine monkeys that have characterized the closed eyes also nose and lips that colored a little pink is believed to have spread in Borneo, Java, Sumatra, and Thailand. However, earlier stated that this type of monkey were extincted.

"Forest burning activity, land conversion, and mining became the factors for this species thought to be more difficult to find. For me, the discovery of the monkey is a representation of how many species exist in Indonesia," said Loken.
"There are many animals that are the hallmark of its spreading very little we know disappeared so quickly. It seems, many types of animals will become extinct very quickly," added Loken.

As a further step of this discovery, scientists will be examining further the number of gray colobinae that is in an area of 38,000 hectares. A number of international scientists from Indonesia and will be involved. "We will try as much as possible. However, it's like a race against time," said Loken.

Primate experts not affiliated in this study, Erick Meijaard, expressed support for the efforts of the scientists. "This is an enigmatic species," he said.

Meijaard reveals, the gray`colobinae is believed to be a subspecies of monyet daun (leaf monkey) Indonesia (Presbytis hosei) which is also in the territory of Malaysia on Borneo. However, there are allegations that the gray colobinae is a distinct species.

"We think that this might be a distinct species. This made the discovery in Borneo is much more important," said Meijaard.


source : http://sains.kompas.com/read/2012/01/20/15423578/

Antiquities Found in Dompu

Dompu, Nusa Tenggara Barat - Antiquities that estimated to be 2500 years b.c. found at Doro Kabotoi, Daha Village, Huu, Dompu Regency, Nusa Tenggara Barat.

The Head Office Dinas Kebudayaan dan Pariwisata/ Budpar (Culture and Tourism Office) of Dompu Regency, Sayuti Melik, MSi that called from Mataram, last Wednesday said the antiquities were discovered accidentally by Sofran, villagers of Daha on December 28, 2011.

Ancient objects which is estimated to be thousands of years old were among others in the form of an ancient cemetery, gravestone carving, spear and rings. In addition there is the bracelet, red gem, ancient coins and rock chairs.

Antiquities was unearthed at a depth of two meters when Sofran doing excavation inadvertently at the location after dreamed it three times. The findings are then reported to the Budpar Office of Dompu.

"I am grateful for the awareness of citizens who reported the discovery of high-valued historic objects," said him accompanied by Publicist staff of Dompu District Government, H.Agus Suryanto.

According to him, the location of the discovery were about two kilometers from the site Nangasia which is not far from the beach Lakey, District Huu.

Sayuti confessed after receiving reports about the discovery of antiquities, his staff directly reviewed the to field to ensure the correctness of such information.

"I along with public relations staff had reviewed the site and we ask to the surrounding community for not doing the excavation around that location," he said.

To secure the location of the antiquities discovery, said Sayuti, his staff asked to the local people to put up a surrounding fence at that site.

He suspected there was a common thread between the discovery of the antiquities with Dorosai site in Doro Nanga, that was an ex-kingdom of Daha in Dompu.

Sayuti claimed, had reported the discovery of the things to the Balai Arkeologi (Archaeological Hall) of Denpasar that covered, Bali, Nusa Tenggara Timur and Nusa Tenggara Barat.
"To ensure how old the antiquities at Doro Kabotoi, we wait for the results of research from Balai Arkeologi Denpasar, Bali," he said.

source : http://oase.kompas.com/read/2012/01/13/01122198/