Deep in Indonesia’s dense Leuser Rainforest, a gaggle of rangers seek for traps set by poachers that threaten rare wildlife.
Scientists and conservationists consider the Leuser ecosystem, which covers mainly the Aceh province in Sumatra, to be some of the vital forests remaining in Southeast Asia.
The Leuser ecosystem, which covers the northern a part of the island of Sumatra, covers almost 2.6 million hectares (10,038 square miles) in Aceh (a special, semi-autonomous territory) and North Sumatra province. Encompassing two mountain ranges, three lakes, nine river systems and three national parks, its ecological value can’t be overestimated.
About 10,000 species of plants and 200 species of mammals live here – dozens found nowhere else on earth. Of the one 6,000 orangutans left in Sumatra, it’s estimated that 90 percent live within the Leuser Ecosystem.
It is the last place of sufficient size and quality to support viable populations of rare species equivalent to orangutans, Sumatran tigers, rhinos, elephants, clouded leopards and sun bears.
According to local NGO Forum Conservation Leuser, a whole bunch of traps were confiscated every month in Leuser in 2015, but now fewer than 10 traps are found every month.
“Guards are trained to track signs that poachers are in the area, for example by looking for cigarette butts or tracks,” said Rudi Putra, head of the forum.
Some traps are used to catch animals’ paws. Others consist of spears set high in trees that fall when a trap is ready.
Rangers also monitor signs of deforestation, equivalent to illegal logging, and collect data from the forest for further research.
Poachers normally set traps to catch elephants, tigers and bears in order that they can sell them illegally and earn cash.
Source: AFP | Times of the Strait | Mongabay
