Thousands of animals move from Mt Merapi hills

Antara 14 Nov 10;

Yogyakarta (ANTARA News) - Thousands of animals have moved from the mountain`s lava and hot ash ridden slopes, a conservationist said.

"The Merapi eruptions have destroyed over 6,000 hectares of forested land on the slopes and hills of the volcano due to the hot clouds and ashes, forcing animals living there to move to safer areas including villages," I. Sartono, head of a local Nature Resources Conservation Agency said here on Sunday.

Sartono added that long-tailed primates that had been living on the hills of Plawangan, Kaliurang, have entered villages 15 kilometers, or 3,000 meters away from the mountain`s peak.

"Apart from entering villages, some animals may even cross the forests," Sartono said, adding that the phenomenon has been a natural phenomenon.

By instinct those animals including the primates, he said, had fled to safety because their habitat was destroyed by hot clouds. They left from their habitat also in search for food which is easier to be found.

Despite the unbearable conditions after the incessant eruptions since October 26, many animals stayed close to Merapi, Sartono said. These animals are mostly those in Tlogoputri areas in the vicinity of Kaliurang.

Hot clouds and lava have also devastated the nests of Java eagles in Kinahrejo forests and villages and claimed so many human lives. The eagles are said to have fled their habitat to unknown places.

Mt Merapi has been erupting intensively ever since the first eruption followed by a series of eruptions that have claimed over 200 lives and displaced over 350,000 people in three regencies of Central Java and Yogyakarta.(*)