Indonesian Orangutan habitat wiped out: activists

Almost 600 of the long-haired apes have disappeared from Kutai National Park, East Kalimantan province, over the past seven years of unchecked construction, the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) said in a statement.

"The number of orangutans in the area, which was 600 individuals in 2004, has fallen to only 30 to 60 individuals at present," Hardi Baktiantoro from the Centre for Orangutan Protection (COP) told AFP.

The East Kalimantan administration had permission from the national Forestry Ministry to build a 60-kilometre (37.2-mile) road through the park in 2002, the COP said.

"The root of the problem with the Kutai National Park is a breach of duty committed by officials to get political and financial advantages," Thayrun said.

"They gave away land spaces to people to win their votes in the local administration elections. They also mobilize people to seize the national park area."