Samarinda – The orangutans (Pongo pygmaues) in East Kalimantan province are now on the brink of extinction, because rampant and expanding illegal logging in the province.

"The people's efforts in rescuing of orangutans and preserving the forests and their environment are facing many obstacles," coordinator of the East Kalimantan chapter of the Indonesian environmental forum, Syaifuddin said here Wednesday.

According to Syaifuddin, the condition of the forests in the province has been deteriorating, because the barren land caused by illegal logging has increased to 200,000 hectares each year, and the condition has brought the orangutans on the brink of extinction.