52 new species discovered in Borneo

Scientists have discovered more than 52 new species of plants and animals on the Borneo island since 2005. From MSNBC:

“The more we look the more we find,” said Stuart Chapman, WWF International coordinator for the study of the “Heart of Borneo,” a 85,000-square-mile rain forest in the center of the island where several of the new species were found. “These discoveries reaffirm Borneo’s position as one of the most important centers of biodiversity in the world.”

...The discoveries bring the total number of species newly identified on the island to more than 400 since 1996, according to WWF, known in North America as the World Wildlife Fund.

Other creatures discovered between July 2005 and September 2006 were six Siamese fighting fish, whose unique colors and markings distinguish them from close relatives, and a tree frog with bright green eyes.

Hopefully this will show everyone, especially the governments of the world, how important it is to conserve the habitat and species of Borneo and other rain forests. We must not let our forests and the animals living in them be rooted out for the sake of more wood, palm oil and rubber.