Indonesia, Aug. 16 -- Tua Tunu Botanical Garden in the city of Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, and Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) are studying an endangered forest rambutan endemic to Bangka Island, an official said.

"We are working with BRIN to research and conserve the forest rambutan, an endemic plant," said Sugiantoro, head of the botanical garden team.

The forest rambutan, Nephelium cuspidatum, is threatened with extinction on Bangka Island as forests are converted for palm oil and rubber plantations, mining and settlements.

"Currently, Tua Tunu Botanical Garden has only three forest rambutan trees. They must be protected and conserved to prevent the endemic species from disappearing," ...