Encroachment damaging fossils, rare species in Batu Caves, researchers warn

Dr Ros Fatihah showing the photos of the orang utan fossils published few years ago. — IZZRAFIQ ALIAS/The Star

OVER a decade ago, Dr Ros Fatihah Muhammad and her research team were exploring a limestone cave within Batu Caves in Gombak, Selangor, when they made a groundbreaking discovery: fossils of orang utans dated to between 33,000 and 60,000 years ago.

These findings emerged from three distinct caves, including the Swamp cave, now known as Gua Lepak.