The Federal Government will spend $10 million over the next three years helping to protect threatened biological hotspots in the Pacific region.

Prime Minister John Howard says a task force of Australian and international experts will be set up to work out how best to spend the money.

He says they will focus on areas which support threatened plant and animal species.

"Some of the world's most critically endangered species, including creatures such as orang-outangs, the Asian elephant, the Asian tiger and birds of paradise are entirely dependent on hotspots for their habitat," Mr Howard said.

"These hotspots are areas that are very rich in the number of plant and animal species and are under immediate threat and that's why this program will be very welcome."

Last Update: Tuesday, February 17, 2004. 11:44am (AEDT)