An introductory guide to protected animals<\/p>\n
Diah Rahayuningsih and Bayu Kusuma, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Protected animals in Indonesia are getting some help in their
\nfight to survive. The degradation of the environment, and the
\ngrowth of illegal animal trading has put wildlife in a precarious
\nstate and pushed some species to the brink of extinction.<\/p>\n
Law enforcement in this area needs to be given greater
\npriority and the knowledge of law enforcement officers must be
\nimproved.<\/p>\n
In order to address this issue, the directorate of forest
\nprotection and nature conservation of the forestry ministry in
\ncooperation with WWF Indonesia has launched a book titled
\n\"Panduan Pengenalan Jenis Jenis Satwa Yang Dilindungi di
\nIndonesia\" or an introductory guide to protected species in
\nThe book describes rare animals now on the brink of extinction.<\/p>\n
The trading of protected species is a crime. The law states
\nclearly that it is illegal to keep protected animals, whether
\ndead or alive. Even the keeping of parts of these animals, such
\nas their eggs or their nests is forbidden.<\/p>\n
Breaking this law carries a maximum five years in jail or a
\nmaximum fine of Rp 1 million (about US$175).<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, traders of protected animals simply turn a
\nblind eye to the law. Protected animals are the third most
\nlucrative contraband in the world, after the trading of arms and
\ndrugs.<\/p>\n
\"Recently, the trading (of protected animals) has become more
\nopen. Traders and buyers no longer agree to meet at the bird
\nmarket. Advertisements are now seen in the media,\" said Saleh,
\nalso known as Uyung, of the World Wildlife Fund.<\/p>\n
Classified ads in several newspapers carry advertisements
\noffering parts of protected animals such as elephant tusks,
\ndugong fangs, and the hide and fangs of Sumatran tigers.
\n\"Usually, these advertisements can be found under antiques and
\ncollections.\"<\/p>\n
\"This book has been published to meet needs on the ground,
\nparticularly the need of customs and quarantine officers,\" Uyung
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Adi Susmianto, director of biological diversity conservation
\nwelcomed the publication of the guide book. He said he hoped that
\nthe publication of this book would produce something useful.
\n\"This guide book is not something new. We produced something
\nsimilar in 1996.\"<\/p>\n
The 60-page full color book, printed on glossy paper with a
\nspiral binder, is designed for field use. Uyung and Wanda Kambey
\nof the WWF Indonesia helped write the book, whose publication is
\npartly funded by USAID.<\/p>\n
Leafing through the book reveals that it still needs
\nimprovement. It contains only 50 species of protected animals,
\nwhile in 1999 the Indonesian government identified 294 plant and
\nanimal species that are protected by law. Unfortunately, the
\nauthors fail to produce a full list of the names of other
\nprotected animals, and this is likely to lead to confusion.<\/p>\n
Although the pictures of the animal species are a good size,
\nthe chart used is not detailed enough. More explanation could be
\ngiven of the main physical characteristics of each animal. There
\nis some information about the habitat, protected status, their
\nstatus in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
\nSpecies of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) and about illegal trading
\nactivities.<\/p>\n
Harry Surjadi, a conservation and environmental observer, said
\nthat the publication of this guide book was worth praising
\nalthough improvements will be needed for future editions. \"Many
\npoints are not clear. We cannot guarantee that pictures will
\nenable people to easily identify the animals.\"<\/p>\n
Suryadi points out that this will pose challenges. Today,
\nanimal trading not only means the selling and buying of protected
\nanimals but also different parts of their bodies. This guide book
\nneeds more information to go along with the photos because not
\nall species are shown.<\/p>\n
Although this book mentions the parts of protected animals
\nthat are often traded, supporting pictures are needed.<\/p>\n
Uyung and Susmianto agreed that this is a shortcoming, and say
\nthat future editions will have better photos, and more detailed
\ndescriptions. For example in future editions it will be noted
\nthat the foot of the Tuntong turtle (Batagur Baska), has four
\nfingers. \"This characteristic fails to be found in the book,\"
\nSusmianto said.<\/p>\n
Alain Compost, a well know nature photographer, took most of
\nthe pictures in the book, and although they are well composed and
\nattractive they do not adequately highlight the characteristics
\nof a particular animal.<\/p>\n
Another point of concern is the targeted audience of the book.
\nUyung has many times stressed that it is intended for those
\nworking in the customs and excise offices, KSDA and animal
\nquarantines, but it needs to be improved if it is to reach this
\ntarget.<\/p>\n
\"Actually, each user will have a special guidebook. So there
\nwill be, for instance, a special edition for the customs and
\nexcise offices, for the public and for the scientific community,\"
\nSuryadi added.<\/p>\n
As it is, the book is not adequate for different users. There
\nneeds to be more explanation for journalists and customs and
\nexcise officers. There is not enough description of individual
\nprotected animals, their CITES status and the ministerial decree
\non species protection.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, this guidebook deserves some praise. Revised
\neditions can be improved. Unfortunately, information has been
\nleaked that funding for the publication of this series will stop
\nin the next few months, which means the publisher must find other
\nsources of funding.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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