Monas Park welcomes more deer<\/p>\n
Arya Abhiseka, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The city administration insisted on Monday on putting seven more
\ndeer in the National Monument (Monas) park, even though one of
\nthe deer from the previous batch has apparently been under heavy
\nstress and is being treated at an animal hospital.<\/p>\n
The city administration released on Sunday five deer in Monas
\nfrom their previous location at the National Intelligence Agency
\n(BIN) park in Kalibata, South Jakarta, despite criticism that the
\nanimals would be unsuited to the park in Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
One of the five deer suffered from stress on Sunday after it
\nwas brought to its new habitat and is currently undergoing
\ntreatment at Ragunan Zoo, South Jakarta.<\/p>\n
\"We have fulfilled all the requirements needed to ensure the
\nhealth of the deer, and therefore we will send seven more deer
\nthat are donated by the BIN and the marines to Monas,\" said Hadi
\nS. Alikodra, a consultant to the city administration on the deer
\nproject.<\/p>\n
He said that a total of 20 deer were projected to live within
\nthe 5.2-square hectare area, which is located at the south part
\nof Monas, by the end of this year.<\/p>\n
He told The Jakarta Post there would be 11 deer, all female,
\nroaming Monas when their release at the park would be officiated
\non June 5, coinciding with World Environment Day.<\/p>\n
Alikodra admitted that President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who
\nis scheduled to open the deer zone, was unsure about the
\ncontroversial project after learning that not all the deer were
\nin good health.<\/p>\n
The deer project has been criticized by many who have said
\nthat Monas is not a suitable habitat for the deer.<\/p>\n
However, the governor dismissed the criticism and defended his
\nambitious plan to see deer live in Monas, claiming that he had
\nthe support of officials at the Bogor Palace, where the deer
\npopulation surpassed the capacity of the park to sustain them.<\/p>\n
\"The Bogor Palace grounds are suitable for only 200 deer,
\nwhile there are currently about 600 living there,\" Sutiyoso said,
\nquoting the officials.<\/p>\n
After the state secretary rejected the relocation of deer from
\nthe Bogor Palace, the governor went ahead with the project in
\nMonas by seeking donation of deer from the BIN and the marines.<\/p>\n
The deer project follows another controversial project of the
\ncity administration, the fencing of Monas park, at a cost of Rp 9
\nbillion (more than US$1 million).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/monas-park-welcomes-more-deer-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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