Saving endangered fauna in Indonesia<\/p>\n
Femke den Haas, Contributor, Jakarta<\/p>\n
Indonesia is very high up on the world list of nations with
\nanimal species under threat of extinction.<\/p>\n
The illegal pet trade is a big threat to the survival of many
\nanimal species: The rich biodiversity of Indonesia is vanishing
\nright before our eyes.<\/p>\n
Rainforests are logged and animals caught from the wild to be
\ntraded as pets or for other purposes. Who hasn't heard of the
\norangutan, which literally means "man of the forest", now
\nthreatened with extinction?<\/p>\n
This highly intelligent, unique great ape is losing its
\nhabitat, and illegal trade in it is one of the main threats to
\nits survival. Orangutans are mostly being abused for
\nentertainment purposes: In Thailand over 140 illegally smuggled
\norangutans are being used in boxing shows to entertain the public
\nin zoos. Although these orangutans were confiscated over one year
\nago, the government of Thailand has still refused to send them
\nback to Indonesia.<\/p>\n
The population of wild orangutans has decreased by 50 percent
\nover the last 20 years. For every baby who ends up in the illegal
\ntrade circuit, at least three others die. Female orangutans bare
\nno more than three babies during their entire lifetime and they
\ncan reach the age of 50.<\/p>\n
This because the mother takes years of protective care for her
\nprecious baby whom she teaches, step by step, to survive on his
\nown, just like humans.<\/p>\n
The impact of the illegal trade on the wild population is
\nenormous. And what about the hundreds of thousands of other
\nprimates, reptiles, birds and other animals traded?<\/p>\n
Traders must be targeted<\/p>\n
As long as there is a demand, ending this illegal trade will
\nbe a doomed cause, unless law enforcement programs take action
\nand illegally traded animals are confiscated and traders
\npersecuted.<\/p>\n
Western countries also need to control strictly the income of
\nexotic animals. Private breeders, zoos and other interested
\nparties are still responsible for the illegal trade that occurs
\ntoday.<\/p>\n
To serve as backup for much-needed law enforcement programs,
\nan Indonesian Rescue Centre Network has been built by the Gibbon
\nFoundation. Nine rescue centers throughout Indonesia work from
\nrescue to release: taking care of confiscated animals and
\nreturning them to their original habitat when ever possible.<\/p>\n
Trade monitoring programs, confiscations, education and taking
\ncare of animals are the main activities of the network. The
\nanimals will be forwarded to specialized rehabilitation programs,
\ndepending on the species.<\/p>\n
Rehabilitation is a long, expensive and very intensive
\nprocess. Therefore, most rehabilitation centers focus on a
\ncertain species of animal. Gibbons are send to the Kalaweit
\nprogram, for example. This program runs two centers for the
\nSumatran and Borneo gibbon species.<\/p>\n
The Nyaru Menteng program in Central Kalimantan is currently
\ntaking care of over 300 orangutans. All of these primates are
\norphans, needing to learn the survival techniques that free them
\nfrom their surrogate mothers in the rehabilitation programs.<\/p>\n
The re-introduction program for the Brahminy Kite on the
\nThousands Islands deals with dozens of confiscated birds and
\nreleases them after a long process.<\/p>\n
The Brahminy Kite, the mascot of DKI Jakarta, vanished from
\nthe area in the late nineties. Slow lorises (Nycticebus coucang),
\nknown locally as malu malu, are being sold as toys near traffic
\nintersections on busy streets in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Malu-malu, (literally meaning "shy") often have their teeth
\ncut by traders, leaving them with horrific infections. These
\noldest primates of the world are nocturnal; they are sold in
\nbright daylight, the sun damaging their eyes.<\/p>\n
Although all these animals are protected and therefore illegal
\nto keep, sell, buy or trade, they are still being traded.
\nThe Indonesian Animal Rescue Network advises people never to buy
\nwildlife, even when you feel sorry and just want to help.<\/p>\n
Instead, report to us and we will do what we can.
\nStrong law enforcement programs on central trading points like
\nthe Pramuka Bird Market are extremely necessary to save protected
\nIndonesian species from extinction.<\/p>\n
Remember, extinction is forever!<\/p>\n
Femke den Haas is the manager of<\/p>\n
Rescue Centre "Tegal Alur" Jakarta Barat<\/p>\n
tel. 0813 14962608<\/p>\n
Jaringan Pusat Penyelamatan Satwa<\/p>\n
website: www.jaringanpps.org<\/p>\n
e-mail: ptsta@telkom.net<\/p>\n
Yayasan Tegal Alur\/Tegal Alur rescue centre<\/p>\n
Jalan Benda Raya 1<\/p>\n
Tegal Alur 11820 Kalideres<\/p>\n
Jakarta Barat<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/saving-endangered-fauna-in-indonesia-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }