An introductory guide to protected animals

An introductory guide to protected animals

Diah Rahayuningsih and Bayu Kusuma, Contributor, Jakarta

Protected animals in Indonesia are getting some help in their
fight to survive. The degradation of the environment, and the
growth of illegal animal trading has put wildlife in a precarious
state and pushed some species to the brink of extinction.

Law enforcement in this area needs to be given greater
priority and the knowledge of law enforcement officers must be
improved.

In order to address this issue, the directorate of forest
protection and nature conservation of the forestry ministry in
cooperation with WWF Indonesia has launched a book titled
"Panduan Pengenalan Jenis Jenis Satwa Yang Dilindungi di
Indonesia" or an introductory guide to protected species in
The book describes rare animals now on the brink of extinction.

The trading of protected species is a crime. The law states
clearly that it is illegal to keep protected animals, whether
dead or alive. Even the keeping of parts of these animals, such
as their eggs or their nests is forbidden.

Breaking this law carries a maximum five years in jail or a
maximum fine of Rp 1 million (about US$175).

Unfortunately, traders of protected animals simply turn a
blind eye to the law. Protected animals are the third most
lucrative contraband in the world, after the trading of arms and
drugs.

"Recently, the trading (of protected animals) has become more
open. Traders and buyers no longer agree to meet at the bird
market. Advertisements are now seen in the media," said Saleh,
also known as Uyung, of the World Wildlife Fund.

Classified ads in several newspapers carry advertisements
offering parts of protected animals such as elephant tusks,
dugong fangs, and the hide and fangs of Sumatran tigers.
"Usually, these advertisements can be found under antiques and
collections."

"This book has been published to meet needs on the ground,
particularly the need of customs and quarantine officers," Uyung
said.

Adi Susmianto, director of biological diversity conservation
welcomed the publication of the guide book. He said he hoped that
the publication of this book would produce something useful.
"This guide book is not something new. We produced something
similar in 1996."

The 60-page full color book, printed on glossy paper with a
spiral binder, is designed for field use. Uyung and Wanda Kambey
of the WWF Indonesia helped write the book, whose publication is
partly funded by USAID.

Leafing through the book reveals that it still needs
improvement. It contains only 50 species of protected animals,
while in 1999 the Indonesian government identified 294 plant and
animal species that are protected by law. Unfortunately, the
authors fail to produce a full list of the names of other
protected animals, and this is likely to lead to confusion.

Although the pictures of the animal species are a good size,
the chart used is not detailed enough. More explanation could be
given of the main physical characteristics of each animal. There
is some information about the habitat, protected status, their
status in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) and about illegal trading
activities.

Harry Surjadi, a conservation and environmental observer, said
that the publication of this guide book was worth praising
although improvements will be needed for future editions. "Many
points are not clear. We cannot guarantee that pictures will
enable people to easily identify the animals."

Suryadi points out that this will pose challenges. Today,
animal trading not only means the selling and buying of protected
animals but also different parts of their bodies. This guide book
needs more information to go along with the photos because not
all species are shown.

Although this book mentions the parts of protected animals
that are often traded, supporting pictures are needed.

Uyung and Susmianto agreed that this is a shortcoming, and say
that future editions will have better photos, and more detailed
descriptions. For example in future editions it will be noted
that the foot of the Tuntong turtle (Batagur Baska), has four
fingers. "This characteristic fails to be found in the book,"
Susmianto said.

Alain Compost, a well know nature photographer, took most of
the pictures in the book, and although they are well composed and
attractive they do not adequately highlight the characteristics
of a particular animal.

Another point of concern is the targeted audience of the book.
Uyung has many times stressed that it is intended for those
working in the customs and excise offices, KSDA and animal
quarantines, but it needs to be improved if it is to reach this
target.

"Actually, each user will have a special guidebook. So there
will be, for instance, a special edition for the customs and
excise offices, for the public and for the scientific community,"
Suryadi added.

As it is, the book is not adequate for different users. There
needs to be more explanation for journalists and customs and
excise officers. There is not enough description of individual
protected animals, their CITES status and the ministerial decree
on species protection.

Nevertheless, this guidebook deserves some praise. Revised
editions can be improved. Unfortunately, information has been
leaked that funding for the publication of this series will stop
in the next few months, which means the publisher must find other
sources of funding.