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.