Bird poaching declines in Irian

Bird poaching declines in Irian

SORONG, Irian Jaya: Researchers from the World Wide Fund for
Nature (WWF) divide the famed bird of paradise, which is
protected by law, into 11 species.

Manokwari-based WWF researcher Duncan Nafile said four of the
species have "antennae" and are categorized into the king bird of
paradise, which are highly popular among Javanese bird lovers.

Nafile identified the 11 species, by their Latin names, as
being ptilorii magnificus, cicinnurus regius, cicinius
magnificus, paradiseae rubra, paradiseae minor, ptepidophora
alberti, paradiseae apoda, paradisae ragiana, lophorina superba,
seleusidis melano and cicinnurus resplubika.

He said many of the species can also be found in the jungles
of the nearby Maluku province, Antara reported.

Poaching king birds of paradise has declined in Irian Jaya
since Indonesia passed a law on conservation in 1990, which
threatens poachers with hefty fines and jail terms, he said.
(pan)