Maleo eggs stolen in SE Sulawesi

Maleo eggs stolen in SE Sulawesi

JAKARTA (JP): Maleo eggs in Tanjung Taipa conservation park in
Southeast Sulawesi are often stolen, governor La Ode Kaimoeddin
said yesterday.

Kaimoeddin said that since last week the authorities have
tightened security in the area, one of the province's popular
tourist destinations.

The Maleo is a bird endemic to Sulawesi. It is seriously
endangered and protected by law.

The governor said unless security was tightened, the Maleo
would eventually become extinct. The bird is no longer found
around Tore village, 10 kilometers north of the conservation
park, due to egg theft.

There are no official figures on the Maleo population. An
activist from the Jakarta World Wide Fund office said in 1978,
there were between 5,000 and 10,000 birds.

"The problem has to be dealt with and whoever is responsible
for stealing the eggs should be brought to court," he said as
quoted by Antara.

Kaimoeddin proposed fences be built around the Maleo habitat
in Tanjung Taipa and at least one security guard be placed there.

The Maleo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in
the park. The area is famous for its beaches and fishing grounds.

The local government plans to further develop tourism
potential by building more facilities, such as roads, playgrounds
and clean water installations. (12)