Taman Safari breeding program offers hope

By Stevie Emilia

CISARUA, West Java (JP): It is a perilous race against time for many endangered animal species in Indonesia.

As the country's fauna slips into extinction at a faster rate than ever before, the captive breeding program at Taman Safari carries hope that future generations will get to see living examples, instead of illustrations in history books.

Located at the foot of Mount Pangrango, the safari park has bred the Bali starling, Komodo dragon, mountain anoa, lowland anoa, Javan gibbon, Sumatran tiger, Sumatran elephants and Sumatran rhino, all of which are threatened or close to extinction in the wild.

One of the park's directors, Tony Sumampau, said the aim of the breeding program was to eventually return the animals to the wild.

"I'm optimistic we can return the endangered animals to their original habitat in the next 10 years," said Tony.

He said realization of the plan would be far in the future. Reintroducing the animals into the wild today would be futile, as local people would probably capture them to be sold as rarities.

The park once tried -- and failed -- to return Bali starlings to their original habitat in west Bali, to join the tiny wild population of 22 birds.

"Unfortunately, the birds were captured by the local people," he said. "It's difficult to prevent such poaching practices because they are well organized."

In a warped irony, the commercial value of animals jumps as soon as they are declared endangered.

"Some people even regard them as part of a precious collection," Tony said.

Bali starlings sell for Rp 2.5 million (US$961.5) each, he said.

Taman Safari's other conservation breeding efforts include storing sperm of wild Sumatran tigers, now estimated at around 500 animals, for future breeding.

"Tigers can't be captured for the breeding project because they become used to people," Tony said. "With the insemination plan, they will remain wild but manage to reproduce."

The park spends Rp 150,000 monthly to store the sperm.

The Sumatran rhino is one of the park's less successful breeding stories.

"Most of them died because of old age, or digestion problems. It's difficult for them to adapt to the food here," said Tony, who grew up in a circus family and once worked as an animal trainer in Australia.

The park's breeding program is run in conjunction with the Ministry of Forestry's Forest Protection and Nature Conservation, the Indonesia Zoological Association and Conservation Breeding Specialist/The World Conservation Union.

Ethical tussle

The ethical tussle over the often conflicting interests of animals and people promises to continue in the future.

"It's difficult to decide whether to protect the animals or to prioritize people's interest," Tony said.

Animals, particularly large land mammals like tigers and rhinoceri, need space. The dilemma is their natural habitats are often coveted by people for farming and plantations.

"We can't press too hard on animal protection and preservation because we should pay attention to people's interests as well," Tony said.

He emphasized the importance of educating people on conserving animal species.

"Zoos are not only to entertain people, but to stimulate the people's awareness of conservation efforts," Tony said.

Through knowing more about the animals and their habits, people will refrain from killing them or keeping them as pets, he added.

History

Established in 1980 on 136.5 hectares of former tea plantations donated by the local administration, the park opened to the public in 1986.

The idea for the park came after Tony's circus had difficulty obtaining animals.

After examining several areas, the current park land was chosen because of its clean water sources and tranquility. Surrounding trees and hills are natural shelters for the animals from heavy winds and rain, he said.

The government declared the park a national tourism site and the Indonesian Center for Reproduction of Endangered Wildlife and Off-site Conservation in 1990.

"Formerly, the government was against our plan to open the park because they thought we were trying to control the land," Tony said.

The park received support from the West Java provincial administration and the Ministry of Forestry for its development.

"The (government) permits were finally issued in 1990, four years after we applied for them in 1986. They were willing to give us a chance after all...," Tony said.

The Ministry of Forestry also requested the park secure a buffer zone area up to Mount Pangrango.

"Now, most local people, including the government, understand our good intentions," Tony said.

The park's animal menagerie has grown. There were about 250 animals from 100 species in 1985; 10 years later, there were 2,500 animals from 200 species.

About 50 percent were born at the park, while others were donated by the Ministry of Forestry or public, or arrived through exchange programs with foreign zoos.

The park, a two-hour drive from Jakarta, records 10,000 to 15,000 visitors per day on weekends and fewer than 500 on working days.

A survey conducted from December 1996 to February of this year found 42.7 percent of the park's visitors were from Jakarta, 35 percent from West Java, 9.9 percent from Central Java, 6.8 percent from East Java and the remaining 5 percent from outside Java.

A majority 61.6 percent had academic backgrounds or were university degree holders.

Attractions

The daytime safari and Night Safari are two of the park's biggest attractions. The latter opened to the public in February.

The daytime safari is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week, with ticket prices ranging from Rp 8,000 for adults and Rp 6,000 for children.

The Night Safari opens from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Friday and Saturday, costing Rp 15,000 for adults and Rp 12,000 for children aged six years and younger.

Visitors are allowed to drive their own vehicles on the daytime safari, but must take park buses on the night program.

Parking for the night safari costs Rp 2,000. Daytime safari fares are Rp 5,000 for four-wheeled vehicles and Rp 6,000 for vehicles with six or more wheels.

"All the ticket proceeds go to our conservation program," Tony said.

Daily operation costs are Rp 7 million daily, mostly to buy meat and feed. Each tiger needs five kilograms of meat daily, while a lion eats six kilograms.

"The park receives no financial assistance from the government or private institutions," Tony said.

Despite early start-up problems, the park has proven its determination to ensure endangered species survive through captive breeding.