Two changeable hawk-eagles released into Darajat Forest area

Two changeable hawk-eagles (Nisaetus cirrhatus) that had been undergoing rehabilitation at the Cikembulan Wildlife Park conservation institution were finally released into the Darajat Forest area, Garut Regency, West Java, on Saturday, to preserve the ecosystem. Head of the Technical Division of the West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA), Andri Hansen Siregar, said the two eagles, named Sukma and Ajeung, were rescued and subsequently rehabilitated to restore their wild instincts before being released into their habitat in Garut. ‘Rehabilitation for these eagles began in 2023, until we conducted an assessment and observed that their behaviour indicated they had become wild again, and we also tested their health,’ Andri said. He explained that the two eagles were handed over for intensive rehabilitation at the Cikembulan Wildlife Park in Kadungora District, Garut, involving a team of veterinarians. He noted that the two eagles showed development with their wild hunting instincts, so that upon release they would hunt for their own food in the wild. ‘The eagles will also survive once released, and we have been planning this release since last year, only now being able to realise it in 2026,’ he said. He expressed gratitude for the support from Cikembulan Wildlife Park and Star Energy Geothermal Darajat, which supported the wild eagle release programme in Garut. Typically, he said, animals handed over to wildlife parks or zoos are difficult to release back into the wild, as they are often requested to become part of a collection, but Cikembulan Wildlife Park was different, choosing instead to rehabilitate and release them into the wild. ‘We greatly appreciate the extraordinary effort from Cikembulan Wildlife Park, as well as the tremendous support from Star Energy, until the release of these animals back into their habitat could be carried out,’ he said. ‘These animals are rare; if this top predator disappears, an imbalance will occur,’ he stated. Manager of Cikembulan Wildlife Park, Rudi Arifin, said the two female eagles were received in 2021 and are now eight years old, in healthy condition and possessing wild hunting instincts. Cikembulan Wildlife Park, he said, supports the government’s programme to preserve the environment, especially rare wild animals, so they continue to exist in the wild. ‘The Natural Resources Conservation Agency provides guidance to us; we are a conservation institution that is still learning, but when there is a point to be made, we receive direction and guidance, and we release them,’ he said. He mentioned that they have long partnered with Star Energy Geothermal Darajat in preserving the environment, particularly protecting rare animals. ‘Previously we had a leopard, and now eagles; I hope they live independently in the wild, meaning once released, they should not be captured,’ he said. Representative of Star Energy Geothermal Darajat, Muhamad Riyadi, said his company has consistently supported nature conservation programmes with various institutions, including Cikembulan Wildlife Park. He said that because the company operates in forest areas, it is their obligation to continuously carry out conservation efforts to protect nature and its wild animals.