WWF discovers new bird species in Papua

WWF discovers new bird species in Papua

Antara News Agency, Manokwari

World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) researchers working in Papua for
a few months recently discovered 294 species of birds in the
Weyland nature preserve, Paniai regency, Papua province.

Of the 294 species, 48 species can only live in areas 1,000
meters above sea level. Among bird species spotted in the area
were the long tail paradigalla or Paradigalla carunculata
intermedia, Epimachus mayeri megarhychus and Astrapia
spelandissima, which are trademarks of Weyland mountainous and
water catchment areas.

In the research expedition, they also discovered 90 mammalia,
a mammal subclass, including four possums, one tree kangaroo and
five cuscus (phalanger).

According to the WWF representative office in Manokwari, West
Irian Jaya province, the Weyland nature preserve consists of
various types of forests, including low dry forest, heterogeneous
forest, forest blanketed by cloud and vast steppe.

As the area has been established as a nature preserve and any
activities that could harm the environment are strictly
prohibited.

Besides the birds and mammals, the researchers also found a
fresh water swamp near Roufer River, which is a habitat for the
Crocodylus Novaeguineae crocodile species. The species is listed
as very rare by the International Union for the Conservation for
Nature and Natural Resources.

As the crocodile species is rare, the WWF called on the
government to protect the species from rampant poaching in its
habitat.

Besides the crocodiles, the area is also home to some 150 bird
species, including Philimon Brassu, Seleucides Melanoleuca and
Paradiseae Minor-Monor.

Some mammals can also be found in the area, namely cuscus,
possums, wallabies and some rodent species.