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.