goodmorningpapua.com – 76 endemic Papuan animals have been released into the Isyo customary forest, Rhepang Muaif, Jayapura Regency, Papua Province by the Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA), Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK).
A Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (Directorate General of KSDAE) KLHK Wiratno said the animals were the result of translocation from the East Java BBKSDA, Central Java BKSDA, and North Sulawesi BKSDA.
“The release of this animal is a series of activities for the 2021 National Nature Conservation Day (HKAN). I thank Aleks Waisimon as the manager of the Isyo customary forest for his role in maintaining Papua’s biodiversity,” said the Director General of KADAE in an official statement received by goodmorningpapua.com.
Furthermore, the Director General of KSDAE explained that the types of animals released were 46 black-headed Kasturi (Lorius Lory), 15 Koki Cockatoo (Cacatua Galerita), eight Dark Parrots (Pseudeos Fuscata), two Mambruk Victoria (Goura Victoria), three Cassowaries Gelambir Tunggal (Casuarius Unappendiculatus), and two Pelandu Papua (Dorcopsis hageni).
The animals are confirmed to be free of avian influenza based on the results of PCR and serological tests by the Jayapura Class I Quarantine Laboratory and have undergone the habituation process in the Papua BBKSDA Animal Transit Cage, so they are ready to be released back into the wild.
“All of these animals are protected based on the Regulation of the Minister of Environment and Forestry Number: P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 concerning Protected Types of Plants and Animals,” he added.
The Director General of KSDAE added that the reason why the Isyo customary forest was chosen as a location for animal release by the BBKSDA of Papua was to support the development of special interest tourism of birdwatching which had been pioneered by Aleks Waisimon in recent years.
“So we can take two benefits at once, namely preserving the endemic animals of Papua, and supporting local communities to obtain economic benefits from this activity,” he said.