We live in a challenging, frightening time in Earth’s history. An estimated 60% of all wildlife has already been lost because of human activity. Earlier this month, a devastating UN report was released revealing that an unprecedented 1 million plant and animal species are under threat of imminent extinction within the next few decades, constituting a serious threat to our own species’ survival. Given the interconnectedness and interdependence of different species on each other within ecosystems, it is likely that the actual number that are threatened is even higher than that. Given such dire statistics, it can be difficult, sometimes all but impossible, to remain optimistic.
But somehow, in spite of the difficulties, we must do just that if we are to keep our heads above water and power on in our fight to protect nature. One of the ways to do this is to remember that there are people and organisations out there who have been working and will continue to work tirelessly for the conservation and restoration of wildlife and their habitats. One of these of course is the Masarang Foundation. Working in Indonesia, a country that is a world leader both in its biodiversity and in threats to that biodiversity, Masarang not only rescues and rehabilitates victims of the wildlife and bushmeat trades through the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue and Education Centre and Sintang Orangutan Centre, but is also growing back rainforest in North Sulawesi through its agroforestry schemes. The latter has proven to be a particular success, with thriving rainforest ecosystems being almost fully restored within as little as five years.
So to mark International Day of Biological Diversity, here is a list of some of the species housed at Tasikoki, the threats they face and the efforts being put in place to help them.
- Victoria Crowned Pigeon (Goura victoria): Anyone who thinks of pigeons merely as drab birds scrounging around on the streets has clearly never heard of the Victoria crowned pigeon.
Found in Papua New Guinea, this is not only the largest species of pigeon (reaching weights of up to 3.5 kg), but also one of the most beautiful with its greyish blue body and a fan-like crest of filamentous feathers like miniature peacock tail feathers. Being so large, it lives mainly on the ground in pairs or small groups, although it can fly and will roost in trees at night. It lives almost exclusively in lowland rainforest, which unfortunately is also the preferred type of land for palm oil plantations. Furthermore, the bird is also threatened by hunting for its meat, extravagant plumage and for captive collections. As it only lays a single egg at a time, its populations cannot keep up with the current levels of exploitation. However, the same beauty that is driving its decline could also help to save it, as it could make it a draw for ecotourism. It is listed as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List.
- Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis): Also known as the salmon crested cockatoo, the Moluccan cockatoo is found on the islands of Seram and Ambon in Eastern Indonesia. Like many large Australasian parrots, it requires large bodied trees for nesting and feeds on fruits, seeds and nuts (including coconuts).
One of the Moluccan Cockatoos at the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Centre that was rescued from the illegal wildlife trade
Although it occurs in primary, secondary and logged forests, studies have found its population densities to be highest in primary lowland rainforest, highlighting both the importance of this type of rainforest for its long term survival and the threat posed to it by habitat destruction. Indeed, habitat loss due to commercial logging has shrunk their range to a single locality on Ambon and the eastern reaches of Seram. Protected areas on the latter island could support just under 10,000 birds but worryingly, a third of this land is earmarked for logging concessions. The pet trade and persecution by coconut farmers are also big threats. However, education programmes have been put in place for this species and it could also be used as an ecotourism draw to the areas where it lives, incentivising their protection. It is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.
Orangutan Help Luxembourg Committee Members at Tasikoki making enrichment for the cockatoos and a volunteer giving enrichment and being watched/supervised (!) by a Moluccan cockatoo.
- Javan Deer (Rusa timorensis): Native to Bali, Timor and of course, Java, the Javan deer has also been introduced to other islands in the Indonesian archipelago such as Sulawesi, as well as Australia, New Zealand and other islands in the South Pacific. It lives in dry, open forests and savannahs, but is adaptable enough to live in mountainous and marshy areas as well, which helps explain why it has adapted well to its reintroduced range.
Like many of the animals housed at Tasikoki, it is heavily threatened by hunting. However, it also faces a much more unexpected threat for a large mammal: invasive plants. In the 1980s and 90s, acacia trees were introduced to several of the Javan national parks where the deer lived in order to create a fire break around their habitat. However, the ecological implications of this were not properly assessed and the trees have since spread into thick thickets that restrict grass growth and are hard for the deer to penetrate, leading to significant losses in grazing area for them. The invasive weed, Lantana camara, poses a similar threat by crowding out native plants. It is listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List.
A big thank you to Hye-Jin and Jonathan who celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary by sponsoring the current enclosure to make it more secure for the 32 Javan deer at Tasikoki. The photo below shows that the deer are very much at home at Tasikoki, but perhaps a much more secure enclosure would also protect Olof’s wonderful permaculture garden as well as Evergreen’s sponsored food forest trees!
Javan Deer going ‘walkabout’ at Tasikoki
Willie and another ‘free’ spirited Javan Deer at Tasikoki
- Siamang Gibbon (Symphalangus syndactylus): The largest species of gibbon, the siamang is also notable for its large throat pouch which, when fully inflated, can be as large as its head. This pouch helps to amplify its loud, hooting calls, which it makes as a territorial display as well as in response to disturbances. Although it is found across much of Sumatra, its population is heavily fragmented due to the loss of its habitat to palm oil, illegal logging and fire. It is also a popular species for the pet trade and is thought to be one of the most heavily traded of all gibbon species. Fortunately, a considerable portion of its populations lives in protected areas and it is hoped that efforts to better train and equip law enforcement agencies in these areas will lead to a higher prosecution rate of poachers. It is listed as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
Our ‘Betty’ at Tasikoki was confiscated from a boat that was intending to take her to the Philippines. She is now a candidate to go to a sanctuary island. We are keeping our fingers crossed and sincerely hope we get support to find her a mate from another rescue centre in the meantime.
- Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata): Distinguishable from the similar looking green turtle by the jagged edge of its shell and its sharp, narrow beak, the hawksbill turtle is one of five species that nest at Tulap beach near Tasikoki. Also unlike the green turtle, it feeds not on sea grass on algae, but on sea sponges and anemones and by removing these from reefs, it improves the access of small reef fish to larger feeding areas. But in a more unfortunate dissimilarity to the green turtle, whose numbers have been slowly increasing thanks to improved conservation measures, the hawksbill turtle still remains one of the most threatened of all sea turtle species, mostly because of the wildlife trade. Ever since the mid-1800s, the ornate shell of this turtle has widely prized for making tortoiseshell jewellery and ornaments, with much of the demand today coming from Eastern Asia. Its carnivorous diet also makes it vulnerable to long line fishing, as it can be caught on fishing hooks when it tries to feed from the bait, leading to severe, often fatal internal injuries. Fortunately, Masarang is on hand to protect the hawksbill turtle through intercepting and rehabilitating animals captured for the wildlife trade and through protecting their nests at Tulap from egg thieves. It is listed as ‘Critically Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List.
Tulap Turtle Beach under a rising moon. At the right turtle eggs being collected from a nest to place in the secure hatchery on Tulap beach.
Chiemi and Takashi from LUSH Japan, helping to collect turtle eggs and take them to the hatchery with Willie and Melky, a long-term dedicated turtle protection team member.
Thank you to LUSH for donating SLush funds for Turtle and turtle beach and nest protection on our Tulap beach.
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