Activist: Songbird Breeders Can Help Conserve Rare Birds
24 October 2018 13:00 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Bogor - A member of Indonesian Bird Conservationists Community (PBI) Endang Utami suggested the songbird breeders to breed Indonesian rare birds. Bird breeders and hobbyists in Indonesia are growing in number. "Now there are around 1,000 breeders based in Java and Bali," Endang said yesterday.
According to Endang, many of the breeders are skillful in breeding the birds, including birds that are difficult to breed. In addition to run the expensive business, breeding practices can help conserve the birds and reduce wild birds hunting.
On the other hand, the International Union for Conservation of Nature had previously expressed concerns of the rising wild birds trading in Indonesia. Some of the birds are the almost-extinct types such as Bali myna, white-breasted starlings, and pokasi kuda (Garrulax rufifrons).
Tony Sumampau, the Coordinator of the Indonesian Wildlife Conservation Forum said the breeders were big potentials for the conservation efforts for Indonesian endemic birds. Tony hopes that the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) would loosen up the permit issued for the breeders.
"People can participate to breed rare and almost-extinct birds, rather than buying imported Indonesian endemic birds," said Tony.
ANWAR SISWADI