TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya announced that a newly discovered bird species will be named after Indonesian First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo, or Iriana Jokowi.
The feathered creature weighing 32.23 grams was discovered by Indonesian Sciences Institute (LIPI) researcher Dewi M. Prawiradilaga in Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara.
“I arrived at the Presidential Palace today to report to the discovery to the President, and we also asked permission to name the species after the First Lady,” said Minister Siti Nurbaya at the Presidential Palace today on October 30.
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According to Siti, President Joko Widodo or Jokowi responded positively to the plan. Siti also explained that the bird’s official scientific name will be publically announced in the near future.
Based on the data, the 17.2 centimeter-length bird species is set to be named Myzomela Irianae. The bird belongs to the Meliphagidae family and is considered to be a protected species according to Government Regulation No. 7/1999 and Law No 5/1990 on Conservation of Natural Resources and its Ecosystems.
ISTMAN MUSAHARUN PRAMADIBA
