17 Maleo Birds are Released at Bakirang Wildlife Sanctuary

TEMPO.CO, Toili - A total of 17 Maleo birds, an endemic species native to Central Sulawesi, bred at PT Donggi Senoro LNG, were released to their habitat at Bakiriang Wildlife Sanctuary, Banggai District, Central Sulawesi, Sunday, 6/8.

The release was led by Banggai Regent, Herwin Yatim, followed by officials of PT DSLNG and community leaders Moilong District, Banggai District. This event is also to commemorate World Environment Day 2017.

PT DSLNG Senior Operations Manager, Selvia Chalis, explained that this release is the second release of these birds. The first release was in 2013, 13 Maleo birds were released in the same habitat.

Maleo birds aged three to four months are the result of hatching eggs using incubator technology. It is also the implementation of the social responsibility program of the liquefied natural gas processing investor in Central Sulawesi.

"This is the first maleo breeding place outside its habitat and has been awarded by the UN environmental agency," said Rahmat, Media Communications officer of PT DSLNG.

he highly protected eggs of the animals were obtained from the community which is generally the result of the Rasia of Conservation Forest Management Bangkiriang.

The release of the Maleo birds was also coupled with the planting of candlenut trees which is the main food source of the Maleo birds.

Yatim appreciates the DSLNG program’s action to preserve maleo birds that are endemic natural areas of Central Sulawesi and have been recognized to become provincial icons. "But this program I ask to be implemented seriously and measurable so that in the next few years we can feel the benefits," he said.

Maleo bird population in SM Bangkiriang, an  area of 12,500 Ha, has currently 30 to 40 pairs that are actively laying eggs out on the beach. However, there is also a Maleo habitat in the upper reaches of the Tumpu River but the population is not yet known.

ANTARA