Safari Park Releases "jalak Putih" to restore Endemic Brid's Population

Bogor, W Java, (Antara) - The Indonesia Safari Park released 40 captive-bred black-winged starlings in the safari park's area in Cisarua, Bogor Saturday as an effort to restore the population of the endemic bird of Indonesia.

The release of the birds, locally known as "jalak putih", was attended by Minister of Environment and Forestry Siti Nurbaya, Chair of Indonesian Zoo Association PKBSI and representatives of some conservation agencies.

The government has declared the jalak putih, an endemic bird of Java, Bali and West Nusa Tenggara, as critically endangered.

"Its very existence is under the threat of the diminishing habitat and rampant poaching," Director of TSI of Cisarua, Bogor, Tony Sumampau said here Saturday.

Before the release, the Indonesia Safari Park along with Bogor's Natural Resource Conservation Agency and Mount Gede Pangrango Authority conducted a socialization initiative on the importance of bird preservation to residents of five villages and several educational institutions located around the safari park.

"People's role is very important after the release of the jalak putih. They, in fact, have been committed to participating in the bird's preservation," Sumampau said.

On the occasion, Minister Siti Nurbaya handed over an orangutan, a hooked beak bird, and a Sumatran Tiger named Giring.

The orangutan was repatriated from Thailand, while the hooked bill was considered unable to survive in the wild due to a health condition.

Meanwhile, Giring, the tiger, was translocated to the Indonesia Safari Park in Cisarua after it became a victim of human-animal conflict in Seluma, Bengkulu Province.(*)