A Wildlife SOS
The warning bells of extinction come from everywhere, but we are not hearing it. The bells toll of a vanishing fauna that is unique and native only to Indonesia. Read the story of the fast-disappearing leatherback turtle, reportedly caused by marine erosion; of the Maleo bird which sings no more because its habitat is slowly turning into plantations or mining areas; of the empty stillness of Bantimurung, once known as a ‘butterfly heaven.’ Too often, economic reasons win out over conservation efforts. Yet, the will to save perseveres, albeit it comes and goes. A special report of Tempo English Edition from West Papua and Sulawesi.
July 14, 2010
THE residents of Hungayono, Gorontalo, remember 1972 as a good year. It was in this year that the habitats of the Maleo birds in this region were declared a conservation area, and with it came the creation of the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park. This decision was made to overcome the critical condition of endemic wildlife in Sulawesi.
The local populace, aided by non-government organizations (NGOs), quickly went to work on conservation effo
...