Markus Makur
Posted: Sat, April 9
2016 | 02:32 pm
Excessive hunting has put a bird
species native to the Ndora-Aegela forests in Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, at
risk of extinction. Local people still hunt protected birds in forests across
the island, despite a ban on such practices. Located in Ulupulu village,
Nangaroro district, Nagekeo regency, the forests are currently managed by the
Nagekeo Forestry Agency.
A profile of the Wallacea
ecosystem, compiled by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), has
determined that the Ndora-Aegela forests are a key biodiversity area. Apart
from its function as a water catchment area, a number of birds native to Flores
are found in the forests.
On March 14, Burung Indonesia
staff member Samuel Rabenak conducted a short survey in the Ndora-Aegela
forests.
Rabenak said it did not take him
long to spot two birds native to Flores, namely the Flores crow and the Wallace
hanging parrot, locally known serindit Flores. Serindit Flores is
listed as an endangered species.
Rabenak said the discovery
of serindit Flores was good news for bird lovers and conservation
activists overall. He said the Burung Indonesia team had also discovered
several other bird species such as the Flores green pigeon, which is listed as
a vulnerable species.
Many other bird species were
found including the Flores lorikeet, the russet-capped tesia, the chestnut-capped
thrush, Flores minivet, the yellow-ringed white-eye.
Rabenak said the discoveries
could offer an alternative destination for bird watchers in Flores. To date,
Ndora-Aegela has not received much attention from bird watchers, who tend to
focus their attention on the Mbeliling forests and the Ruteng Ecotourism Park
in West Flores.
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