88 BirdingASIA 27 (2017): 88–93

CONSERVATION REPORT Release of confiscated raptors in Indonesia by Suaka Elang (Raptor Sanctuary): protocols and progress to date

GUNAWAN, ZULHAM, HENDRY PRAMONO, DJAMALUDIN, ANNISA YUNIAR, KANTHI HARDINA, SRI MULYATI, KUSWANDONO & IKA KRISTIANA

Introduction and BlackBerry Messenger) as their marketing In the wild, raptors have a role as flagship media, and data on illegal trading through social (Sergio et al. 2008) and as indicators of the health media compiled by Suaka Elang showed that more of ecosystems (Rodríguez-Estrella et al. 1998, than 2,470 raptors were offered for sale in this way Poirazidis et al. 2007). Most species are threatened between January and December 2015 (Table 1) and by illegal trade, hunting, habitat loss and the use there appear to be raptor hobby groups (falconers’ of pesticides (Bildstein et al. 1998, Rodríguez- groups) in most cities. Estrella et al. 1998, Nijman 2000, Supriatna 2012). One of the main reasons for the extent of There are 71 species of diurnal raptors, including the trade is the weak law enforcement against 10 endemic species, in Indonesia (Sukmantoro the illegal traders, illegal owners and hunters of et al. 2007). All diurnal raptors are protected by protected wildlife. However, even the inadequate Indonesian law (Noerdjito & Maryanto 2001) but enforcement efforts by government do result in the illegal hunting and illegal trading of all avian confiscation of captive and these require the species for pets are unfortunately still rampant in best possible rehabilitation. Indonesia, and hunting for trade is one of the main causes of extinction. Much of the trade in raptors Suaka Elang—The Raptor Sanctuary in markets is conducted underground because The Suaka Elang (Raptor Sanctuary) Association most of the people involved know that the birds are was set up on 21 November 2007. It is composed protected by law (Haryanta et al. 2011). However, of five government institutions, six NGOs and some raptor traders use social media (Facebook one corporate supporter, Chevron Geothermal Table 1. Summary of raptors offered for sale, rescued and released. Number offered Rescued by Released by for sale online Suaka Elang Suaka Elang Species (January–December 2015) (2008–2015) (2009–2015) Black-winged Kite Elanus caeruleus 534 Changeable Hawk cirrhatus 380 17 3 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus 319 1 Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus 241 1 1 Crested Serpent Eagle cheela 217 19 12 White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster 172 Spotted Kestrel Falco moluccensis 146 Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi 127 16 6 Grey-headed Fish Eagle Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus 94 Black Eagle Ictinaetus malaiensis 70 1 Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus 44 Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii 26 Chinese Goshawk Accipiter soloensis 22 Oriental Honey Buzzard Pernis ptilorhynchus 20 2 Japanese Sparrowhawk Accipiter gularis 17 Black-thighed Falconet Microhierax fringillarius 13 Black Kite Milvus migrans 10 1 Black Baza Aviceda leuphotes 9 Swamp Harrier Circus approximans 7 Osprey Pandion haliaetus 2 Grey-faced Buzzard Butastur indicus 1 Total number 2,471 58 22 BirdingASIA 26 (2016): 43–46 89

Salak. The site for the sanctuary was selected in 2008: it is located in the east of Gn Halimun Salak National Park, Loji, Bogor district, west Java. The sanctuary has a staff of six, three of them working part-time for Suaka Elang as a contribution from their institutions. However, whenever there is a big public/publicity event, volunteers from universities and birdwatching clubs help as part of the supporting team. The objectives of the Suaka Elang project are to take responsibility for the fate of confiscated captive raptors and where possible give birds a chance of freedom and to play their role in the wild; to support government efforts to raise raptor populations in the wild; to provide media material to raise public awareness of the need for conservation; and for training purposes (Gunawan et al. 2015). Increased public awareness creates a new set of problems— how best to treat and look after these birds. A ‘rehabilitation for release’ programme is the most popular and acceptable choice for an aware public, rather than ongoing captivity or euthanasia. The sanctuary receives raptors confiscated by Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam, other agencies and birds brought in or surrendered by the public

(Plate 1). Other conservation projects in west Java DOC. GUNUNG HALIMUN SALAK NP have experienced problems such as the theft of Plate 2. Young visitors looking at the occupants of a display birds for return to the trade, e.g. the theft of 151 cage, 18 May 2017. Black-winged Starlings Acridotheres melanopterus then transferred to the rescue centre, which is also from the Cikananga Conservation Breeding Centre equipped with medical facilities (these areas are in June 2014, but to date Suaka Elang has had no closed to the public). Display enclosures (4 × 6 × raptors stolen from their site. 3 m) house birds that after assessment have been Facilities at the sanctuary include a public classified as unsuitable for release. Visitors can information centre, rescue centre and avian access these enclosures for conservation education enclosures. Small transit cages (3 × 2 × 2 m) are purposes; to minimise stress on the birds, they can used as temporary accommodation after rescue or only be viewed through small windows on one side when a bird is brought in by local people. Birds are of the enclosure (Plate 2). Pre-release enclosures Plate 1. This evidently very tame Crested Serpent Eagle (8 × 20 m, varying in height between 2.5–8 m) Spilornis cheela was voluntarily handed in to Suaka Elang by its are used for birds that have passed the criteria for former owner, 11 June 2013. rehabilitation and release phase in the rescue centre (Plate 3). There are also habituation enclosures (3 × 4 × 2 m), which are portable and normally set up at release sites to house a raptor prior to release, allowing the bird to recover after transportation and become familiar with its new surroundings.

Suaka Elang release programme protocol In many countries, most wild birds are rescued and rehabilitated after an injury, but in Indonesia most rescued raptors originate from illegal captivity and illegal trading. However, victims of illegal trade also need rehabilitation before release into their natural environment. Although release is the most acceptable option, regrettably, due to their poor physical condition and behavioural problems, not all rescued raptors can be released, and euthanasia

DOC. GUNUNG HALIMUN SALAK NP or continued captivity have to be considered (Moore

DOC. GUNUNG HALIMUN SALAK NP 90 Release of confiscated raptors in Indonesia by Suaka Elang (Raptor Sanctuary): protocols and progress to date

Social behaviour assessment: in their natural environment, wildlife will avoid conflict with other individuals or other species, and associations are not formed with humans. However, in captivity they are forced to adapt and usually become conditioned to, or even dependent on, the owner— in some cases they have been trained for falconry activities (Plate 4). Consequently, we believe that it is most important to assess the extent of the bird’s conditioning and dependence on humans. Release site assessment: although should ideally be released where they were first

DOC. GUNUNG HALIMUN SALAK NP caught, the origin of an illegally traded raptor Plate 3. A typical pre-release cage at Suaka Elang in 2017. It was is hard to trace and release locations used are constructed in 2008 and has been in use ever since, 18 May 2017. based on the natural distribution of the species et al. 2014). Suaka Elang has developed a release in Indonesia (Figure 1). The proposed release site programme for confiscated raptors and this paper assessment is equally important to minimise the summarises the protocols developed to assess risk of failure. Four parameters are used to assess the suitability of individuals to be included in the the suitability of a new release site: habitat , release project. prey availability, nesting facilities and threats to Individual health assessment: confiscated survival. Habitat type: raptor species have different raptors are given a medical check and spend a habitat requirements and the chosen site must hold period in quarantine before being passed to Suaka a sufficiency of optimum habitat. Three factors Elang. This ensures that only healthy raptors are that determine the site suitability are habitat and prepared for potential release. Birds are checked vegetation type, and availability of water resources. again before release to ensure that they do not Prey availability: this is also important to determine present a hazard to the natural population. It is the feasibility of a possible release location. We mandatory that the veterinarian’s assessment of need to know the variety and abundance in the physical condition and freedom from parasites and chosen locality of the wildlife forms on which the the laboratory analysis results confirming freedom species normally depends. Variety of potential from avian influenza and Newcastle disease (a prey is important for a newly released raptor, to contagious viral disease affecting domestic and help it fine tune its skills. Nesting habitat: we hope wild birds, and transmissible to humans) are that released raptors will breed in the wild, and attached to the release recommendation letter availability of good nesting habitat is one of the required by the government. important requirements of the release site. Again, Behavioural assessment: this includes requirements are species-specific and include an assessment of an individual’s basic avian skills, hunting capability and social behaviour. Plate 4. A Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus newly arrived Obviously, released raptors must have basic flying at Suaka Elang; the leather ring on the bird’s foot suggests that it had been used by falconers, 16 April 2017. and perching skills, including the critical skill of manoeuvrability, easily lost by a caged bird due to lack of practice. The exact requirements depend on the species concerned, but the critical criterion is that the assessors must be confident that the bird is capable of survival in the wild. As a , a raptor must have good hunting skills, which are easily diminished or lost in captivity when they do not hunt for food. Hunting skill assessment includes the seeking, catching and handling of prey. This must include, for example, the bird’s ability to select a good perch or use appropriate flying techniques to successfully seek prey, as well as its skill in successfully catching/killing prey—another important skill that may be lost during captivity. Handling the prey includes the ability to pluck a carcass in appropriate cases and the selection of

edible parts. DOC. GUNUNG HALIMUN SALAK NP BirdingASIA 27 (2017) 91

Figure 1. Map showing the release sites: A: Gn Halimun Salak NP; B: Gn Gede Pangrango NP; C: Bukit Barisan Selatan NP; D: Gn Slamet; E: Sermo Nature Reserve; F: Buluh Cina Tourism Forest.

consideration of the tree species, tree height, case the bird is caught or killed, and also to allow dominant vegetation, topography and distance from the monitoring team to identify it in the field. The water resources. Threats: there are many potential marked raptor is put in a habituation enclosure set threats to wildlife in their natural environment, and up at the release point (Plate 5). This enclosure long-term residents are aware of and (often) able to must be big enough for the raptor to express some avoid them. But for rehabilitated birds, unaware of of its natural behaviour and its position must be specific dangers in a strange location, to achieve the appropriate for the specific species. Habituation best release success we need to ensure as far as we periods are between 3–14 days, during which can that threats are minimal. Such threats include the bird is monitored and supplied with various human activities and competition with other potential prey found in the area; it also allows species and, to a lesser extent, other members of the raptor to rest after transportation to the site, their own species. Human activities are important to become familiar with the new landscape and because the released bird probably retains a level to recognise potential prey in the new habitat. The of confidence in humans. The threat from avian raptor is released by opening the cage as wide as competitors needs to be anticipated because the possible, and allowing it to fly by itself (Plate 6). released bird will explore the surrounding habitat The monitoring period, a minimum of 30 days, which may overlap with the territories of other starts immediately the bird is released. During this residents whose natural behaviour is to show period the team collects data about the raptor’s aggression towards trespassers on their territory. Plate 5. Dark morph Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus Applications to release individual birds: a few minutes after being transported from Suaka Elang to the scoring systems have been devised for both the habituation cage on the border of Gn Gede Pangrango NP; the behavioural assessment of the individual and wing-tag is clearly visible, 14 December 2013. the suitability of the proposed release site. These are weighted so that those criteria believed to be most important make up a high proportion of the possible total score, e.g. an individual’s ability to manoeuvre and its ability to seek and catch prey score highly whilst in the case of site selection, variety of prey and freedom from threats rate highly. The recommendations from species (individual) assessment and site assessment are part of the release application documentation submitted to the Indonesian Government as the management authority. The protocol also requires the management authority to issue a release permit (or reject the application) within about two weeks from submission of the application. Release and monitoring: before release, a

wing-tag with a contact number is attached in DOC. SUAKA ELANG 92 Release of confiscated raptors in Indonesia by Suaka Elang (Raptor Sanctuary): protocols and progress to date

Table 2. Summary of individual raptors released by Suaka Elang to 31 December 2015. Key: A = Gn Halimun Salak NP, B = Gn Gede Pangrango NP, C = Bukit Barisan Selatan NP, D = Gn Slamet, E = Sermo Nature Reserve, F = Buluh Cina Tourism Forest. Note 1: after release, the bird moved to forest near a village, where it was found by local people who knew that it came from our release programme, so they fed it for almost two months. We found that the bird had become conditioned to humans, so we decided to catch and re-rehabilitate it. Note 2: the bird soon began to visit the village nearest the release site and, within a month, it remained in that area when it found it was not disturbed by local people; finally we decided to catch the bird and move it to deeper forest, further from human contact. Rehabilitation Arrival Release Release period Species date date location (months) Notes Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi 22/11/08 18/08/09 B 9 Last reported September 2012 Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi 22/11/08 27/06/10 A 19 Lost in first week Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi 22/11/08 27/01/11 A 26 Last reported June 2012 Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus 09/08/09 14/07/12 F 23 Monitored during first week Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus 10/09/09 17/10/09 A 1 Lost on first day Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 19/07/10 07/04/11 A 8 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 06/12/10 16/02/11 E 2 Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi 06/12/10 14/10/11 D 10 Last reported January 2013 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 13/12/11 15/03/12 A 3 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 13/12/11 06/12/12 A 12 Last reported December 2013 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 13/12/11 06/12/12 A 12 Last reported December 2013 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 25/02/12 03/03/15 C 25 First release failed, November 2014 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 25/02/12 20/06/13 A 16 Last reported July 2013 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 06/02/13 20/06/13 A 4 Last reported July 2013 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 06/02/13 03/03/15 C 25 Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus 06/02/13 21/12/13 B 10 Last reported November 2014 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 01/07/13 10/08/14 A 13 Note 1 Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi 18/10/13 15/10/14 A 12 Last reported 20 October 2014 Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi 13/08/14 26/02/15 A 5 Note 2 Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus 13/08/14 03/03/15 C 7 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 17/12/14 22/10/15 A 10 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela 01/04/15 28/11/15 A 7 22 individuals - Average duration of rehabilitation (months) 12

Table 3. Summary of raptors released and release locations. Key. A: Gn Halimun Salak NP; B: Gn Gede Pangrango NP; C: Bukit Barisan Selatan NP; D: Gn Slamet; E: Sermo Nature Reserve; F: Buluh Cina Tourism Forest Species IUCN status A B C D E F Total Javan Hawk Eagle Nisaetus bartelsi Endangered 4 1 1 6 Changeable Hawk Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus Least Concern 1 1 1 3 Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus Least Concern 1 1 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis cheela Least Concern 9 2 1 12 14 2 3 1 1 1 22 condition, behaviour and movements and will monitoring teams to get feedback and ensure that hopefully identify its home-range and preferred local communities are involved in all stages of the habitat, follow the bird’s hunting and feeding programme. activities, and observe ways in which it adapts to its new surroundings to provide feedback for future Conclusion releases. Data compiled from six rescue centres in Indonesia Public awareness and community contacts: it indicate that some 224 diurnal raptors have is important to ensure that people do not disturb been rescued from illegal captivity and about the released bird; this is best achieved through 50 have been released into the wild by different direct discussions with individuals and groups, and organisations. Between 2009 and 2015, Suaka Elang conservation awareness talks. Indirect methods, rescued 58 raptors and released 22 of them into the including publicity in electronic media, posters, wild. In the absence of national government-backed stickers and other campaign tools, are useful, standards laying down procedures, Suaka Elang while social contacts with local communities help has developed its own protocols. Our experiences BirdingASIA 27 (2017) 93 DOC. SUAKA ELANG Plate 6. The same dark morph Changeable Hawk Eagle as in Plate 5. After a habituation period of seven days, the cage was opened and the bird was allowed to fly, 21 December 2013. show that confiscated raptors can be released into Moore, R., Wihermanto & Nekaris, K. (2014) Compassionate conservation, the wild, in some cases, even when they have rehabilitation and translocation of Indonesian slow lorises. been captive since they were chicks. Raptors are Endanger. Species Res. 26: 93–102. important in their natural habitat, but it is hard Nijman, V., van Balen, S. & Sözer, R. (2000) Breeding biology of Javan and expensive to release them back into the wild hawk-eagle Spizaetus bartelsi in West Java, Indonesia. Emu 100: because we need to be as sure as possible that they 125–132. retain their natural abilities in order to survive, and Poirazidis, K., Goutner, V., Tsachalidis, E. & Kati, V. (2007) Comparison of it is essential to choose the release site carefully. nest-site selection patterns of different sympatric raptor species as The minimum cost of returning a single raptor a tool for their conservation. Anim. Biodivers. Conserv. 30: 131–145. to the wild is estimated to be about US$2,000. It Rodríguez-Estrella, R., Donázar, J. A. & Hiraldo, F. (1998) Raptors as has also been very hard intellectually because we indicators of environmental change in the scrub habitat of Baja have had to take every step—rehabilitation, release California Sur, Mexico. Conserv. Biol. 12: 921–925. preparation, site surveys, monitoring and public Sergio, F., Caro, T., Brown, D., Clucas, B., Hunter, J., Ketchum, J., McHugh, awareness and education—by ourselves, without K. & Hiraldo, F. (2008) Top predators as conservation tools: eco- help from other resources. logical rationale, assumptions, and efficacy. Annu. Rev. Ecol. Evol. Syst. 39: 1–19. Acknowledgements Sukmantoro, W., Irham, M., Novarino, W., Hasudungan, F., Kemp, N. & We appreciate and respect all those who have Muchtar, M. (2007) Daftar Burung Indonesia no. 2. Bogor: Indonesian supported Suaka Elang, particularly all the Ornithologists’ Union. volunteers who participate in our activities. Our Supriatna, A. A. (2012) Current status of diurnal raptors in Indonesia and thanks go to Abolghasem Khaledghizadeh, Adam its conservation challenges. Ornis Mongolica 1: 67-73. Supriyatna, Rudyanto and Jose Alvarez who helped with this paper. GUNAWAN, ZULHAM, Hendry PRAMONO, DJAMALUDIN & Annisa YUNIAR References Perkumpulan Suaka Elang Bildstein, K. L., Schelsky, W., Zalles, J. & Ellis, S. (1998) Perum.Indraprasta, Jl. Samiaji Raya No.5, Bantarjati of tropical raptors. J. Raptor Research 32: 3–18. Bogor, West Java, Indonesia Gunawan, Supriyanto, B., Ekariyono, W. & Mulyati, S. (2015) Raptor Email: [email protected] sanctuary: a collaboration scheme for raptor conservation in Indonesia. Raptors Conservation 30: 62 -71. Kanthi HARDINA Haryanta, Agus, Nugroho, D. & Hardianto, N. (2011) Pendataan Bogor Agriculture University dan Pengenalan Jenis Satwa Liar di Pasar Burung Yang Sering Diperdagangkan. Bogor: Wildlife Conservation Society. Sri MULYATI, KUSWANDONO & Ika KRISTIANA Noerdjito, M. & Maryanto, I. (2001) Jenis-jenis hayati yang dilindungi Indonesia Forestry Department Perundang-undangan Indonesia. Cibinong, Indonesia: Museum Zoologi cum Bogoriense, LIPI, The Nature Conservancy & USAID.