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 species 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 birds 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 bird 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 Eagle Nisaetus cirrhatus 380 17 3 Brahminy Kite Haliastur indus 319 1 Crested Goshawk Accipiter trivirgatus 241 1 1 Crested Serpent Eagle Spilornis 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 animals 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 type, 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.