Javan Hawk
The magnificent Javan hawk-eagle, Nisaetus bartelsi, is endemic to the island of Java, Indonesia (Strange, 2001). The species is endangered, with varying estimates of over 600 individuals or 270 to 600 pairs remaining in the wild (BirdLife International). The fact that the Javan hawk-eagle is Indonesia’s national bird should be sufficient stimulus to protect the species, but it remains vulnerable to habitat degradation and trafficking.
The symbol of Indonesia’s state ideology, known as Pancasila, is a mythical bird called the Garuda. Because of the likeness of the Javan hawk-eagle to the mythical Garuda, it was named as Indonesia’s National Rare/Precious Animal in 1993 by former President Soeharto (Wildlife Extra). Given this celebrated status of the Javan hawk-eagle, it would seem that protection of the species would be guaranteed, but unfortunately the opposite is true; the increased attention drawn to the species has resulted in an increased demand for it on the black market.
As is so often the case with endangered species, one of the major threats to the survival of the Javan hawk-eagle is fragmentation and destruction of habitat. This bird lives in mountain forests from 500 to 1000 meters above sea level, each pair needing a home range of approximately 400 hectares with sufficient availability of appropriate food items, small mammals, birds, snakes and lizards (BirdLife International).
While many natural forests on the island of Java have suffered encroachment by human settlements, conservation areas for the Javan hawk-eagle do exist in Gede-Pangrango and Halimun-Salak National Parks in West Java, and Betiri National Park in East Java.
In addition to habitat challenges, the Javan hawk-eagles are vulnerable to trafficking and may be found being sold illegally in bird markets. It is estimated that such trading accounts for the capture of at least 40 individuals per year (BirdLife International), placing extreme pressure on wild populations of the hawk-eagles. Many of these captured birds are smuggled overseas to become exhibits in zoos or members of private collections.
Clearly, there is a need for aggressive conservation efforts to ensure the survival of the Javan hawk-eagle in the wild.
To address this issue, Birdlife International are implementing programs to promote the conservation and recovery of the Javan hawk-eagle, incorporating work to improve habitat management, expand hawk-eagle conservation areas, guard nests that are close to human settlements, improve enforcement of anti-poaching legislation, and educate the general public.
In addition, the Indonesian government and conservation groups continue to confiscate Javan hawk-eagles being held illegally or traded in bird markets. These confiscated birds are taken to animal rescue centers where they are rehabilitated for release back to the wild, many releases being coordinated by the Suaka Elang Raptor Sanctuary in West Java.
The BirdLife International programs for conservation of the Javan hawk-eagle, together with the release of rehabilitated birds, will hopefully do much to ensure the survival of this endangered species.