Malang (Greeners) – East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency announced Javan banteng (Bos Javanicus) had been declining for the past four years, between 2013-2016, after monitoring in three areas, — Londo Lampesan-Jember protected forest, Lebakharjo-Malang protected forest and Trebasala-Banyuwangi plantation.
In 2013, there were 50 individuals and 47 individuals spotted in 2014. The number keep on declining to 39 and 22 in 2015 and 2016, respectively.
Ayu Dewi Utari, head of the agency, said the decline was most probably caused by plantation. “We also found case banteng eaten by wild dog,” she said, on Tuesday (17/01).
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Besides Banteng, East Java Natural Resources Agency also monitored lesser crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea abbotti), Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii), and Javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi). For lesser crested cockatoo, there were only 23 birds spotted in 2016.
“There are species increasing such as Javan hawk eagle and bawean deer,” she said adding that they covered Banyulinu Forest Block, Ijen Merapi Ungup-Ungup of Banyuwangi, Pancur Forest Block, Kalisat Plantation of Bondowoso and Picis Mountain Nature Reserve of Ponorogo.
“On December 15, 2016, we have released Javan hawk-eagle in Picis Mountain Nature Reserve,” she said.
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Javan hawk-eagle had been increasing from eight in 2013 to 11 in 2014-15. A total of 14 birds spotted in 2016. Meanwhile, Bawean deer has more steady population monitored in Besar Mountain, Mas Mountain and Cina island. In 2016, the population reached 303 deer from 325 deer in 2015.
“[However] the population only 275 in 2014,” she said adding that other conservation agencies monitored other priority species, including tapir, wreathed hornbill, babirusa, Sambar deer, peafowl, Silvery gibbon among others, but, no updates.
Reports by HI/G17
20 Apr 2024 
