Indonesia is blessed to be one of the most naturally biodiverse countries in the world; But that blessing comes with a curse: it is also one of the most densely populated, leading to huge impacts on the destruction of wildlife habitat and the illegal wildlife trade. Animal trade in Indonesia is largely uncontrolled, due to weak enforcement, and led to the highest number of threatened mammals and birds in the world.
According to statistics from the TRAFFIC wildlife trade monitoring network, 1.5 million wild birds are captured and sold to Pasar Burung (bird market) only on Java island each year. Indonesia is considered one of the best traders in the world of non-timber forest products - a key supplier to international markets. Driving this trade is the end consumer, for example parts of tiger feed a lucrative export trade in China, where their hides and bones are sold as souvenirs, talismans and ingredients for traditional medicines. People also purchase live animals as pets, drawn by their attraction as infants, but once the animal reaches adulthood - especially with the Tigers - the owner is no longer able to take care of animal and turns to the sanctuaries of removing their hands [
the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is working with NGOs animal rescue to apprehend poachers and intercept trafficking networks, confiscation of illegally held animals. The lack of resources and staff, however, often hamper the control of poaching in protected areas, and the small number of relief centers complicates the rescue of illegally held animals across the country.
Annette pipe (front row center), Andy Kindangen (bottom right) with their team ASTI
Annette Pipe is co-founder of Animal Sanctuary trust Indonesia (ASTI) and entered a life rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in 2008, and co-founder Andy Kindangen. "We needed to take action to help the conservation of biodiversity of Indonesia's animals, and could not stand by and watch the endangered species, without trying to do something," said Annette.
ASTI rehabilitating displaced species and endangered aid in their conservation subsequently release them into their natural habitats. Acting as a transit center, ASTI is able to rescue and care for about 70 animals at a time. On average, the sanctuary takes in 30-40 animals per year, and attempts to release or move the same number to make room for more animals in need. rate of recovery and success depends on the species and the status of the animal on arrival at ASTI.
Since the beginning operations, the center has had many incredible cases of rescue, recovery and release. One in particular is that of a Javan leopard rescued six years ago from a deer trapped in Banten province. "The leopard, named Aceng, was rescued in collaboration with the government and other NGOs," said Annette. "Aceng quickly recovered from his injuries, and after ten months, he left ASTI for release back to the forest in Pandeglang, Banten. ASTI is still receiving updates to the local population in Pandeglang that Aceng is alive and well -. They recognize the scar around his abdomen "
Unfortunately not all animals can be rehabilitated - some are too seriously injured by poachers and would not survive life in the wild in these circumstances. ASTI provides long term care so that these animals can live a healthy and happy life in captivity Currently, the sanctuary has some non-releasable animals, including an owl and an eagle. - both with the bones of the wings clipped by poachers. - a cockatoo without feathers, and a gibbon with liver problems
Although very rewarding, working in the wildlife rehabilitation is not without its challenges
food A recurring problem is that rescued animals were eating meant for humans, such as rice or fried noodles, and must learn to eat their natural diet arriving at ASTI.
the animals often choose virus or bacteria on animal markets, some of which can be severe and difficult to treat. Often poachers and traders mutilated animals, for instance the bones of wings of eagles and owls are cut, or the teeth of slow loris are cut or removed. Animals can also be traumatized to be kept for years in small dirty cages; in this case ready ASTI attention to their mental and physical condition. ASTI is also faced with the difficulty of finding appropriate centers in other parts of Indonesia to accept their pets when they are ready for the final rehabilitation and release.
ASTI recently completed the rehabilitation of a leopard cat named Margo. Wild cats live in forested areas of Java, Sumatra and Kalimantan, and unfortunately, many people like to keep them as pets. Margo was handed over in January from a private home and fortunately was healthy - his blood tests revealed that she was free of viruses that often afflict leopard cats that were heaped on the animal markets - and was still pretty wild, allowing it to respond well to the rehabilitation program. Margo is now ready to be released into a nearby conservation area ASTI.
Agile gibbon Melly a bath after his transfer to ASTI
ASTI extraordinary work is financed by donations in kind. Donors can even sponsor a particular animal for a period of time, help cover the cost of food, housing and medical costs. Besides the donation or sponsor animals, Annette encourages people to make a difference by not buying animals protected animal markets, and do not visit these markets at all, like animals in these markets are taken directly from the wild .
"Although it is tempting to buy, for example, a baby monkey in a market in an effort to save one person, and keeping it as a pet, it is important to remember that for traders to get the baby they had almost certainly kill the mother, "says Annette." If you buy this baby, poachers will be replaced by another, and another mother will be killed. the baby will probably die anyway, trauma to lose his mother and because survival without the mother is extremely low. "
Sometimes well-meaning people buy these babies and other animals and bring them directly to ASTI, that Annette and Andy ask people do not because the poachers will still go out and catch more wild. The cycle can only be broken by the consumer, said Annette. "We must break the cycle; if someone buys animals, poaching stop. "
To learn how you can help ASTI please visit www.animalsanctuarytrustindonesia.org