Komodo dragon disappearing from natural habitat

Source: The Independent - September 4, 2008
By Kathy Marks, Asia-Pacific Correspondent

The legendary Komodo dragon, a giant carnivorous lizard that feasts on water buffalo, and occasionally even attacks humans, is disappearing from its limited habitat, according to zoologists.

The dragons, which grown to 10ft long and weigh as much as 26 stone, are found only on Komodo and a handful of neighbouring islands in central Indonesia. Already endangered, their numbers are dwindling as a result of habitat destruction and hunting of their prey.

A recent expedition by Indonesian and American zoologists found that the formidable creatures, a protected species, have vanished from one of the smaller islands, Padar. On two other small islands, Nusa Kode and Gili Motang, the populations have dropped to 75 and 115 respectively.

Jeri Imansyah, a member of the team, told Indonesia's Tempo magazine: “The theoretical threshold in determining that a species is on the way to extinction is the presence of less than 100 individuals in its population.”

Komodos, the world's biggest monitor lizards, have a ferocious reputation. Heavily-built, with a powerful tail, massive claws and razor-sharp teeth, they periodically attack local people. However, the only fatal incident in more than three decades occurred last year, when an eight-year-boy was mauled and later died of his wounds.

In June a group of divers including three Britons spent two days fighting off dragons after they were stranded on Rinca island. The reptiles retreated only when they were pelted with rocks.

The dragons' favourite prey is goats, wild boar, buffalo, and above all deer. One bite can be fatal, as their saliva contains dozens of species of poisonous bacteria - a result of them feeding on rotting animal carcasses. They often kill their prey by wounding it first, then waiting for septicaemia to set in.

On Padar island, deer and boar have been wiped out by hunters, according to Ramang Isaka, head of management at the Komodo National Park. He told Tempo that as recently as 2000, dragons were abundant on the island. But none remain. “Total extinction,” Mr Isaka said. “There's no komodo excrements found any more on Padar.”

Tree-felling is another reason that dragons are in decline, experts believe. They need forests to shelter from the sun, and young dragons climb trees to escape from cannibalistic adults. While taking refuge in the branches, they survive by eating insects, birds' eggs, geckos and small lizards. “The species spends about 80 per cent of its time in the forests,” said Mr Jeri.

Gili Motang and Nusa Kode lie within the national park, but are isolated and rarely visited by rangers. Mr Jeri said he had seen fishermen chopping down trees there in order to build a fire and cook their catch.

The larger islands, Komodo and Rinca, are each still home to more than 600 dragons, which are a major tourist attraction. But on Flores, which lies outside the national park, they have disappeared from the east coast, which once had a healthy population, and have declined in other areas. Recent surveys suggest that total dragon numbers may be fewer than 3,000.

There are Komodo dragons in captivity around the world, including at London Zoo, where they were introduced as part of a conservation breeding programme. Highly unusually, females are able to reproduce without their eggs being fertilised by sperm. Zoologists from London and San Diego have played a leading role in studying and monitoring the creatures in the wild.

On Nusa Kode and Gili Motang, the giant lizards have adapted to their environment. With few large mammals present, they eat rodents and geckos. Generally, they grow to a smaller size than average.

The Zoological Society of London has urged Indonesia to ban deer hunting and slash-and-burn farming, in order to arrest the dragons' decline, according to Tempo. It also wants them to be monitored more closely on the smaller islands.

Residents refuse to leave 'tiger area'

Source: The Jakarta Post - September 1, 2008
By Oyos Saroso H.N.,

Bandarlampung

A month after the release of two Sumatran tigers (Tigris panthera sumatrae) from Aceh into the wild at Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Lampung, the indigenous Belimbing clan have protested a plan to relocate them.

Belimbing traditional leader A. Zulqornain Syarif Gelar Sutan Panji Negara said the move was tantamount to wiping his clan off the map, and that they would not back down until the customary issue was completely resolved.

"Should they relocate us, where would we go? The planned site is Sumber Rejo village, an illegal logging area that is not authorized by the state.

"Our only problem concerns the rights of the indigenous people. Under the State Constitution, traditional communities are clearly protected. We certainly refuse to lose our identity," said Zulqornain, who is also a civil servant at West Lampung regency administration.

Belimbing customary figures had already discussed a plan to vacate Pangekahan to make way for a wildlife conservation area for five tigers from Aceh, Zulqornain said.

The meeting decided on three conditions; the Belimbing clan would retain rights to traditional land encompassing Pangekahan, Wayharu and Bandardalam hamlets; this land and its contents must be returned to the Belimbing clan in the event authorities relocate residents from Pangekahan (native or newcomers); land which has been sold must be returned to the Belimbing clan's customary caretaker.

"As customary land owners, we refuse to be relocated whether or not compensation is offered," Zulqornain said.

Pangekahan hamlet chief Khusairi Raja Muda said neither West Lampung regency administration nor the company managing the tiger conservation area, PT Adhiniaga Kreasindo (owned by businessman Tommy Winata), had ever met to discuss the proposal with the clan thus far. Instead, he said, the clan had received a letter from Regent Mukhlis Basri ordering them to vacate the village so as to accommodate five Sumatran tigers from Aceh.

Khusairi vowed to defend the area even if force was used, adding that 50 percent of the 164 families, or around 500 people, were members of the Belimbing clan while the rest were of Javanese, Bugis, Sundanese, Balinese and Batak ethnic origins.

"We strongly uphold our traditions. We won't leave Pangekahan, and refuse to accept the offer of 1.5 hectares of farmland and Rp 7.5 million (approximately US$833.00) in cash per family," he said. Since the planned release of the five tigers (with two released thus far), Khusairi said Bengkunat Belimbing district chief M. Nizom had pushed Pangekahan villagers to move promptly.

Equipped with a letter from the West Lampung regent, Nizom told villagers each family would be compensated with, among other things, 1.5 hectares of farmland, Rp 5 million in cash, a four-by-six metre house and living expenses for six months.

"Many villagers agreed to move. But more recently the regency administration changed the offer to only the 1.5 ha plot and Rp 7 million per family," Khusairi said. Nizom intimidated villagers into signing statements saying they agreed to move, he added.

"The district chief said villagers would regret it if they didn't move. They finally gave in. But the problem remains that they don't know where to go."

Pangekahan villager Hidayaturahman said residents were constantly worried for their safety since the two tigers were released in the area.

"The tigers are more tame than other tigers in this area. They often venture into the village and sleep in front of the school. So far they have devoured 12 goats and 10 chickens," he said.

Two of the five tigers caught in Aceh were released June 22 at Tambling Conservation area in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. At that time, Tommy had assured the villagers that the tigers would not prey on them, saying there was adequate food in surrounding forests.

West Lampung Regent Mukhlis Basri said he was still waiting for a decision from the Forestry Ministry on a relocation site for the 164 families in Pangekahan.

"We are also waiting for funds from the third party to relocate the villagers," Mukhlis said.

Melacak Jejak Macan Dahan di Kalimantan

Sumber: Antara, 01 September 2008
Oleh Kasriadi

Palangkaraya

Siang hari seperti biasa, Suta pergi ke hutan di sekitar tempat tinggalnya di Desa Butong Kecamatan Teweh Tengah Kabupaten Barito Utara, Kalimantan Tengah melihat perangkap (jerat) yang dipasang untuk menangkap babi.

Berburu babi dengan jebakan merupakan pekerjaan rutinnya selain sebagai petani karet, namun saat melihat alat perangkap tradisional yang disebut warga setempat jipah itu bukannya hewan babi yang terkena perangkap melainkan seekor binatang yang kulitnya bercorak awan (bulat-bulat) berwarna abu-abu dengan panjang tubuh satu meter.

"Saat saya melepas dari jerat perangkap, binatang itu tanpa meronta padahal taringnya cukup panjang sekitar 10 cm," kata Suta lelaki berusia 40 tahun itu yang tinggal di RT 5 Desa Butong.

Binatang itu kemudian dibawanya ke desanya berjarak tiga kilometer menggunakan tas terbuat dari rotan yang ditaruh dipunggung (lanjung) biasa dijadikan alat untuk mengangkut hasil kebun warga setempat. Tertangkapnya binatang liar yang ternyata macan dahan (neofelis diardi) itu langsung membuat gempar masyarakat di sekitar tempat tinggalnya yang tidak jauh dari SDN-1 Butong. Macan dahan hidup dari pohon ke pohon di dalam hutan lebat.

Semula binatang itu akan diserahkan kepada Pemkab Barito Utara untuk dipelihara, namun tiga hari setelah ditangkap, macan itu telah melarikan diri dengan cara merusak papan kayu yang dijadikan kurungan dan diletakkan di bawah rumah. Padahal, Suta tengah mempersiapkan sangkar yang dibuat dari besi namun binatang itu hilang tanpa diketahui keberadaannya lagi.

Sementara itu, Alwis Gandrung, seorang warga Muara Teweh, mengatakan bahwa kepercayaan masyarakat setempat tertangkapnya hewan langka berjenis kelamin jantan yang disebut satua panjang buntut atau binatang panjang ekor oleh warga suku Dayak setempat sebagai tanda kenaasan atau sial baik bagi penemu maupun binatang tersebut.

Menurut dia, binatang ini sulit ditemukan sehingga bagi orang yang bisa mendapatkannya berarti binatang tersebut mengalami sial atau disebut warga setempat dengan nama kepuhunan. Bahkan, orang Dayak mempercayai binatang itu merupakan hewan jadi-jadian atau mahluk halus dan baru kali ini macan dahan bisa ditangkap, kata Alwis.

Sesuai kepercayaan suku Dayak, macan dahan yang berhasil ditangkap warga berarti binatang itu mengalami sial. Sedangkan, orang yang sedang berada dalam hutan dan melihat binatang tersebut, namun macan dahan keburu lari maka warga tersebut yang kena naas atau musibah seperti terjangkit penyakit.

Secara terpisah, Yusuf Trismanto, Kepala Kantor Seksi Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (KSDA) Wilayah IV Muara Teweh mengatakan populasi salah satu binatang buas ini sudah mulai terancam karena hutan yang selama ini menjadi habitatnya sudah banyak tergusur dijadikan kawasan perkebunan, kegiatan perusahaan HPH maupun pertambangan.

Mungkin karena kelaparan tidak menemukan binatang lain yang biasa menjadi santapan, macan dahan pun yang selalu hidup di atas pohon itu harus turun ke tanah guna mencari makanan.

Yusuf Trismanto mengatakan, kalau memang binatang itu terancam habitatnya bukan berarti akibat perburuan atau dibunuh, karena selama ini macan dahan sulit ditemukan dan keberadaannya tidak terlacak.

"Kalau binatang itu terancam punah, tidak disebabkan perburuan karena selama ini tidak pernah terdengar orang menemukan binatang tersebut lalu membunuhnya," jelas Yusuf.

Menurut dia, populasi macan dahan di Kabupaten Barito Utara saat ada di kawasan perkebunan kelapa sawit PT Antang Ganda Utama terutama di wilayah kebun kemitraan di Desa Rarawa Kecamatan Gunung Timang.

Di wilayah itu, warga sering melihat macan dahan, bahkan masyarakat takut pergi ke hutan seorang diri, karena binatang itu tubuhnya cukup besar, bahkan binatang itu kelaparan dengan memakan ternak babi warga setempat. Selain itu, macan dahan pernah terlacak di kawasan perkebunan sawit PT Berjaya Agro Kalimantan dan kawasan Cagar Alam Pararawen wilayah Desa Lemo Kecamatan Teweh Tengah.

Yusuf Trismanto menyatakan, secara ekologi keberadaan macan dahan di daerah ini memang ada, namun sekarang sulit ditemukan. "Hewan ini sangat langka karena kita biasanya hanya menemukan jejak atau laporan petugas dan warga masyarakat yang pernah melihatnya," katanya.

Namun, Yusuf sangat terkejut dengan ditangkapnya macan dahan oleh warga Desa Butong yang selama ini lebih banyak mendengar kisahnya baik melalui petugas di lapangan maupun masyarakat ketimbang melihat sendiri. "Setelah saya melihat foto yang diambil melalui kamera ponsel oleh warga setempat ternyata memang besar dan hal ini memang kejadian langka apalagi sampai bisa ditangkap," ujarnya.

Sementara itu, Kepala Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Kalteng, Mega Haryanto, menyatakan pihaknya masih berupaya menelusuri populasi macan dahan yang diperkirakan semakin jarang ditemukan.

Di Kalteng macan dahan masih bisa ditemukan seperti di Taman Nasional Sebangau, Taman Nasional Tanjung Puting, Kabupaten Kotawaringin Barat, dan Taman Nasional Bukit Baka-Bukit Raya, Kabupaten Kotawaringin Timur. Selain itu di daerah lain juga diketahui memiliki habitat macan dahan dalam jumlah kecil seperti di Cagar Alam Sapat Hawung, Pararawen, Suaka Margasatwa Lamandau, Hutan Lindung Bukit Bantikap, dan Blok E kawasan Pengembangan Lahan Gambut.

"Secara pasti belum diketahui habitat dan jumlahnya. Kami masih melakukan penelusuran jejak, karena macan dahan termasuk hewan langka," ujarnya.
Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Kalteng memasang kamera di lokasi lembaga penelitian di dalam hutan Taman Nasional Sebangau, Kalteng dan belum lama ini merekam foto seekor macan dahan.

Foto serupa di habitat aslinya, juga sempat beberapa kali terekam, termasuk kemunculan macan dahan di daerah hutan dan jembatan kanal air yang biasa dilintasi manusia di wilayah itu.

"Populasinya dari dulu tidak diketahui, meski keberadaannya sering terlihat di sejumlah daerah konservasi di Kalteng," kata Kepala Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam Kalteng, Mega Haryanto. Macan dahan termasuk dari ratusan jenis hewan langka yang dilindungi UU No 55/1995 tentang Konservasi dan Sumber Daya Hayati. Dalam Undang-Undang tersebut Pasal 40 mengatur jelas semua orang dilarang menangkap dan memiliki hewan-hewan langka.

Satwa khas Kalimantan itu sebelumnya disebut dengan nama spesies Neofelis nebulosa, namun sejak tahun lalu diubah menjadi Neofelis diardi karena hasil tes DNA menunjukkan, macan dahan asal Indonesia itu memiliki banyak perbedaan sifat genetik dengan macan dahan sejenis yang tersebar di Benua Asia.

Mengacu data World Wildlife Fund (WWF), macan dahan yang baru diklasifikasikan sebagai spesies baru itu diperkirakan tersisa antara 5.000 hingga 11.000 ribu di Kalimantan dan antara 3.000 hingga 7.000 di Sumatera. Hewan langka itu memiliki corak seperti awan yang kecil, corak bergaris ganda di punggung, dan warna rambut berwarna abu-abu yang lebih gelap daripada spesies sejenisnya.

Neofelis diardi merupakan predator utama di hutan Kalimantan, dengan makanan monyet, rusa, burung, dan kadal. Ukuran gigi taring terhadap tubuhnya tergolong paling panjang di antara kucing lainnya. Harapan hidupnya kini hanya tersisa di kawasan Heart of Borneo, hutan tropis di bagian tengah Borneo seluas 220 ribu kilometer persegi yang telah ditetapkan pemerintah Indonesia, Malaysia, dan Brunei Darussalam sebagai kawasan konservasi. (*)