45  wild animals were given a second chance
 to live in the wild

41 Javan ebony langurs (Trachyphitecus auratus) or locally known as lutung and 4 barking deers (Muntiacus muntjak) or kijang received a second chance to live in their habitats.  They were released into the National Park of Bromo Tengger Semeru (TNBTS) on 9^th August 2006 in East Java.  Amongst them was a newborn lutung called Intan (Gem) clinging tightly to her mother to start a new life in the forest.
These wild animals had lived in temporary shelter for sometime at Petungsewu Wildlife Rescue Centre (PPS) in Dau village near Malang (East Java).  Prior to their release, each animal underwent medical examination, clinical health tests including behaviour observation,  tagged with microchips identification and received a rehabilitation program to help them adapt to the natural environment in the wild.

Javan ebony langurs, or lutung, are classified as endangered species of primates under IUCN Red List 2004.  Their population decline is due to the loss of habitat and continuous trapping.  Langur’s main characteristic is the extremely long tail of about 80 cm, a small body about 55 cm and glossy black colouring, although some have deep orange in colour.  Langurs live in a tight knit social group of 6 to 18 animals, normally led by a dominant male.  The groups, which were released, consist of 4 family groups.  All Javan ebony langurs in the rescue centre come from different sources, mostly confiscated from illegal traders and some from voluntary handovers from the individual owners.  During their stay at the rescue centre, they were encouraged to form family groups.  A couple of babies were born in the centre, after successful grouping occurred.

The release of the wildlife was formalised with a hand over ceromony on 11 August 2006, attended by the Head of Lumajang Recency, Dir Gen PHKA of Forestry Minister, the Chief of Police of Lumajang district, the Forestry Police and the directors of three national parks in East Java.“The reintroduction of wildlife to their natural habitat provides freedom for the animals to live in the wild to play their role in the natural ecosystem, as well as to reduce the congestion in the wildlife rescue centre” according to Iwan Kurniawan, the Manager of the Petungsewu PPS who coordinated the wildlife release.  According to Iwan during July 2006, there were 262 protected wild animals living in the shelter.  48% were from a direct confiscation in East Java, 33% from trans-locations from other rescue centres, 15% from voluntary handovers and 5% born in the rescue centre.

TNBTS has been selected as it met the requirements for release of wildlife. The criteria to be fulfilled included the availability of the local edible vegetation and suitable forest for animals’ safety, no competition with the endemic wildlife and the area must have existing species distribution of the species being released.  The site selected also must be of national park, free from human activities such as logging, plantation or legal hunting.

The release of the wildlife was funded by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and received scientific recommendation from the Indonesian National Science Institute (LIPI), the official scientific authority in Indonesia.  In their evaluation, LIPI regarded the wildlife release, which was coordinated by ProFauna Indonesia, PPS Petungsewu and the government authority BKSDA Jatim II, as appropriate, as the langurs are an endemic wild species of Java Island.
To ensure their adaptation to the wild, a trained team would follow the animals’ movement in the wild for 3 months, recording every day’s data of the animals’ behaviour, ability to find food and water, ability to detect predators, ability to form social group and home range.

The illegal trade in Javan ebony langurs:

Lutung or Javan ebony langurs are protected under the laws of Indonesia as they are endangered and threatened with extinction. From ProFauna Indonesia’s observation, the langurs’ population in the wild in Java has declined drastically. At present langurs can be found in TNTBS, Mount Arjuna, Hyang Mountain range, National Park Alas Purwa, National Park Baluran, Sempu Island, the forest of R Soerjo and Merubetiri.  The langur population of Panderman and the eastern Kawi mountains is now extinct.

Forest degradation for agriculture or plantations has seriously threatened the langurs and other animals.  The deforestation has decimated the wildlife’s natural habitats, caused landslides and disrupted the natural spring water sources.

In addition to the decimation of forest in Java island, langurs are further endangered due to trapping for illegal commercial exploitation.  ”In 2004, ProFauna observed there were approximately 2500 langurs traded illegally in Java” according to Rosek Nursahid, Director of ProFauna International.  Many langurs are traded in the Kupang and Bratang bird markets in Surabaya, Saradan in Ngawi, Jatinegara and Pramuka bird markets in Jakarta. They are sold for Rp 150,000 - Rp 250,000 (US$18 - US$29) each.

Indonesian state’s legislation No. 5 of 1990 concerning the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems, bans the commercial exploitation of protected wild animals.  Offenders will receive 5 years jail sentence and a fine of Rupiah 100 Million (US$10,500).  ”Effective law enforcement against any offender in trapping or trading langurs would help to protect the Javan ebony langurs’ population” according to Rosek, who is also a founder of  ProFauna Indonesia.

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