Eagle is Endangered

The Javan Hawk-Eagle is the national bird of Indonesia. In Indonesia, it is usually known as Garuda. This bird has become the national emblem of Indonesia that symbolizes strength and power. Nevertheless, it’s so difficult for us to see eagles in Indonesia because there were only around 400 Javan Hawk-Eagles living in the wild. This number is continually decreasing, making eagle an endangered species. There are several factors endangered Javan Hawk-Eagles:

1.      1. The declining of habitat quality

The Javan Hawk-Eagle occurs in humid tropical forests of Java. Its range in East Java includes Sempu Island, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Meru Betiri National Park, and Alas Purwo National Park. There are also some eagles 

that live in Gunung Halimun Salak National Park. But according to the officer of the national park, there has been damaged to the protected forest. It made the eagles loss their habitat and food. The damaged of protected forest is caused by human activity like illegal logging.

1.     2.   The slow growth and breeding of eagles

The Javan Hawk-eagle is mature at the age of three or four. It is believed to be monogamous. It means that this bird is so loyal to its pair. It breeds once every one or two years. The slow growth triggers the low survivability of the bird. Although eagle is an Indonesian endemic, but Indonesia still can’t breed this rare raptor because the habitat is still damaged.

2.   3.     Illegal hunting

The Javan Hawk-Eagle is one of the most beautiful and exotic bird in the world. It has dark brown body. Its head and neck are rufous and it is heavily barred black below. Its long black crest with a white tip makes this bird be more unique. People are still hunting this bird to be sold or to be keep in a cage because of its beauty. 

From the factors above, we can conclude that human activity is the most affecting factor of the decreasing of the eagles’ number in Indonesia. The preservation of rare animals is the responsibility of all parties. Moreover, it is our national bird ‘Garuda’ that is becoming endangered. Do not let Indonesian children can’t see eagles in the future. The things that we should do to preserve eagles and other rare animals are :

1.     a.Do not destroy forests and other natural environment such as sea, lake, etc.

2.     b.Do not hunt wild and rare animals.

3.     c.Do not buy or sell rare animals.

4.     d.Comply the government regulations on protecting endangered animals.

 

There are some government regulations to protect endangered animals. Some of them are :

1.   1. UU No. 5 1990, about the conservation of natural resources and ecosystems.

2.   2. Kepres No. 4 1993, about National Flora & Fauna that set eagle as the wildlife national pride.