PLN Lestarikan Animal Langka Dengan Terhasilkan 9 Egg Bird Maleo

Photo: Doc. PLN

JAKARTA - Included in the top 10 endangered Indonesian endemic animals, now the male bird has received more attention from PLN through its TJSL Program.

In Bitung, December 1, PT PLN (Persero) collaborates in efforts to maintain rare malleo birds in the Two Brother Nature Reserve. PLN together with the Tangkoko Conservation Forest Management Unit (KPHK), Two Nature Reserves and the North Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) succeeded in helping to increase the population of malleo birds by hatching 9 eggs.

Through the Social and Environmental Responsibility (TJSL) program, PLN together with the North Sulawesi BKSDA have built a hatchery facility since 2019.

This program is accompanied by the use of the surrounding community as a supervisor so that malleo birds are free from the threat of natural predators such as monitorlets and snakes.

Head of the Conservation Section for Region 1 Bitung, Yakub Ambagau, said that the Tangkoko KPHK has finally returned to become a maleo habitat after being with PLN releasing 11 male birds to the Dua Saudara Nature Reserve in 2019.

"Now the population of maleo birds has increased to 20, after hatching 9 eggs this year. This moment is very grateful considering the maleo is one type of animal that is difficult to breed," he explained.

He said the population of maleo birds in Indonesia is estimated to be no more than 10,000. For this reason, this unique rare animal needs special handling so as not to be threatened with extinction.

"Due to nesting in an open and warm sandy area, when laying the maleo bird, you have to dig the sand and bury the eggs until they hatch by themselves. Therefore, we need to help monitor them until they hatch," he added.

Head of the North Sulawesi BKSDA, Askhari Dg. Masikki added that the main problem was the decline in the population of the maleo birds because they could not lay eggs in any place. The main predators such as the biawak often target newly hatched eggs and cubs, therefore the construction of egg-fixing facilities is very much needed.

"This will be a continuous synergy between the North Sulawesi BKSDA and PLN. Through this collaboration, we hope to make Bitung City one of the icons of the preservation of malleo birds in the country," he said.

On the same occasion, General Manager of PLN's Sulawesi Generation and Distribution Main Unit, Jarot Setyawan said that PLN will always support environmental sustainability programs through its TJSL. The success of this maleo bird preservation program is one of the programs that provides benefits and impacts for the sustainability of the green ecosystem in North Sulawesi.

"This is a good form of synergy between PLN, Tangkoko KPHK, and also the North Sulawesi BKSDA in an effort to preserve animals and the environment as a legacy of our children and grandchildren in the future," he explained.

This effort is also in line with PLN's commitment to implementing Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) principles in maintaining sustainable environmental sustainability.

"Hopefully this program can inspire and encourage all of our concern for environmental sustainability," concluded Jarot.