Two Baby Proboscisants Born In Camp Tim Roberts Conservation Area, South Kalimantan

Baby seeds from two female mothers of the Alpha saar group can be seen on Curiak Island, Sunday (3/3/2024). (Between/Firman)

JAKARTA - The Bekantan Research Station on Curiak Island, Anjir Muara District, Barito Kuala Regency, South Kalimantan again welcomed the birth of two baby defenders from two female mothers of the Alpha group.

"The appearance of this baby defender was seen when we were conducting routine patrols in the Camp Tim Roberts area today," said Dr Amalia Rezeki as Founder of Friends of Indonesian Bekantan (SBI) in Banjarmasin as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

He explained that the birth of the two baby defenders was an extraordinary achievement for the small island area managed and maintained by SBI.

Local fishing communities have also succeeded in contributing to the addition of the world's bekantan population.

The University of Lambung Mangkurat (ULM) Biological Education Lecturer who is often called Amel revealed that during the beginning of this year there had been three births of baby defenders in the Camp Tim Roberts area, which is part of the Bekantan Research Station on Curiak Island which is outside the conservation area.

So that the total population of bekantan, which includes endemic primates, is threatened with extinction in this area, reaching 46 out of 14 when it was originally built as a center for research in Bentan by SBI foundation.

Meanwhile, wildlife conservation activist Ferry F. Hoesain appreciated Amel and his team's efforts, which have succeeded in realizing a strategic work synergy of pentahelix in efforts to preserve the nation and open hopes for an increase in the nation's population as the mascot of the fauna of South Kalimantan.

Meanwhile, Prof. Hadi Sukadi Alikodra, professor of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) who is a senior volunteer researcher, also welcomed the birth of two baby defenders on Curiak Island.

"Alhamdulillah, congratulations on the success of the defender protection, continue until a happy life is achieved for the surrounding village community," he said.

Camp Tim Roberts is a concrete research vehicle and wetland ecosystem located in the Bekantan Research Station area of Curiak Island equipped with facilities, such as a track that also functions as a transaction, monitoring tower, mangrove home, green house rambai, pavilion for discussion rooms, and several gazebos, as well as ecolodge. This area was founded on January 15, 2020 by the SBI Foundation in collaboration with ULM and University Of New Castle Australia. The name Tim Roberts is dedicated to Prof Timothy Roberts Killgour of the University of New Castle Australia, which has contributed to the establishment of the Bekantan Research Station and built a network of cooperation between the University of Newcastle and SBI foundation.