JOC – Yogyakarta Wildlife Park (JOC) will soon release a Changeable hawk-Eagle to nature. The Changeable hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus) which had been rehabilitated over 6.5 years in Yogyakarta Wildlife Park will be released at the Sermo Wildlife Sanctuary Area – KulonProgo on Sunday, February 12, 2012. According to the plan, the release of the Changeable hawk-Eagle will be conducted by the Director General of PHKA (Forest Protection and Biodiversity) Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, Ir. Darori, and the Head of Kulonprogo district, Hasto Wardoyo.

In relation to the release plan, since Wednesday (7/2) the Changeable hawk-Eagle was moved from Yogyakarta Wildlife Park in Pasingan Hamlet, Sendangsari Village, Pengasih Sub District, to the habituation cage at Sermo Wildlife Sanctuary Area.

“This habituation concept is to introduce the eagle to the new environment before being released so that the eagle will not be shock later. The introduction of this new environment includes introduction to the air pressure, weather, and trees in the new area, “explained Operations Yogyakarta Wildlife Park Manager, Ferry Ardyanto.

Meanwhile, Yogyakarta Wildlife Park Veterinarian, drh. Dian Tresno Wikanti, said that the long-rehabilitated Eagle was considered worthy to be returned to the wild. “From the assessments that we have done, the Changeable hawk-Eagle was feasible to be released. The Eagle is able to fly, catch life preys and pass the physical and medical examinations, “said Dian.

In addition to releasing one Changeable hawk-Eagle, Yogyakarta Wildlife Park will also be releasing a Crested Serpent Eagle, which had been previously rehabilitated at the Eagle Sanctuary, Bogor, West Java. The release of the Crested Serpent Eagle will also be conducted at Sermo Wildlife Sanctuary Park area, after a period of habituation in the release location for one week.

Sermo Wildlife Sanctuary Area was chosen for the release site because the area is suitable for Changeable hawk-Eagle and Crested Serpent Eagle’s living habitat, as well as being a relatively safe area from hunting because it is a conservation area under Yogyakarta’s Natural Resource Conservation Center.

(Text & photo: Rosa/Edit: Heru CN/ Translate: Sepyusa)