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Gojele, a Brahminy Kite, can often be seen soaring above the tropical getaway of Pulau Kotok, part of the Thousand Islands cluster just north of Jakarta and now a rehabilitation center for kites and other birds.

He was one of eight juvenile kites seized at Jakarta’s international airport in 2004 as traders tried to smuggle them out to a private collector in Saudi Arabia. He was one of the first sea-eagles to be successfully rehabilitated, and released into the wild.

“Their feathers were really damaged when they came in. We had to work on them for almost six months,” said Femke den Haas, the cofounder of the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) which is committed to reintroducing Brahminy Kites to the area.

JAAN took a run-down resort and transformed it into a sanctuary from which 56 formerly captive birds have now been freed.

The proud mascot of the nation’s capital, Brahminy Kites are protected eagles and have been under threat in the Thousand Islands as they were captured and sold illegally as status symbols.

The Forestry Ministry conducts raids on Jakarta’s notorious Pramuka bird market, but acknowledges there is still work to be done.

“We are aware there are still breaches of this law but we are continuing to work on the problem,” said forestry spokesperson Masyhud, who claims the ministry has reduced the trade over the last five years.

However, JAAN says smuggling is on the rise again.

A popular tourist destination, Pulau Kotok boasts a diverse wildlife population, including Barker Deer, Water Monitors and Clown Fish. And a short stroll from the island’s Alam Kotok resort, the squawks of 29 Brahminy Kites, White-Bellied Sea Eagles and a solitary Christmas Island Frigate ring out amongst dilapidated bungalows on the eastern side.

Because of wing and leg injuries sustained in captivity, 19 of the birds can never be released.

However, those kites released — usually on neighboring islands — have now bred successfully, including Gojele, who has fathered two chicks.



Reuters