"Recently, we have released 70 maleo chicks from semi-natural captivity in Tolitoli District," Hasmuni, head of the Central Sulawesi BKSDA, stated here on Thursday.
The maleo chicks emerged after being kept in semi-natural captivity in the area of Pinjan Tanjung Matop Village, Tolitoli District, he remarked.
Hasmuni noted that several baby maleos hatched after the birds were kept in captivity in Pinjan Village.
Countless maleo eggs have hatched through the semi-natural breeding system, he pointed out.
Hasmuni noted that after growing up, they were released into the forest that was their natural habitat.
Despite being protected by laws, maleo birds are often poached and their meat is sold for consumption. Their giant eggs are also often stolen by poachers.
Hasmuni urged the public to stop hunting birds and maleo eggs.
In addition to the BKSDA, the Lore Lindu National Park (TNLL) Center has also conducted male breeding in captivity to preserve the rare birds.
The TNLL Center conducts semi-natural maleo breeding in Saluki Village, Gumbasa Sub-district, Sigi District.
Maleo breeding has been conducted in Saluki since 2005 that gave rise to thousands of maleo calves released into their natural habitat in the Sulawesi forest.
EDITED BY INE
