Java's dolphin conservation center set for sea change

Suherdjoko ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Kendal, Central Java   |  Tue, 10/14/2008 10:28 AM  |  Environment

Ucil and Venus darted playfully beneath the water's surface, taking turns at jumping and flicking a red basketball high into the air.

The elementary and junior high school students watching these dolphins perform rushed to the edge of the arena, clapping wildly.

It seemed as though Venus knew she was getting compliments. Turning back, she jumped high above the water and plunged deep into the pool.

Ucil and Venus are bottlenose dolphins. Ucil, who is around two years old, was accidentally caught in a fisherman's net in Kendal, Central Java, and almost died.

Fortunately, the fisherman who discovered Ucil in his net knew that dolphins were a protected species and reported his catch to the Natural Resource Conservation Board (BKSDA) in Central Java.

Ucil was then looked after by the Dolphin Conservation Institution, which operates under PT Wersut Seruni Indonesia in Kendal regency, Central Java.

"It was obvious the animal had been injured," Dedi Rinyadi, the public relations officer for BKSDA Central Java, told The Jakarta Post.

When inadvertently trapped in the net, Ucil suffered injuries to 5 percent of it's body through attempts to escape captivity.

The fisherman was not aware that dolphins are mammals and breathe with their lungs.

"Ucip's lungs were infected, but there wasn't any bleeding. To heal the dolphin's wounds, we administered a drug called kalmucatin to improve its chances of survival," Dedi said.

"We also treated it with another strong drug called biossolamin. Fortunately, Ucil's condition improved," he said.

Ucil's wounds were treated and a keeper poured water over its body to ensure it remained moist. After the drugs took effect, Ucil was released into the pool with Venus.

Obtained by a legal permit, Venus, an older dolphin, was deliberately caught in the Java Sea off the island of Karang Sebapang, Jepara regency.

Head of the BKSDA in West Java, Minto Basuki, said that in Indonesia there were at least 12 fauna conservation institutions. In Central Java these are in Kendal and Seruling Mas Banjarnegara.

But the centers equipped to handle dolphins are at Sea World Ancol, Jakarta and at the Hotel Melka, in Singaraja, Bali.

PT Wersut Seruni Indonesia in Kendal has been operating since 1999. Dedi said that initially the conservation institution worked in cooperation with PT Taman Safari, but later became independent.

"We recruited workers from the original community around this area. There are more than 20 people involved in the management of this institution," said Dedi.

There are three pools in the center, each holding two dolphins. Apart from Venus and Ucil there are other pairs -- Rimba and Rindu, and Roban and Robin. Their ages range from three to seven years.

When the Post visited Rimba and Rindu were in quarantine. "They've just come from performing. We often hold dolphin performances in cities around Java," said Haryanto, a dolphin trainer at the institution and coordinator of the keepers.

The dolphins can perform for up to a month before taking a break to recover. They are often transported in a special truck equipped with a pool to performances in places such as Semarang, Ungaran, Cakung (in Jakarta), Nganjuk, Ngawi, Surabaya and cities in West Java.

At locations far from the sea, organizers mix their own saltwater by adding 52 tanks of freshwater to one ton of salt, a suitable composition and environment for the dolphins.

Haryanto has taught the dolphins to jump through burning hoops, play with balls and communicate by kissing the cheeks of people in the audience.

Haryanto and his colleagues also use otters, cockatoos and peacocks in the dolphin shows.

Those visiting the dolphins can enter for free, but to watch a performance of Venus and Ucil playing ball, or Rimba and Rindu greeting guests, requires a fee.

The center is currently building a show pool, much like that found in a sporting complex. There is a mini grandstand poolside for the audience to watch the dolphin show.

"The cost is high ... the daily expenses are also high. For just one day we have to buy 60 kilograms of ikan kembung (fish for the dolphins to eat)," Dedi said.

"One kilogram costs Rp 12,000 ($1.20), not forgetting the expensive medication we need for the animals."

If a dolphin becomes ill, Dedi said, the cost of one medication shot can reach Rp 500,000 ($55).

The center hopes to build a therapy pool in the coming months to assist people with autism and stroke victims.

"We really hope that (playing in the water with the dolphins) might help cure sick people. The cost would be cheap and only snack money for the keepers would be required. Our principle aim is to help others," said Dedi.

The center has so far saved 13 dolphins. Five have been sent to a conservation center in Bali while the others have been released back into the sea.

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