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ALANG: The number of Javan Hawk-eagles in R Soerjo National Park in Batu, Malang, East Java, is decreasing, making the bird an endangered species.

According to a survey by ProFauna Indonesia, an animal protection charity, there are only two Javan Hawk-eagles in the park.

“In 1997, there were at least six Javan Hawk-eagle in the park,” Rosek Nursahid, the chairman of ProFauna Indonesia, said as quoted by Antara news agency on Friday.

According to Rosek, there are only about 400 Javan Hawk-eagles living in the wild.

Rosek said several factors endangered the rare raptor, such as declining habitat quality, the use of pesticides in nearby farms and the bird’s slow growth and breeding.

“The slow growth triggers the low survivability of the animal,” Rosek said.

The Javan Hawk-eagle is mature at the age of three or four, and breeds once every one or two years.

ProFauna identified several other places in East Java which have become habitats of Javan Hawk-eagles, including Sempu Island, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Merubetiri National Park and Alas Purwa National Park.

It was designated as the national bird in 1993 and was included on the list of protected animals. — JP