Analysis of changes in biological diversity within the boundaries of the nature monument “Serebryany Bor” on the example of rare and protected animal species

The data on the analysis of changes in the number of rare species of birds, mammals and reptiles living within the boundaries of the specially protected natural territory - the natural monument Serebryany Bor for 2018-2020 is presented. The research used the method of visual accounting, winter route accounting, the method of route accounting of birds by E.S. Ravkin. As a result, rare species of animals listed in the Red Book were found, which indicates the biological diversity of the studied territory and justifies the need to use environmental measures within its borders to preserve rare species in the future.

Assessing horseshoe crab avoidance response of flicker and continuous red-light LED: Gillnets bycatch mitigation

The horseshoe crab has the important roles as macrobenthos, but it is unfriendly for gillnets fisheries because it can damage the fishing net. The horseshoe crab is an ancient, rare, and protected animal so that the fishermen unable to utilize it, so the effort like mitigations need to be conducted like using red light LED. To avoid the learning behavior of horseshoe crab, so that the technology used is red light LED continuous then the red light led with flicker is used as a comparison. This study aims to determine the right type of red-light LED for horseshoe crab bycatch mitigation by the response pattern. The method used was a laboratory experiment. There are 20 adult horseshoe crabs used. The analysis used was descriptively comparative. The results showed that the red-light LED with flicker was most avoided by horseshoe crabs, which is 75%, while the fastest response of horseshoe crab in avoiding light was found in the light with a flicker effect of 22.97 seconds. Based on the horseshoe crab’s response, it can be concluded that the red LED light flicker is better than the red LED continuous as an alternative technology for the mitigation of horseshoe crab bycatch.

IMPLEMENTASI PERTANGGUNGJAWABAN PELAKU TINDAK PIDANA MEMPERNIAGAKAN BAGIAN-BAGIAN TUBUH SATWA YANG DILINDUNGI (Studi Putusan Nomor: 1027/Pid.Sus/LH/2018/PN.Tjk.)

Ilegal wildlife trade is a serious threat to the conservation of wildlife in Indonesia. Wildlife illegally traded based on the facts found in the wield are mostly caught from the wild, instead of breeding. Natural Resources Conservation Center as an institution that has an important role in rescue efforts are strategic and Endangered species protection of law number 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Biological Resources and Ecosystem. The problem in this study is whether the factors causing the perpetrators to commit criminal acts trade the body parts of the protected animals, and how they are accountable and what efforts to overcome them. Juridical normative and empirical research methods, using secondary and primary data, obtained from library studies and field studies. Based on the results of research and discussion, it is known that the factors causing the perpetrators to commit criminal acts trade the body parts of protected animals, namely economic factors, environmental factors, and factors of public knowledge of the prohibition. The responsibility of the perpetrator of the crime of trading the body parts of the protected animal has been decided by the defendant proven guilty and sentenced to imprisonment for: 3 (three) years and a fine of Rp. 50,000,000 (fifty million rupiah). One of the factors that caused the criminal act to trade the body parts of the protected animals was due to the lack of socialization or knowledge of the community against the prohibition on killing / selling wild animals.

Experiences of the Hungarian customs authority in international illegal wildlife trafficking

In this paper, we examine how Hungarian customs officers perceive the role of Hungarian customs authority and its effectiveness in international illegal wildlife trafficking. We aim to identify the characteristics of international illegal wildlife trade, which also affects Hungary, and to evaluate the experience of customs officers. Most of these custom officers encounter such crimes of international nature. By assessing and publishing their experience one can take more effective action in the future. This approach allows to identify the methods of offense, the reasons of offense, and the difficulties faced by the custom authorities. To explore this, we conducted a questionnaire survey of 27 questions addressed to many members of the target group. The survey contained closed questions and, to a lesser extent, open-ended questions, allowing to learn both their objective experience and subjective opinions. Prior to the survey, we mapped out which units of the National Tax and Customs Administration would encounter most often international illegal wildlife trafficking, and then compiled the relevant issues that may allow effective action against this kind of incident. By devising the questionnaire, our aim was to assess how frequent illegal wildlife trafficking in Hungary is, what routes and hiding methods are typical, which species are affected, and what measures are needed to increase efficiency of combating trafficking. The questionnaire was completed by 202 experts. Results show that in course of their work most respondents (64%) have met International Wildlife Trafficking monthly. According to their experience, attempts are being made to smuggle various endangered animal and plant species into the country, mainly at the Liszt Ferenc International Airport in Budapest. According to respondents, in most cases, international networks may be behind the smuggling activity. Respondents believe that the effectiveness of combating wildlife trafficking can be improved by more frequent and thorough inspections, higher priority given to such cases, increased penalties, and special training of customs officers. Based on received answers, the paper highlights the phenomena and problems that generally occur globally in the inter-regional trade of illegal wildlife. These can be addressed by effective action of law enforcement officers and customs authorities. The fight against illegal trade in protected animal and plant species is considered high priority, as it causes loss of biodiversity and damage of the ecological balance, and it jeopardizes our sustainable future.

ILUSTRASI BUKU ENSIKLOPEDIA BURUNG RANGKONG DI INDONESIA

AbstrakBurung Rangkong atau Enggang yang dikenal juga sebagai ‘petani hutan’ memiliki peranan penting bagi hutan tropis di Indonesia, sebab kebiasaannya yang gemar menebar biji buah sisa makanannya saat ia terbang. Biji buah yang tersebar tersebut dapat menjadi bibit pohon baru dan dapat meregenerasi hutan secara alami. Namun, keberadaan burung tersebut jarang diketahui oleh masyarakat Indonesia. Padahal populasi burung tersebut di alam liar sangat mengkhawatirkan, hampir semua jenis Burung Rangkong memiliki status satwa yang dilindungi. Sangat disayangkan jika masyarakat khususnya anak-anak Indonesia di masa mendatang tidak mengenal burung yang sangat penting dan eksotis tersebut. Dibutuhkan media yang dapat memuat berbagai informasi dari Burung Rangkong dan menjadi media pengenalan yang menarik bagi anak-anak, maka buku ensiklopedia berilustrasi dipilih sebagai media utama pada penelitian ini. Terdapat 2 tahap yang digunakan dalam penelitian, yaitu tahap persiapan dan tahap penciptaan. Hasil dari penelitian ini menghasilkan konsep “Mengenal ‘Petani Hutan’ Indonesia”, yang digunakan sebagai acuan untuk menciptakan media buku ensiklopedia berilustrasi dengan tujuan mengenalkan berbagai hal tentang Burung Rangkong beserta jenisnya tanpa harus bertemu atau melihat langsung burung tersebut di alam maupun di suaka marga satwa. Diharapkan Buku Ensiklopedia tersebut juga dapat menjaga eksistensi Burung Rangkong yang dilindungi. Kata Kunci: Anak, Buku, Burung Rangkong, Ensiklopedia, Ilustrasi AbstractHornbill is also known as 'forest farmers', has an important role in tropical forests in Indonesia, because of its habit of spreading the leftover seeds when it flies. The scattered fruit seeds can become new tree seedlings and can naturally regenerate the forests. However, the existence of these birds is rarely known by Indonesian society. Whereas the population of these birds in the wild is very worrying, almost all types of hornbills have protected animal status. It is unfortunate if society especially future Indonesian children do not recognize this very important and exotic bird. The Media that contain information about Hornbill is needed as an interesting knowledge medium for children, so the illustrated encyclopedia book was chosen as the main media in this research. In this research, there are 2 stages used which are the preparation stage and the stage of creation. The results of this study produced the concept of "Get to know Indonesia's Forest Farmers " which is used as a reference to create an illustrated encyclopedia book media to introduce various things about hornbill and their species without having to meet or see the bird directly in nature or wildlife reserves. It is expected that the encyclopedia book can maintain the existence of the protected hornbill. Keywords: Children, Book, Hornbill, Encyclopedia, Illustration

The gut microbiota in the common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus): a report from the Beijing Raptor Rescue Center

As a complex microecological system, the gut microbiota plays crucial roles in many aspects, including immunology, physiology and development. The specific function and mechanism of the gut microbiota in birds are distinct due to their body structure, physiological attributes and life history. Data on the gut microbiota of the common kestrel, a second-class protected animal species in China, are currently scarce. With high-throughput sequencing technology, we characterized the bacterial community of the gut from nine fecal samples from a wounded common kestrel by sequencing the V3-V4 region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. Our results showed that Proteobacteria (41.078%), Firmicutes (40.923%) and Actinobacteria (11.191%) were the most predominant phyla. Lactobacillus (20.563%) was the most dominant genus, followed by Escherichia-Shigella (17.588%) and Acinetobacter (5.956%). Our results would offer fundamental data and direction for the wildlife rescue.

Specific DNA mini-barcoding for identification of Gekko gecko and its products

Background The dry body of the Tokay Gecko (Gekko gecko) is the source of a valuable traditional Chinese medicine, it is therefore listed as a Class II protected animal species in China. Due to increasing market demand and a declining supply of the species, a considerable number of adulterants have emerged in the market. Thus, it is necessary to establish an accurate and rapid method of identification for distinguishing G. gecko from its adulterants and for separating it from highly processed products. Methods A total of 274 COI sequences were analyzed by using MEGA 5.0 software. Several specific primers were designed to amplify mini-barcode regions and identify G. gecko from its counterfeits and products. Results 274 COI sequences of G. gecko and 15 adulterants species were analyzed. G. gecko could be distinguished from its adulterants through BLAST analysis, intra- and inter-specific distance analyses, and an NJ tree based on COI sequences. Two pairs of specific primers designed for this study, COISF2/COISR2 and COISF3/COISR3, amplified 200- and 133-bp fragments of the COI region, respectively, both of which were suitable for the identification of G. gecko and its adulterants. Furthermore, COISF3/COISR3 detected G. gecko in 15 batches of products. Conclusion Therefore, the specific DNA mini-barcoding method developed here may be a powerful tool for the identification of G. gecko and counterfeits, and may also be used to distinguish G. gecko from its highly processed by-products.

Pengembangan Ekowisata Sungai Berbasis Masyarakat di Desa Pela Kutai Kartanegara, Kalimantan Timur

The uniqueness of natural biodiversity in East Kalimantan is a great potential to be developed as tourist attraction, especially related to ecotourism. Pesut Mahakam as one of the uniqueness is a kind mammal that lives in the water. Unlike the dolphins and whales, Pesut Mahakam or its Latin name Orcaella brevirostris lives in fresh water found in rivers and lakes in tropical and subtropical regions. In the past, pesut was mostly found along the Mahakam River in East Kalimantan, so that they were determined to be the identical fauna of East Kalimantan. However, its currently population were significanlyt declining so that the Pesut Mahakam is categorized as a protected animal because it is worried that the population will continue to decline. Tourism is recognised as a tool for conserving the existence of protected animal such as Pesut Mahakam. The development of ecotourism in river area, wish to protect the existance of this protected animals and its ecosystem while educating the community through the development of community based tourism. This study aims to identify the potential of tourism resources in Muara Pela area, which is one of roaming and feeding area of Pesut Mahakam and also other natural and cultural potentials that can be holistically developed into community-based ecotourism. This research was conducted using a participatory approach to the community around Muara Pela by assisting the community in the preparation of community-based tourism development programs. Keywords: community based tourism, orcaella brevirostris, ecotourism

Light at the museum – A near impossible result

The monitoring and quantification of the illegal harvest of protected animal products is very vital for the conservation and protection of endangered species. Most of the methods and techniques used in the trade of these products are recognised to be incredibly time consuming and labour intensive requiring significant analyst expertise. In this study, we have demonstrated the potential of near-infrared spectroscopy combined with either principal component analysis or partial least square discriminant analysis regression as a rapid and non-invasive tool to classify horn and ivory samples stored in the Australian Museum, Sydney. This study has also demonstrated the attractiveness of the near-infrared technique as a screening tool that could revolutionise the tracking and identification of contraband materials produced from horn and ivory biomaterials.

Methods for reducing the environmental impact of rock mass excavation

Many engineering projects and interventions have negative effects on the environment. Rock excavation in civil engineering, either in mining or in construction, often is unthinkable without the use of explosive. However, blasting can have extensive adverse environmental impacts, like vibrations, noise, dust and chemical contamination. Therefore, it is better to avoid blasting activities near urban areas, protected animal habitats, sensitive historic buildings, water protection zones, pipelines, etc. While mechanical excavation is often longer lasting and more expensive, in some cases it may adequately replace blasting, where the applicability of mechanical excavation methods greatly dependent on the rock mass characteristics which should excavate. This paper provides practical examples of using existing methods for the assessment of the applicability of excavation technologies. In order to minimize the project impact on the environment, mechanical excavation was applied in some cases. In one case, the blasting could not be avoided, but controlled careful blasting techniques were applied.