The Diverse Benefits from Masters of the Sky

The conservation of eagles is more than a mere wildlife rescue attempt. When they are flapping skyward, they often bring unexpected benefits to humans.

KOMPAS/TATANG MULYANA SINAGA

A keeper cleans bird cages on Wednesday (20/11/2019) at the Kamojang Hawk Conservation Center (PKEK) in Garut regency, West Java. The PKEK has seven keepers who look after 135 birds of prey.

The noisy squeaks or marmots greeted Ahmad Nursobar, 26, as he reached the house of Jajang Cahyana, 31, in Sukaresmi village, Sukaresmi district, Garut, West Java, on Tuesday (19/11/2019). On that day, Nursobar was scheduled to collect marmots to feed eagles at the Kamojang Eagle Conservation Center (PKEK) in Samarang, Garut.

Nursobar is a volunteer for the PKEK, one of the eagle sanctuaries in Indonesia. Operating since 2014, the center has taken care of 239 eagles. A total of 46 have been released into the wild and 126 others are being cared for. However, 67 dead eagles have been recorded due to injuries and diseases. Every day, the eagles being treated need 80 marmots, which are raised by 70 breeders as partners.