PAPUA – In the heart of the Arfak Mountains, West Papua, lives an extremely rare and fascinating little bird, the Arfak Bondol (Erythrura tricolor). With its beautiful colorful plumage and unique mating behavior, the Arfak Bondol has long been of interest to scientists and nature lovers.
However, over time, the Arfak Bondol’s natural habitat has been increasingly threatened by human activities, bringing the species closer to extinction.
The Arfak Bondol bird is a species of finch characterized by bright colors with a combination of red, green, and blue in its plumage. The beauty of this bird contrasts sharply with the dense rainforests of West Papua, making it one of Indonesia’s special natural treasures.
Not only is its appearance stunning, but also its interesting mating behavior where the male will show off its colorful plumage in a distinctive dance to attract females.
However, the beauty of the Arfak Bondol turns out to be a sad story. Ongoing forest destruction in West Papua due to illegal logging and land conversion has caused the bird’s natural habitat to erode.
Uncontrolled deforestation has reduced the bird’s living area, making it difficult for the Arfak Bondol to find food and breeding grounds.
According to researchers, the Arfak Bondol is highly dependent on certain tree species in the forests of Papua. Losing these trees will have a direct impact on the species’ well-being.
In addition, the Arfak’s Bondol also faces the threat of climate change, which is affecting the temperature and weather patterns in its habitat, putting additional pressure on its survival.
“The Arfak Bondol is currently categorized as critically endangered,” said Dr. Andi Lesmana, a tropical bird expert from the University of Papua. “If we don’t take immediate action to protect their habitat, we may not see these birds again in the future,” he added.
Conservation efforts for the Arfak Bondol have begun by various parties, ranging from the local government, environmental organizations, to local communities. These protection programs include routine patrols to prevent illegal logging, as well as education to local residents about the importance of preserving the Arfak Bondol bird and its habitat.
Environmental activists have even formed a group of forest rangers tasked with monitoring Papua’s forest areas to ensure their sustainability.
Indigenous Papuans, who have always lived side by side with nature, also play a major role in the conservation of the Arfak Bondol. They have local wisdom that respects nature, including in protecting the habitat of these rare birds.
