January 20, 2026 | 08:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A sharp decline in the population of the Javan Hawk-Eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi), Indonesia’s national bird, could disrupt forest ecosystems across Java, according to a biologist from Gadjah Mada University (UGM).
Donan Satria Yudha, a lecturer at UGM’s Faculty of Biology, warned that the species’ near-extinction status threatens not only biodiversity but also the overall health and balance of Java’s forest ecosystems.
“The Javan Hawk-Eagle is nearing extinction mainly because it is losing its highly specific natural habitat,” Donan said in a written statement on Monday, January 19, 2026.
Endemic to the island of Java, the Javan Hawk-Eagle is now classified as critically endangered. Current estimates suggest that only around 511 breeding pairs—fewer than 1,000 individuals—remain in the wild, scattered across 74 fragmented forest areas.
Habitat degradation, driven largely by deforestation and land conversion, has significantly reduced the bird’s living space. At the same time, illegal wildlife trade continues to pose a serious threat to its survival.
The Role of a Top Predator
Donan explained that the Javan Hawk-Eagle plays a vital ecological role as a top predator. It helps regulate animal populations within the forest, ensuring balance among species.
The bird can survive only in tropical rainforests with complex vegetation structures and tall, mature trees. Such environments are typically found in mountainous or hilly regions with steep terrain and sufficient prey availability.
“These forests are not easily replaced once they are destroyed,” Donan said, emphasizing that the eagle’s dependence on specific habitats makes it particularly vulnerable to environmental change.
What Happens If the Eagle Disappears?
According to Donan, the loss of the Javan Hawk-Eagle would have cascading effects throughout the ecosystem. Without a natural predator, populations of prey animals such as squirrels and treeshrews could increase uncontrollably.
This population surge could accelerate the depletion of fruits and seeds before plants have time to regenerate. Over time, this would reduce food availability for other species, including birds, and further weaken forest regeneration.
The Javan Hawk-Eagle also preys on a wide range of animals, including mice, monkeys, and reptiles, making it a key regulator within the forest food chain.
Donan stressed that conserving the Javan Hawk-Eagle also means protecting the broader ecosystem it inhabits. Efforts to save the species naturally support the conservation of other animals and plants within the same ecological zone.
To reverse the population decline, he urged the government to strengthen habitat protection, covering nesting sites, hunting grounds, and foraging areas. He also called for the expansion of existing conservation zones and the establishment of new protected areas.
The Role of Government and Communities
Donan highlighted the importance of public involvement in conservation efforts. He said communities play a frontline role in protecting wildlife, particularly through preventing hunting and illegal trade.
“Strict enforcement of hunting bans, combined with public education, rehabilitation, and release programs, must go hand in hand,” he said.
Without decisive action, he warned, the disappearance of the Javan Hawk-Eagle would mark not just the loss of a national symbol, but a serious blow to the ecological balance of Java’s forests.
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