Kotok Sanctuary

Brahman kite

Our main goal is to save the Brahman kite. This bird is the official mascot of Jakarta and was found in large numbers. Now the bird has completely disappeared from the area. Only a small population still lives very widely throughout the archipelago. This is due to illegal hunting: people like to keep these birds as cage birds. After they have been seized or rejected by their owners, they will receive a re-education from us. Without rehabilitation, these beautiful species will become extinct.

Relearning how to hunt

On Kotok Island, about 60 raptors learn to hunt for fish again in enclosures between trees and above the sea. If we succeed, we will release them with a GPS tracker. They usually stay nearby until they really fly out. Most of them are able to return to normal life: they find a partner and start nesting. Some birds are no longer able to live on their own, usually because they are permanently mutilated. Together with Thousands Islands National Park, Wildlife Watchdogs built enclosures in the most natural way possible. This way, the birds that stay at least feel at home.

Protecting the coral reef

Our efforts to protect the birds extends beyond the island of Kotok. At Pulau Kotok Besar, a little more to the south, we are working on preserving the coral reef. This is where the perfect environment can be found for the Brahminy kite: a reef in good condition and an abundance of fish.