JUNE 2009 FUN BITS FROM THE FIELD

Kijang (Muntiacus muntjak) and rusa (Cervus unicolor) are two animals protected by law in Indonesia.  They are, however, have been hunted down openly even until now in Sukamara Regency region of Central Kalimantan.

In Sukamara, the hunting of these common animals has been going on for thousands of years.  It is usually done using traditional tools, such as sumpitan (blowpipe) and nylon net, or the more “modern” self-made rifles.  Well trained dogs are also used in the hunting activity.

In the forest, a net is spread out for as long as hundreds of meters.  Then, a couple or more highly-trained dogs are released.  These dogs then go and find the hiding places of the prey.  Once they find the animal, they then chase it towards the net.

One of the locals in Sukamara informed us that the animal most often hunted is kijang because they are very common and easily found in the forested areas.  The meat would then be sold in local markets in Sukamara, but also as far as to Pangkalan Bun.  The hunters make around Rp.20.000,- per kilogram of meat, while the market sellers then continue to sell the meat to buyers for Rp.30.000,- to Rp.35.000,- per kilogram.  Many say that kijang meat texture is smoother than that of cow meat. (FAI)

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Note from Yayorin:

The above story is a common story we come across with while we are working with local communities in Indonesian Borneo.  How can we draw the line between the need of the animal species to live and the need of human beings to make a living?  How can we ask the local people to stop hunting the protected animals, while they have been doing it for centuries, from generations to generations?  It is not easy, and certainly takes time for them to understand that the balance of Nature must be preserved if they wish to sustain their own lives. (ST)