“We are very concerned since a lot of people who tries to love birds in natural habitat wondered if they might be infected,” said Ige Kristianto, the Director of Yayasan Kutilang Indonesia. This anxiety is reasonable since migratory birds are judged as a one of the H5N1 virus carrier.

On the other side, migratory birds are one of the most amazing bird watching objects. Every year, birdwatchers would not miss the opportunity to watch these birds.

Based on the concern, Kutilang initiated a research to prove whether the migratory birds are avian flu virus carriers. The research sites determined are the transit sites of migratory birds in Java Island., especially along the north Java’s shore lines and some on the south. It is the first research conducted in Indonesia.

For Indonesia, this kind of research is very important since Indonesia is passed by thousands of migratory birds. If the migratory birds are indeed virus carriers, a systematic approach will be needed to prevent further spreading of the virus, because Indonesia is a vulnerable area to the spread of Avian flu. In several places, migratory birds is one of the local diet.

According to the conservation point of view, the clarification of this problem is very important to prevent annihilation of migrant birds. Whereas according to Ramsar Convention, all migratory bird species are protected.

“The findings of this research will be very helpful to prevent avian flu pandemic,” said Ige Kristianto. The research is now on its way and the result is still unknown. We sure, we will be succeed if we work on it together. What we have done is just a small part of the bird conservation efforts especially migratory birds.

We expected you or your organization to take a part on this program. Whatever your cooperation would be very beneficial for this program.