Protected Crested Serpent Eagle Rescued from Net in Malang

Malang, East Java – A crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela bido), a protected raptor species, was found entangled in a net along the Southern Cross Route (JLS) in Sindurejo Village, Gedangan District, Malang Regency, on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Source: suarajatimpost

Local resident Senimin discovered the bird trapped around 12:00 PM WIB while passing through the area. Noticing its weakened state and struggle to break free, Senimin promptly took the eagle to safety and contacted the Gedangan Police Station for assistance.

Gedangan Police Chief AKP Slamet Subagyo confirmed that authorities responded swiftly, coordinating with the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) for an official handover. “The eagle was in good health. We transferred it to BBKSDA in accordance with biodiversity conservation regulations,” Slamet stated on Monday, June 16, 2025.

The handover took place at Gedangan Police Station, where Agus Wanto, a BBKSDA conservation officer, received the eagle for further observation and rehabilitation.

Separately, Malang Police Public Relations Head AKP Bambang Subinajar praised the incident as a model of community-law enforcement collaboration in wildlife preservation. “The crested serpent eagle plays a vital role in controlling snake and rodent populations, making it essential for ecosystem balance,” he said.

The crested serpent eagle, part of the Accipitridae family, is identifiable by its short crest, striking yellow facial skin, and distinctive call. Commonly found in Java and Bali, the species is protected under Indonesia’s Ministerial Regulation No. P.106 of 2018.

Bambang urged the public to refrain from capturing, keeping, or trading protected wildlife and encouraged reporting similar incidents for professional handling. “This level of community awareness deserves appreciation. The more people care, the stronger and more sustainable our environmental conservation efforts will be,” he concluded.

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