DILI, 20 November 2019 (TATOLI) – The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAP), Joaquim José Gusmão dos Reis Martins, said “many” animals have died in Nino Konis Santana National Park because of a lack of fresh water.
The Minister said MAP does not know exactly how many animals died, but said he’d approached staff in Lospalos for more information.
“This has happened because of the long dry season [and now] there’s no water,” he said.
“We’ve given directions to the district team to collect some water and relocate it in a container there,” he said.
The park was established in 2007 on the eastern tip of Timor-Leste, and covers 1,236 square kilometres. It links important bird areas such as Lore, Mount Paitchau, Lake Ira Lalaro, and Jaco Island.
Wild deer, cuscus possums, monkeys and other animals usually live in the park. But João Antalmo, the National Director of Natural Conservation (DNKN), said there is no evidence to support reports on social media that deer have died on neighbouring Jaco Island this year.
“Last month we registered two deers death because of no water… We provided one tonne of water and will continue to provide the water for the reservation until rainy season.”
“Since we provided the water, until now, we haven’t heard of the death of any animals,” he said.
Rusa timorense deer are native to the islands of Indonesia and Timor-Leste, but the animals have been introduced across Southeast Asia, the South Pacific and Australia. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists rusa timorense as ‘vulnerable’ on its Red List, with an estimated wild population of less than 10,000, and falling.
Minister Martins said for the animals to survive until significant rain falls this year, his department would continue to cart water into the park.
“MAP has constructed two reserve tanks, so next year if there is more budget.. [we’ll] start to fill the water when it reaches September and October start to fill the water,” he said.
He said MAP had allocated $25,000 to supply water to the park until the end of the year.
The DNKN estimates a total of 80 deer and 100 birds living on the uninhabited, 8 square kilometre Jaco Island.
Journalist: Antónia Gusmão, Florencio Miranda
Editor: Maria Auxiliadora; Robert Baird
Translation: Nelia Borges
