Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), the renowned cultural park, has unveiled its latest addition—a unique bird species officially christened "Myzomela irianawidodoae" after Iriana Jokowi. This remarkable discovery, found to be endemic to Rote Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), is a testament to Indonesia's rich biodiversity.

The bird's name, Myzomela irianawidodoae, is a heartfelt tribute by Prof. Dewi Prawiradiraga, a researcher from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), now the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), in honor of the First Lady. Veterinarian Piter Kombo explained this act of reverence, stating, "This bird is called Myzomela irianawidodoae as a form of respect from one of the BRIN researchers, Prof. Dewi Prawiradiraga, in honor of the First Lady." This heartwarming event took place at the TMII Jagat Satwa Nusantara Bird Park in East Jakarta on Tuesday, August 15, 2023.

The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo (Jokowi), supported this heartfelt tribute through official channels. With approval from the Minister of Environment and Forestry and the Minister of State Secretary, Iriana's name was incorporated into the scientific nomenclature of the newly discovered bird species. A formal letter dated December 17, 2017, with reference number B 1199/M.Sesneg/D-2/HL.01.00/12/2017, solidified this acknowledgment.

Enny Sudarmonowati, Deputy for Biodiversity Sciences at LIPI, shared insights on January 23, 2018, underscoring that this naming was a gesture of appreciation towards the First Lady's dedication to the preservation of avian species. Sudarmonowati remarked, "Her dedication could be an example of environmental preservation."

However, despite its distinction and significance, the small, black-beaked bird faces the pressing threat of extinction due to habitat degradation and the conversion of forest land. The bird's habitat on Rote Island is limited, and the island lacks protected areas for its preservation. Notably, Myzomela irianawidodoae is safeguarded under Law No. 5/1990 and Government Regulation (PP) No. 7/1999, as a listed protected species.

For those intrigued by this remarkable avian discovery, the honeyeater bird Myzomela irianawidodoae can be observed at the TMII Jagat Satwa Nusantara Bird Park. The park welcomes visitors from Monday to Friday (09:00 - 17:00 Jakarta time) and on weekends and national holidays (09:00 - 18:00 Jakarta time). This unique opportunity offers a chance to witness firsthand the diverse and captivating wildlife that calls Indonesia home.