Binerean Beach is part of Tanjung Binerean in Pinolosian, North Sulawesi. It is located about 300 km South from Manado and 100 km from the WCS managed Tambun Nesting Ground in the Bogani nani Wartabone National Park. The geographical coordinates are 0°24'6.32"N; 124°16'32.53"E. It is made of 2.7 km white sandy beach,  a pleasant water for swimming, snorkling, and deep fishing with water temperature never goes below 25 Celcius degree.

The forested area is only about 100 ha but it is an important coridor for the maleos to reach the more masive forests further inland, and maybe even 12 km further to join the inland maleo populations in the Bogani Nani Wartabone National Park. It is unclear whether or not the two populations are mixed. It is open for study and the results may substantially change the way we manage the maleos. The maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) is a bird species that belong to the Megapode familily. They are protected by  the law.

Rapid assessment from locals tells us that the Binerean Cape and the surrounding areas hold many charismatic mammals of Sulawesi, three species of sea turtles, crocodiles, and plenty of sea, wetland, and forest bird species. It opens all opportunity to do biodiversity and conservation research or studies.

The coconut plantations are owned by villagers from Mataindo. The Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Indonesia Program is building a simple research station in the plantation near the maleo nesting ground. It is an advantage to the conservation work that the land is isolated, no road connection. To walk to cape from Mataindo requires crossing creeks and a big river.

The most active maleo nesting ground is located at the end of Binerean Cape, the most further point from the village. The maleos, however, may nests along the 2.7 km beach and even further. There are about a dozen of active nesting pits in Tanjung Lagamuru, 2 km further east from Binerean Cape.

With a proper management, the cape may become an important sanctuary for maleo and conservation education center. A pleasant beach and maleo sighting is very attractive. The next crucial step to do is to develop an adaptable ecotourism scheme.

Neighbouring to the Binerean landscape there is a plantation company called Kahuripan Kawanua Pantera (KKP) that manages about 3000 ha of cloves and vanilla next to the Binerean Cape. KKP should be aware of the biological significant of the area and developing programs that are friendly to the their surroundings.

In the moment, WCS has set a monitoring program in Binerean. HOBO digital data loggers were set to monitor the year-round air and soil temperature and humidity in one hour interval. A grid system was adopted to monitor nesting behaviour and egg pits. Local guardian were trained to protect the area and to monitor adult maleo visit, eggs laid, and hatchlings in a daily basis. The guardianship was started on November 1^st and up until December 31^st there were 43 eggs found which other wise would end up in frying pans. As many as 90 pairs of maleos have been in sight. Assuming that the maleos lay eggs in a two month interval (a low limit) then at least there are 90 pairs of maleos that build nests in Binerean. It is a stunning figure!

Binerean is a potential site to save the beach nesting maleo population. It is also potential place to develop conservation awareness program using maleo as a flag species.

PDF formated document is avaliable here