How you can help conserve

Indonesia's endangered species

LENA MORAL WALDMEIER
RECENT GRADUATE
Jakarta | Sat, December 1, 2018 | 08:30 am

Indonesia’s diverse range of fauna is unparalleled across the world. However,

through habitat destruction and illegal poaching, the very real threat of
extinction is increasing day by day.

There are individuals who dedicate their lives to the protection of these animals
and their homes, nevertheless, they need the support of the society that
surrounds them, particularly from the younger members of this community.

We are one of the most informed generations to have inhabited the planet, with
access to encyclopedias on our phones. While online activism has shared a
wealth of information, this knowledge is meaningless without consequential
action.

As individuals, we can't make strides toward addressing every single one of the
global issues that we face, however we can endeavor to make significant change
rather than simply sharing a post or a picture.

These organizations are at the forefront of conservation efforts across Indonesia

and offer a glimpse into the impressive work being done through local
initiatives and global campaigns.

Save Indonesian Endangered Species (SEIS)

SEIS works as a conduit between international donors and local initiatives,

supporting conservation projects that are led by the community, which are
ultimately more sustainable, accountable and transparent.

One of its main projects takes place in the Way Kambas National Park
where it operates exclusively with Aliansi Lester Rimba Reread (ALeRT), an
organization made up of park rangers, elephant carers, villagers and tourist
guides.

The organization restores and protects the rainforest and wetlands in the area as
well as executes rescue operations and provides various forms of welfare for
wildlife. The project is highly focused on working with elephants and the
development of ecotourism, allowing for a symbiotic relationship between
humans and the wildlife in the region.

Another project the organization is working on supports Orangutan Green in the

Tanjung Putting National Park, Central Kalimantan, raising funds to protect the
land and its inhabitants, from industries such as palm oil.

Donations to SEIS can be made directly through its website. The

organization also offer tours in an effort to develop ecotourism in the region,
which are highly informative and raise awareness of these issues.

Gili Shark Conservation

Indonesia has one of the largest shark fishing problems in the world, and a
number of these marine creatures face possible extinction if proper research and
conservation work is not put in place.

Gili Shark Conservation primarily focuses on research and the collection of data
from within the Gili Matra Marine Recreational Reserve in order to provide the
information necessary for authorities to make appropriate changes in efforts to
protect the zones. It is currently endeavoring to prove that the reefs surrounding
Gili Trawangan are in fact a nursery area for white tip reef sharks, thereby
conferring increased importance and requiring that their habitat is protected.

The organization hosts volunteers from all over the world for a minimum of two
weeks in which people learn to dive and get the relevant training in research
methods.

The organization is also heavily invested in a project called “Plastic Free

Paradise” whereby it hosts beach clean-ups, up-cycling workshops, dives
against debris and offer plastic free training courses for local business as well as
hosts conservation classes for elementary schools. The goal is not only to
reduce the amount of plastic individuals use but also to make a real change in
the way future generations regard their role and duty toward environmental
sustainability.

Yayasan Konservasi RASIA

The mahakam river dolphin is critically endangered with the latest research
suggesting that the current population is around 80 dolphins. While these
creatures are admired by local populations, their biggest threat is gill net
entanglement.
The organization is in the process of setting up protected areas in order to not
only sustain dolphin conservation but also local fisheries. Some 26 villages are
a part of this area and must agree to participate in the conservation efforts in
order to create different zones for sustainable fishing practices, ecotourism and
restoration and conservation programs.

The organization also conducts coastal research on marine animals as well as

various initiatives in order to raise awareness in schools across Indonesia.
Therefore, donations are always appreciated in order to invest in acoustic
deterrents to save dolphins from gill net entanglement and improve ecotourism
programs. Volunteers are also welcomed to contact the organization by
specifying their areas of expertise.

Currently, the conservation of these animals, as is the case with many others, is
being hampered by large-scale economic priorities for national benefit that have
negative impacts on their habitat and overlook the importance of small-scale
economic opportunities that may be more beneficial to local communities as
well as the surrounding wildlife. Habitat protection is a priority, however, it
requires community support in order to make it a reality.

Rhino Foundation of Indonesia (YABI) and the International Rhino

Foundation

Their partnership has existed for over 33 years, focusing on rhino protection,
conservation and captive breeding across three national parks. In Java, the
Rhino Protection Units (RPUs) patrol the Ujung Kulon National Park to work
on antipoaching efforts that include monitoring threatened wildlife, deactivating
traps and apprehending illegal poachers. These efforts are meant to prevent the
extinction of the Javan rhino as well as protect other threatened species in the
area through habitat protection.

Similar work is being done to protect rhino’s in Sumatra through the

conservation program in the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas
National Park. Both these species of rhino are unique to Indonesia and while the
rest of the world is largely unaware of their existence, they are facing the very
real threat of extinction. Therefore, raising awareness as well as
providing donations to the organization is always greatly appreciated.

Indonesia is home to a rich diversity of species, ranking number one with

regards to mammalian biodiversity. However, if more support is not provided to
the local initiatives set up to protect these animals, this may no longer be the
case.
Forum HarimauKita

Due to poaching and habitat loss the population of Sumatran tiger’s is currently
less than 600 individuals. Sweeping areas for snares and combating the illegal
wildlife trade remains a top priority for this organization, however, influential
legislation must be implemented to put an end to these practices.

While it has a growing of base of volunteers, the organization sees the urgency
for collaboration between local communities, rangers and the government
toward sustainable utilization of forests and effective deterrents for individuals
setting up traps.

One of the most effective forms of contribution is reporting anyone trading in

tiger parts in the field or over the internet, as law enforcement is able to take
action in such cases. As a society, we need to put more pressure on the relevant
authorities to campaign against the illegal wildlife trade. As a result, the
organization has started a volunteering community called Tiger Heart where any
passionate individual can contribute to the cause including donations for snare
sweeping or raising awareness.

There are a number of indications that highlight the importance of the tiger to
the people of Aceh, West Sumatra and North Sumatra, however, the previously
positive relationships that communities had with these creatures have begun to
fade in the modern world.