12Dec/24

Siberut Wildlife Watch: preserving nature , cuture and sustainable economy

by Arif Setiawan

Bokkoi ( Macaca Siberu)

Siripok bilou, means “friends of the gibbons “ in Siberut language was  swaraOwa initiated in 2016 in as a movement to promote primate watching eco-tourism , has provided experience for the Siberut team, because since then it has also received attention from local and foreign visitors who are interested in seeing Siberut’s endemic primates directly (Gibbons, siberut langur, Siberut Macaque, and Simakobu , critically endangered pigtailed langur), or other animals through observation and adventure activities.

From September October to November 2024 guests come and go to the observation location in Toloulago, South West of Siberut. The Siripok Bilou team led by Ismael, Vincent and Franky organizes each visit.  The guests who come vary according to their respective interests.  These guests usually get information from previous guests, and through Swaraowa’s website and social media. Mammal watching is still the main reference for these guests for observation visits in Mentawai, especially Siberut.

Batek-Asian Water Monitor ( Varanus salvator)

Green Broadbill (Caliptomena viridis)

Asian Fairy- Blue Bird ( Irena puella)

Joja Siberut langur ( Presbytis siberu)

Siberut flysing Squirrel ( Petynomis lugens)

Sipora flying squirrel ( Hylopetes sipora)

The trip reports they write on the website are very useful for marketing as well as biodiversity reports, because they usually write about list of species that they encounter, their locations and visuals or photo or video documentation.

Our field work in 30 August to 4 September, 2024,  we did Tololago wildlife watch  and recorded numerous wildlife such as Siberut macaque, Siberut langur, Siberut flying squirrel, Greed broad bill, Asian Fairy-Blue bird, asian water monitor, the gibbon,  and many more. These new collection upated visual documentary list of Mentawaian wildlife. through this fieldwork we also improving skill of guiding and develop further plan to conserve Tololago forest area.

One of the very popular trip reports is the one written by Mark Spence in 2018, https://www.mammalwatching.com/2019/10/17/new-trip-report-siberut-mentawai-islands/ .He initially got the information through SwaraOwa’s social media, and we helped him prepare the itinerary and technical details of his visit. The Siripok Bilou team arranged the technical aspects of the visit including logistics, local transport and accommodation.

Visits vary in duration, depending on the ship’s schedule, it can be 3 days and two nights, 4 days and 5 nights or 6 days and 7 nights.

Last September the Siripok Bilou team also had guests who initially read Mark Spence’s trip report and then contacted SwaraOwa via email, the target of their visit was mammal species. We actually already have a list of mammals in Toloulago, but the photos or visual documentation is not yet complete. Just based on local names and identification of previous reports, species of rats and squirrels  it doesn’t seem like there are many recent reports from Siberut. I met Ian Thomson and Paul Carter from Canada and England in Padang before going to Siberut, and explained their expectations for their visit to Siberut.

During their 6 days and 7 nights in Toloulago, accompanied by Ismael, Vinsen and Franky, they said in their email that they had great success findings small mammals in Siberut. You can read their trip report here : https://www.pacapix.com/indonesia-siberut/.

Ian Thomson made his own trip report about his trip and can be read here: https://www.mammalwatching.com/community-post/indonesia-siberut-sumatra-and-java-september-2024/

These trip  reports are very meaningful for us to continue to advocate for nature protection in Mentawai, even though it is not yet a tourism priority, special interest tourism like this has potential that is worthy of development. The threat of deforestation and hunting which is home to Siberut’s wildlife still continues. Visits like this have also had a positive impact on residents around the forest especially in Toloulago, lodging businesses, local guides,  and providing meals for guests. Mentawai traditional culture and daily practice will be appreciated by the people from outside.

There are still many things that need to be improved for the management of special interest tourism in Mentawai. Siripok Bilou, which operates independently, needs to receive continued support. A very meaningful form of support is participating in promoting and visiting Siberut directly, by visiting forest activities with guests. who want to see native Mentawai animals, has also influenced residents not to destroy the forest.  Please contact us [email protected] for your wildlife watching adventure to Siberut.

10Dec/24

Asian Primate Symposium 2024, swaraOwa Attendance and North Sumatera Primate Wathching adventure.

By Arif Setiawan

APS 2024 participants

The largest primate enthusiast meeting in Asia was held in Medan on 24-27 November 2024. The 9th  Asian Primate Symposium had the theme “Living harmony with Primates” and the event hosts and organizers were OIC, YEL, USU, FORINA and KIARA.  Panut Hadisiswoyo, chairman of the event at the opening of the Asian primate symposium, reported that almost 300 participants from 20 countries attended and 54% of them were participants from Indonesia, showing the huge potential of our primatologists and their role in primate conservation globally. The event is held every 2 years, this time taking place at the University of North Sumatra, Medan.

There are many benefits to attending a symposium like this, including:

  1. To access specific knowledge, because through the symposium participants get a direct opportunity to find out research results, knowledge ideas on specific topics.
  2. In-dept discussion, in the symposium we will meet directly with the PI (principal investigator), program manager or conservation project leader, so we can ask questions or exchange opinions directly.
  3. Building networks, after we present or other participants present there is an opportunity to interact directly, introduce our projects or conservation activities.
  4. Collaborate: A smaller number of symposium participants can create a better collaborative atmosphere and build closer relationships. Possibility of collaborating with other institutions, or even meeting with donors.
  5. Time commitment as a professional conservation worker, the timeline from registration for abstract collection to presentation, will train us to appreciate time. We are very busy with our activities or programs, but we must also be able to make time to share experiences with others.

swaraowa delegates

SwaraOwa delegated 4 oral presentation titles at the 2024 Asian Primate Symposium :

  1. Preliminary survey: Biodiversity Monitoring by Local Community in Mendolo Village, Lebakbarang District, Pekalongan Regency, by Kurnia Ahmaddin, presented at the symposium on the topic “Community empowerment”, talk about community involvement activities around gibbon habitat for monitoring primates and biodiversity, which aims to increase citizens’ appreciation of biodiversity.
  2. Community conservation for Javan Gibbon through beekeeping program, by Sidiq Harjanto in the symposium topic “community empowerment”, presenting bee cultivation activities to support Javan Gibbon conservation activities.
  3. Siripok Bilou: Mentawai gibbon, culture and natural value, by Arif Setiawan presented in the symposium topic Cultural value of Asian Primates, presenting primate conservation activities in the Mentawai Islands, the result of collaboration with local institutions, Malinggai Uma Mentawai.
  4. Triangulation for Javan Gibbon Density: The Effectiveness of Human Observers vs. Passive Recording, by Nur Aoliya, on the topic Behavior, Spatial, Vocalization, the presentation was delivered by Arif Setiawan because Aoliya could not attend due to illness, is the result of preliminary research on the use of passive recording devices for monitoring gibbons compared to human hearing methods.

MSP alumi at APS 2024

We have great moments  because in this symposium we meet participants that they were joint in annual sokokembang gibbon field course known as  MSP alumni. Its make us proud that we have positive impact in Indonesia primate conservation.

Gibbon Coffee Confrence, Owa coffee and Myanmar gibbon coffee at APS 2024

At this event, Swaowa also displayed a booth, which contained conservation products from our  activities. This event was also part of conservation promotion and fundraising through the sale of souvenirs and merchandise and of course OWA COFFEE presented as an ambassador for Javan Gibbon conservation. What’s interesting about this product exhibition is that it sometimes results in warm discussions apart from in the presentation room, nice atmosphere, with a cup of coffee chatting with other participants feels more intimate, and what’s fun is that at the Kopi Owa booth the products we brought from Jogja have sold out, leaving only 3 Just pack coffee which we then give to other participants who haven’t gotten it yet.

Primate Watching Bukit Lawang

Hylobates lar at Bukit lawang

Presbytis thomasi

Orangutan

After the closing of the symposium, 9 of us from 4 countries chose our own field trip rather than joining a big trip which would visit Oranguntan Heaven. We rented 2 cars, that afternoon went straight to Bukit Lawang, one of the legendary tourist spots for seeing Sumatran orangutans (Pongo abelli) in the wild. The journey was approximately 3 hours from Medan City and there was heavy rain and our car had two tires flats at onc due to hits unseen road hole, making us arrive at the ecolodge in Bukit Lawang at exactly midnight. After getting to our respective rooms and meeting with our guide for tomorrow morning we rested.

At 5.30 I was awakened by the call of the Kedih (Presbytis thomasi), a leaf-eating langur endemic to North Sumatra. His topknot and hair color and style are amazing unique, like a rock star monkey. There were approximately 12 individuals observed around the inn, and they appeared to have habituated with visitors to Bukit Lawang. Also at the same time as the appearance of this kedih was a group of long-tailed monkeys, there were around 15 individuals, and were on the roofs of the accommodation houses, but were not very aggressive when looking at humans passing around them.

After breakfast at 8 am, we started trekking to the hill, accompanied by two guides, the guide was very fluent in English, and explained a little history of Bukit Lawang, which is part of the Leuser National Park, and used to be an orangutan rehabilitation site which was built in 1973. and in 2003 there was a major flood on the Bahorok River, destroying all facilities and causing loss of life. Just a few meters from the accommodation on the hill, we met Tomas’ group again, there were around 8 individuals. Then we continued trekking and saw again from a distance 2 individuals of Sumatran Langur (Trachypithecus cristatus), very different from the Kedih in their hair style, which was thick around the face and towards the face and had no crest. A few meters from the entrance gate to Gunung Leuser National Park, we saw  a white handed gibbon (Hylobates lar) and it turned out he was playing with Kedih.  The color is light brown and there is white around his face. A few moments later a great call was heard, from its mother, only one great call, and it seemed like they were avoiding the tourists who were chasing them to see.

Several guides who came down towards us said there were orangutans in shelter two, and we rushed over, and it turned out that when we arrived there were actually 2 individual orangutans (mother and child) and what was even more surprising was that underneath there were dozens of people looking at them, taking photos with cameras, cellphones, and many are just observing. The distance is quite close, approximately 2-5 meters, even though there is no direct interaction, but it seems too close. There are also around 15 guides accompanying these guests, mostly hanging out with fellow guides. It seems that the job of accompanying guests to see orangutans is very popular here.  For information, the price of this observation trip is IDR 200,000 for domestic tourists and IDR 700,000 for foreign tourists, accommodation IDR 450,000, breakfast is available. After we were satisfied with seeing the orangutans, we went down and then checked out of the accommodation considering that our journey would be very long to Lake Toba.

Siamang Sibanganding

Siamang ( Symphalangus syndactylus) at Sibanganding

Macaca nemestrina

At Lake Toba, Parapat, we visited the Sibanganding Monkey Park. What was surprising in this monkey park was that the primates (Longtailed macaque, Pigtailed macaque and  Siamang)  were very tame, meaning they often interacted with humans, especially visitors and apparently were fed by the guards there. There are around 30 individuals of Beruk – Pigtailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) around this stall and this location is a wildlife tourist attraction but it is quite risky, because it is too intensive and can cause changes in behavior, although this is not friendly to primates , this tourism has at least kept wild animals alive in the nature. There is a family of siamang  (1 juvenile,adult male and adult female ), which was seen in Sibaganding. Conservation assistance and education for managers should be increased by related parties and primate observers in North Sumatra or anyone who cares, so that conservation education can be passed on to visitors who wander through or stop at the Sibanganding monkey park.  The location is very close to Lake Toba tourism, has the potential for tourists already available, and is very interesting if it is also linked to the geological historical tourism of the Toba supervolcano crater, at least making it an option and providing information and alternative tourism to see the wild Siamang of  North Sumatera.

North Sumatera Culinary adventure

Our trip covered approximately 1734 km overland through cities in North Sumatra Province to West Sumatra Province, around Sipirok, South Tapanuli. We were able to see the location of the Tapanuli dam from a distance and the surrounding forests which are the habitat of the Tapanuli Orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis). Not lucky enough not to be able to see it due to the weather for a short time. We had to continue our journey to rest in Bukit Tinggi, and the next day continue our journey to Padang. We notice and tried local culinary of north Sumatera, and it was super amazing experience, Dadieh, Arsik, Naniura taste that never found in our daily life in Java.  We had time to rest in the Lembah Anai , and heard a loud call from Ungko (Hylobates agilis) , and this was the end of the APS 2024 trip. See you again next two years APS that will be in Malaysia.

09Dec/24

Gibbon Camp 2024

by : Nurlita Uswatun Khasanah  and Dinka Aulia Nurul Ikhsan

camp site Welo Asri

Every October 24 is celebrated as World Gibbon Day. This is a reminder of the importance of the existence of this speceis. Its ecological role as a seed disperser in the forest is so important that this animal really needs to be preserved. The Javan gibbon as a primate endemic to Java also has social value as a global identity. Therefore, KP3 Primata collaborated with SwaraOwa every year to organize this Gibbon Camp event as part of the commemoration of World Gibbon Day.

The purpose of this event is 1) to campaign to voice and also disseminate conservation awareness to the public and especially to KP3 Primate members related to Gibbon Conservation. 2) Inform the general public about the existence status of gibbons and their natural habitat.

On 1-3 November 2024, at Welo Asri, 15  participants gathered at the Welo Asri camping ground area, Kayupuring village, Petungkriyono District. The event was opened by the chairman of the WeloAsri pokdarwis, Mas Muhammad Kuswoto, and an introduction to the discussion and introduction to Gibbon conservation in Petungkriyono from Swaraowa by Mas Wawan.

Gibbon camp participants

On November 2, observations were made by walking approximately 2-3 km from Sokokembang to Kroyakan along main forest road, divided into three groups, each group consisting of at least 5 people with a guide from SwaraOwa. Starting from 6.30 to 9.30 we saw 4 individuals of Rekkerjaan (Presbytis fredericae), 14 individuals of Javan Langur (Trachypithecus auratus), and 4 individuals of Long-tailed Monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). In the afternoon and evening due to rainy days observation activities were stopped.

Javan gibbon at Welo Asri

a pair of Javan gibbon

Javan langur with baby

Javan surili (Presbytis fredericae)

gbbon watching

On November 3, observations were made around Welo Asri, and we were very lucky to be able to see Javan Gibbons. We observed 3 groups of gibbons from around Welo Asri, with a total of 9 individuals. Recorded the highest number of individual gibbons observed in approximately 2 hours, in one location.

The complete report on Gibbon Camp activities can be read here, thank you to SwaraOwa and all parties involved. See you at the next Gibbon camp. (translated from original article in bahasa here)

08Dec/24

The 11th Sokokembang Gibbon Field Course (MSP2024)

by : Arif Setiawan

MSP 2024 all participants

On October 23 2024, the Sokokembang gibbon field course  was started, located in the heart of Gibbon Habitat, of  Sokokembang Forest, Petungkriyono, Kab. Pekalongan, Central Java. This course  recognized as   Pelatihan Metode Survey Primata (MSP) nationally is an annual activity organized by Swaraowa in collaboration with the Primate Study Group at Gadjah Mada University, and this year was the 11th field course, since 2013. Goal of this course is to regenerate gibbon researchers ,  conservation enthusiast in Indonesia by introducing basic methods for gibbon population survey and build conservation networking among of them.

Sokokembang gibbon field course this year started by participants selection, was conducted two months before the date, and we received 42 applications from all over Indonesia gibbon region origin : Java, Sumatera and Kalimantan, represent universities, NGOs, and youth community. We have to select from these applications for about 15 to 20 participants berdasarkan their background and motivation letter. All participants selected are covered, transport and accommodation from their home origin to Sokokembang.

We have to thanks this year to Fortwayne Children’s Zoo, Chances For Nature, Ostrava Zoo, and Arcus Foundation and Owa coffee for all support, that make event happened. We have selected 19 participants representing Indonesia gibbon habitat  and active students from Kalimantan, Java and Sumatera.  (University of Palangkaraya, University of National, Bogor Agricultural University, Sebelas maret university, Gadjah Mada University, Brawijawa University, Kuningan University, Jakarta Islamic University, University of Sriwijawa South Soumatera, Raden Fatah Islamic University South Sumatera, Araniry Islamic University Aceh, Hutan Adat Wehea East Kalimantan, and Mentawai Community, Mendolo Youth, a youth farmer community in Pekalongan, Central Java )

field practice

The event is also part of the International gibbon day that celebrated globally  in 24th October, dan The opening of this training was on the evening of October 24, by the committee team and introduction of each participant, distribution of training kits and division of teams for the following day. On 25 October morning at 7 am, participants were in class and received the first material from the resource person, namely Dr. Salmah Widyastuti, introducing vocal count- triangulation a basic method for gibbon survey based on their vocalization and general information about Javan gibbon population and distribution in landscape Dieng especially Pekalongan and Banjarnegara regency. Following this class, Aoliya and Adin from Swaraowa give a talk and introduction on bioacoustics use for gibbon monitoring. Aoliya talk about how we collect data using passive voice recorder and basic analysis for their calls and Adin give a talk about technical set up for passive voice recorders using SM4 bioaccoustic devices.

Class room activities, presentation talk by Sinan PRCF

On October 25 participants started 06.30 collecting data in the field, at 3 listening post that have been established for gibbon monitoring, divided in to three groups and collecting. In this day participants practicing by real situation how to recognize gibbons vocalization, measuring the distance and record their compass bearing for call directions. Started at 6.00 and finished at 10.00 am. Every listening post have 4-5 participants to keep record gibbon vocalization, and 1 experienced swaraowa’s team researcher. While  collecting direct vocal data count, in each listening post SM4 recorder was installed. Base on previous guideline in the class, all  recorders started to call at 06.00 to 10.00 am.

Dr. Salmah Widyastuti course tutor, class room activities

Afternoon activities, started with how Data Analysis conducted based on series of observation, lead by Salmah Widyastuti, guided all participats conducted mapping and population density analysis using classic methos ( Brockelman and Ali, 1993)  and advanced methods ( Vu and Rawson, 2016) . Followed by Aoliya who assist all participants how to anaylise biouacoustic data that collected from passive voice recorder. At evening invited guest lecturer Sinan Serhadli  gibbon conservationist from PRCF Bangladesh gibbon conservation project, give a talk on current gibbon conservation program of Hoolock gibbon ( Hoolock hoolock) in Bangladesh. This talk give different perspectives and insight on current situation of gibbon conservation outside of Indonesia. Before the talk Arif Setiawan founder and director of Swaraowa was presenting history of MSP gibbon field course and swarowa’s conservation project activities.

Nur Aoliya course tutor, introducting bioacoustic devices for gibbon

26 October all participants did the same activities and finished at afternoon, back to the class and doing data analysis both from listening post listening and bioacoustics devices. Discussion and evaluation during two days practice conducted actively involving swaraOwa team and among participants, and followed report write up and writing presentation of their result.

fild practice in the forest

Javan Gibbon, observed during the course

27 October all participants invited to do primate watching in Sokokembang route, using local pickup vehicle, this regular route for monitoring and primate watching. And all participants records all primates in Sokokembang, Javan gibbon, Javan surili, Javan langur and Macaca fascicularis. After these activities all participants back to class and do result presentation and closing ceremonies.

doplak ride for primate watching

We are on behalf of swaraOwa and Primate study group, Gadjah Mada University  thanks to all of all of local organization who support activities the 11th Sokokembang MSP, Perhutani KPH, Kayupuring villages govt and our annual donors Fortwayne Children’s Zoo, Chances For Nature, Ostrava Zoo, and Arcus Foundation and Owa coffee who provide support for all participants, activities for this event. See you again next year the 12th Sokokembang gibbon field course- MSP 2025.

29Oct/24

Agro-forest Mendolo Village, Habitat of the critically endangered Javan Slow Loris

Javan slow loris ( Nycticebus javanicus) .Photo by M Yoga Saputra

Let me introduce myself, Muhammad Yoga Saputra, I am a student of the Forest Management study program at Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta. Through the 2024 SwaraOwa scholarship program, with my colleague Ratna Dwi Setyowati and we got the opportunity to research for a thesis on the Javanese slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus). The Javan slow loris is one of seven species of slow lorises that live and are distributed in Indonesia. Based on the International Union of Conservation of Nature Resources (IUCN) Red List 2021, the Javan slow loris is included in the critically endangered category and is also included in Appendix 1 by Conservation on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

We observed the population, distribution and habitat of the Javan slow loris in Mendolo Forest, Lebakbarang, Pekalongan. Mendolo Forest is located in 4 hamlets, namely Sawahan, Mendolo Kulon, Mendolo Wetan, and Krandegan. Field observations were carried out in the second-fourth week of September 2024. We were accompanied by the Mendolo Village Young Farmers Association (PPM) who always accompanied us in collecting data. During our observations, we found 8 individuals of Javan slow loris in the Mendolo Forest. In the four hamlets in Mendolo Village, only Mendolo Wetan Hamlet did not find the Javan slow loris species. Our observations start at 19.30 – 24.00. We took night observations because the Javan slow loris is a nocturnal animal and when exposed to a flashlight, the eyes of the Javan slow loris emit eye rays which makes it easier to find the Javan loris’s whereabouts compared to daytime observations. We used the line transect method, where the transects were placed in areas where the Javan slow loris was believed to be present.

an individu of Javan Slow loris spotted in Mendolo agro-forest habitat. Photo by M Yoga Saputra

During night observation, we found several species in the Mendolo Forest such as the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), Rekrekran- Javan surili (Presbytis fredericae), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Black Banded Barbet (Megalaima javensis), Sunda scops Owl ( Otus angelinae), and Sunda flying lemur (Galeopterus variegatus). Apart from that, during daytime observations we also found various species such as the Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch), Serpent  eagle (Spilornis cheela), black eagle (Ictinaetus malaiensis), banded kingfisher  (Lacedo pulchella) and Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus).

The Javan slow loris is a semi-solitary animal. This can be seen in our observations where almost all individuals of the Javan slow loris were found alone. However, one of the Javan slow lorises was found with its infant. Observing at night requires precision and patience because sometimes we misidentify when there are eyes light on the tree that there is a Javan slow loris.  However, when you look closely the glow from the eyes can come from civets, squirrels,  or from Sunda flying lemurs. Apart from taking population and distribution data, we also took habitat data for the Javan slow loris in the Mendolo Forest.

Habitat data collection was carried out during the day by creating several plots to identify the habitat of the Javan slow loris in the Mendolo Forest. The habitat of the Javan slow loris in the Mendolo Forest is generally found in stands of coffee  and durian trees. Apart from that, the Javan slow loris can be found on jackfruit trees and trees containing sap, because the Javanese slow loris’ favorite food is the sap produced from twigs, stems, flowers or leaves. As in coffee stands, we saw that young coffee leaf twigs were often eaten by the Javan slow loris

12Oct/24

Camera trap competition: biodiversity inventory of Mendolo Village

by : Kurnia Ahmaddin

givingaway goat for the cameratrap competion winner

The mountainous forests of Pekalongan are one of the remaining biodiversity pockets on the island of Java. However, changes in landuse and forest fragmentation still threaten the sustainability of the animals that live in them (Setiawan et al, 2012). The latest survey regarding forest fragmentation in this area shows the potential for reducing the structure of the main forest blocks into smaller parts (Widyastuti et al, 2023). To reduce the rate of habitat destruction, education and monitoring of wildlife at the community level around forest blocks is needed (Horwich & Lyon, 2007).

We are collaborating with PPM Mendolo, as one of the local communities in this area, taking the initiative to invite Mendolo village residents to recognize and monitor wild animals in their  village. Furthermore, we package these two goals in the form of a biodiversity competition to encourage residents around the forest to document and recognize wildlife. This competition was attended by community representatives from each hamlet in Mendolo Village to install camera traps. Competition activities will be held from 8 August to 18 September 2024 with a total of 25 installation days. At the end of the series of competition events, we gave away goat as an appreciation for participation to all participants.

Longtailed macaque

As a first step in expanding awareness of wildlife to the wider community, this activity received quite a lot of enthusiasm from the community. Within a period of 25 days, 16 camera trap points were recorded which were installed independently by 11 people from representatives from all hamlets. We have provided participants at the start of the competition with how to install and use camera traps and the ‘kobotoolbox’ application for recording spatial information. We calculate points based on daily points obtained from animal pictures. Meanwhile, the value of the animals obtained is that we rank the types of animals based on the level of difficulty of encountering the animals. The more difficult the animal encounter, the greater the points earned.

muntjak deer

Mouse deer

The results of obtaining images of wild animals caught by camera traps were also interesting, they were able to record Rekrekan (Presbytis fredericae), Long-tailed monkey (Macaca fascicularis), Muncak deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), Mouse deer (Tragulus kanchil), Javan porcupine (Hystrix javanica), Javanese Garangan (Urva javanica), 2 species of treeshrew, 1 species of squirrel and 1 species of rat. The hamlets that have the right to win 1st place are Sawahan and Mendolo Kulon hamlets because the points obtained by both hamlets are the same. Meanwhile, the 2nd place winner was Mendolo Kulon hamlet and Kradegan was the 3rd place winner. In appreciation for the 1st winner, we gave 1 goat to each hamlet. We also gave 2 pairs of cockerels to Mendolo Kulon hamlet and 6 pairs of free-range chickens to Kradegan hamlet.

villagers seting up camera trap

camera trap unit

Closing the competition event, we evaluated the camera installation and looked at the resulting images together at the Mendolo village office. The event was opened by the chairman of PPM Mendolo as the organizer’s representative, followed by remarks by Mr. Kaliri as the head of Mendolo Village. In closing, we had a short discussion about the function of wild animals in nature and continued with the distribution of competition prizes. This series of events can be held well with initiatives from the local community and support from the village government. From this small step, we have great hopes that Mendolo village will become one of the wildlife friendly villages in Indonesia, by recognizing the biodiversity around the village, taking inventory means a step protecting the village’s own assets.

Literature cited

Setiawan, A., Nugroho, T. S., Wibisono, Y., Ikawati, V., & Sugardjito, J. (2012). Population density and distribution of javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch) in Central Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas, 13(1), 23–27.https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d130105

Widyastuti, Salmah., Farajallah, Dyah P., Lilik, B. P., Iskandar, Entang. 2023. The Javan Gibbon (Hylobates moloch) Habitat Changes and Fragmentation in the Dieng Mountains, Indonesia. Jurnal Manajemen Hutan Tropika, 29(2), 150-160, August 2023

Horwich, Robert H and Lyon, Jonathan. 2007. Community conservation: practitioners’ answer to critics. FFI: Oryx, 41(3), 376–385

12Aug/24

Beekeeping for the Gibbon Conservation in Central Java, Indonesia

Rohim show his honey harvest

by : Sidiq Harjanto

The arrival of the dry season in the middle of this year brings blessings to the  beekeepers in Mendolo Village, Pekalongan. Since the launch of the “Beekeeping for Gibbon Conservation” program in 2017, Swaraowa has continued to work with the  beekeepers to further optimize the benefits of these tiny stingless bees,  “Klanceng” in javanese. Bee cultivation offers a sustainable economic alternative for communities around the Javan gibbon habitat.

Tarjuki, as a pioneer in the cultivation of Klanceng in Mendolo village, last July harvested dozens of bottles with a capacity of 450 ml. A cheerful smile adorned his face when he shared his story with us. This amount of honey was harvested from boxes of klanceng that he put in several locations in his garden in Mendolo Wetan Hamlet. He is optimistic that this year’s harvest will increase compared to last year’s harvest.

Swaraowa’s assistance for bee cultivation activities

In line with Tarjuki, Yukni Buhan, another farmer, also predicts a more abundant harvest this season.  This young man who lives in Sawahan Hamlet now manages 9 boxes of Heterotrigona itama and around 40 boxes of Tetragonula laeviceps  the two most productive of stingless bee in Javan gibbon habitat. “The first colony I kept was obtained from setting traps using empty boxes,” he recalled while showing a wooden box with small holes filled with tiny bees going in and out.

He has also harvested honey from his itama colonies. On average, one box produces a liter of honey. Meanwhile, he will harvest the boxes of laeviceps, a type of Klanceng with a smaller body size, during the durian flowering season, in the next two or three months. According to his experience, the peaks of the honey season are during the flowering season of Kayu Babi (Crypteronia sp.), then durian flowers, and finally during the flowering season of Kayu Sapi (Pometia pinnata), which is when the rainy season arrives.

Yukni with his klangceng bee hive box

Yukni plans to continue adding to his  Klanceng bee boxes using splitting techniques and setting traps. Asked about the readiness of the environmental carrying capacity at the cultivation location, Yukni was determined to continue planting various plants that could enrich the availability of food for bees, including forest wood.

Farmers not only get ease in harvesting honey obtained from cultivation. Nusri Nurdin, new beekeeper who also works as a wild bee honey harvester, received another blessing. Apart from harvesting Apis dorsata forest bee honey, he also harvests wild Klanceng honey on the side. Among the wild honey harvesters in Mendolo, the man known as Udin is one of the bravest. He did not hesitate to climb tall trees which were considered extreme by his professional colleagues.

The father of two children said that since the proliferation of cultivation carried out by Mendolo residents, it has become easier for him to find wild bee colonies. He suspects that as the number of colonies being maintained continues to increase, the population of bees in nature will also be increasingly maintained. “I have harvested seven colonies of Klanceng this season. “Everything has now been moved into boxes,” he said.

nursery for native trees to regenerate tree source for bees and other wildlife

Seven years ago, conditions were very different. At that time, the harvesters of wild Klanceng bees were still carrying out unsustainable harvesting. They dismantle the nest to get the honey and then just leave it until the colony is destroyed. There are countless bee colonies lost. Of course, we also lose the benefits of bees as pollinating insects.

Through a series of training programs, wild Honey Harvesters are directed to save wild bee colonies  that harvested from the wild. The colonies were transferred into boxes for cultivation. Sustainable methods are also introduced, such as colony breaking techniques, grafting, and installing trap boxes.

Now, no less than 25 Mendolo residents have run a beekeeping business and are enjoying the sweetness of this environmentally friendly business. The number of colonies maintained by each breeder varies. However, the average is no less than 5 boxes. Some even have more than 20 boxes.

Women group activities

If the man and youth tend to cultivate to produce honey, the women’s group in Sawahan Hamlet does something different. Those who call themselves the “Brayan Urip Group” keep bees to optimize pollination services. On a plot of land planted with various vegetables, boxes of cloves of the type Tetragonula laeviceps were placed.

Many studies have concluded that this small sized Klanceng species is effective in helping pollinate vegetable plants such as chilies. “For chili plants that are not fertilized and without intensive care, the results are quite good,” explained Sri Windriyah, who is believed to be the group leader. The harvest from the collective garden is sold at low prices to members for their respective household needs. The profits are set aside as group savings.

Next to the vegetable garden managed by the Brayan Urip Group, a simple nursery can be seen filled with hundreds of polybags containing seeds of various types of plants. The awareness that beekeeping requires a supportive environment, especially the existence of forests, has encouraged the beekeeping community to carry out planting movements. That’s why this nursery was created, as a supplier of seed needs.

Rohim, who is in charge of the nursery in Sawahan, said that this year the nursery he manages will provide at least 700 forest wood seeds such as Kayu Sapi (Pometia pinnata), Kayu Babi (Crypteronia sp), Klepu, Mangosteen and Kayu Salam. Hundreds of seeds are being prepared to be planted during the rainy season.

“Last year, two hundred pangium  seedlings were planted along the river channels in Sawahan Hamlet,” said Rohim. The planting was carried out in a participatory manner. Approximately 20 farmers provided their land for planting. Residents are increasingly motivated to actively plant after experiencing water shortages due to the El-Nino phenomenon last year.

For Swaraowa, involvement in this collaborative planting program is a form of effort to improve the quality of habitat for primates and other wild life. Mendolo Village itself is a habitat for five types of Javanese primates: Javan gibbon, Javan langur, rekrekkan, long-tailed monkey, and Javan slow loris. The conservation activities by opening up space for the community as the main subject has started from this village.

 

31Jul/24

Local contribution to a sustainable coffee supply chain

by : Sidiq Harjanto and Vika Bayu Irianto

Coffee has again become a favorite for farmers this year. Prices have suddenly skyrocketed, especially robusta. At the farmer level, just random coffee can reach Rp. 68,000,-/kg. This price certainly varies by region, some are higher or slightly lower. Last year the highest price per kilogram reached around Rp. 45,000,-. This means that there was an increase of more than 40% and reached an all time high.

women role in coffee supply chain

According to the Nikkei Asia report, the crazy price of robusta in the last two years was triggered by several factors. Extreme weather in the form of increasing temperatures and drought is the first trigger factor. This has caused coffee production from major robusta coffee producing countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia to drop significantly. Farmers only produce a small amount of coffee. In fact, as an adaptation to drought, some farmers choose to switch to other more adaptive commodities.

The second factor, when coffee production decreases, demand actually increases. It is reported that there has been a 20% increase in world coffee consumption. The champion is China, where middle class growth is at an all-time high, achieving a 130% increase in demand. Outside China, coffee producing countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia have also experienced a significant increase in demand.

Coffee is a commodity produced by no less than 12 million farmers in many countries. However, Vietnam and Brazil account for more than half of global coffee exports. According to Bloomberg, this has triggered an intensification of market concentration. Coffee producing countries are reorganizing the distribution or sales map of their products.

Risks hidden behind price increases

Very significant price increases tend to motivate farmers to sell coffee as soon as possible due to concerns about missing out on momentum. The worry is that the quality of the coffee produced will actually decline. First, there is a chance for farmers to harvest their coffee before it is completely ripe, while to get good coffee, you have to start from perfectly ripe fruit. Second, post-harvest processes are no longer a priority. Why process it in ways that require extra effort when the price of casual coffee is already very tempting.

Second, there is the possibility of expanding coffee plantations in the future. Farmers are very likely to be motivated to increase the size of their plantations in the hope of increasing the quantity of their production. If there is an expansion of plantations, the remaining forest land could become increasingly compressed. It is no longer a secret that the expansion of coffee plantations is a serious threat to forest areas in our country.

harvesting season 2024

Local contribution of coffee farmers in Javan Gibbon habitat.

The increase in prices is a blessing in itself for coffee farmers, including coffee farmers from around the Javan gibbon forest habitat in Petungkriyono and Lebakbarang subdistricts. These are the farmers who have long partnered with us in efforts to grow sustainable businesses for communities in villages that support primate habitat. Coffee plants have long been an inseparable part of natural forest areas and agroforestry gardens that support Javan gibbon habitat.

post harvesting coffee workshop

This year, Swaraowa together with Owa Coffee facilitated coffee farmers to improve the quality of their harvest. Several programs have been implemented, including facilitating facilities and infrastructure, increasing processing capacity, and efforts to open new market opportunities. Drying domes were built in three coffee producing villages around the Javan gibbon habitat, namely: Kayupuring, Yosorejo, and Mendolo. The aim of facilitating this drying dome is to ensure that the drying process of coffee beans is more controlled and avoids potential exposure to impurities.

Another program that has been implemented is increasing post-harvest processing capacity for farmers and processors. Before the Arabica harvest season, last March to be precise, we gathered together with coffee processors from Tlogohendro, Yosorejo, and Kayupuring to plan production schemes and share knowledge regarding post-harvest processing, and also agree on matters related to the importance of protecting existing forests and wildlife. . In early June, at the same time as the robusta coffee harvest season began, we organized activities to increase the capacity of coffee farmers in Mendolo, a village that has quite large robusta potential. This activity was attended by 15 farmers of various ages.

solar dryer dome for coffee

We believe that one of the keys to success in ensuring the sustainability of the coffee supply chain is maintaining the roles of the parties involved. A little research we conducted last year concluded that there is a tendency for gender roles to be balanced in the coffee production chain in producing villages. Men and women contribute equally, but in different forms of activity. Let’s say men handle more gardening matters, while women have a big role in post-harvest processes such as drying, sorting and roasting. These roles need to be preserved so that no party is marginalized.

Agroforestry for wildlife-friendly farming practices.

Even though coffee prices are currently high, we must be prepared if price corrections come at any time. Rather than intensifying, it would be better to optimize existing coffee land area. The agroforestry scheme and moreover shade-grown coffee, which combines various commodities in one area, is a strategy that can be taken by farmers. Through agroforestry, farmers produce not just one commodity. For example, one land contains coffee, durian, jengkol, banana plants, etc. Thus, when there is a correction in coffee prices, farmers still have other commodities whose prices may actually increase.

Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch)

At the beginning of this year, Swaraowa also collaborated with the stingless bee keeping community in Mendolo to plant Pucung or kepayang fruit. Pucung is planted in border areas, or as an intercrop in agroforestry gardens. Through this planting, there is the potential for diversification of farmers’ products; and on the other hand, it is hoped that it can improve the quality of habitat for wild animals, especially primates. Mendolo itself is a habitat for five species of primates: Javan gibbon, Javan langur, rekrekkan, long-tailed monkey and Javan slow loris.

22Apr/24

Once planted, never run out of benefits

by Sidiq Harjanto

PPM mendolo team at the native tree nursery

The dry season in 2023, which is marked by the el-nino phenomenon, has an impact on water shortages in various regions. No exception was also felt by the community at our project site Mendolo Village, Lebakbarang District. In Mendolo Wetan Hamlet, the water supply through Pamsimas-Community based watter supply and sanitation program- for household needs is even insufficient. The water source on Mount Pawon is no longer able to irrigate about fifty houses. Fortunately, there are several small springs around the hamlet that still release water.

The people of Sawahan Hamlet, the majority of whom are durian farmers, are forced to fight for water to irrigate durian trees after the flowering season. If not followed by watering, young fruits may fall off without remaining. Some springs that appear in the grooves / tributaries that enter the Vishnu River have shrunk their discharge greatly due to the long drought.

Wisnu River itself is a body of water that divides Mendolo Village and is part of the Sengkarang Watershed. Being the lifeblood of the community, the existence of this river supports daily needs, supplies agricultural needs, and becomes a source of energy through micro hydro power plants.

Pangium tree seedlings

Drought conditions have thickened the determination of the people of Mendolo Village to carry out planting movements in open areas. The forest tree nursery program managed by the Mendolo Young Farmers Association produced around 200 Pangium seedlings (Pangium edule) which began planting since the beginning of this year. This breed was chosen for two main reasons. First, the shoots are excellent at maintaining water management. Most of the springs in Mendolo are sheltered among Pangium giant trees.

The second reason is that the seeds can be used and have economic value. Known as Kepayang fruit , Pangium  the seeds contain cyanide poison. Of course it is very dangerous if consumed directly. However, if processed correctly, the seeds are transformed into delicious preparations. People call it blibar. If fermented further for up to 40 days, kluwak, a typical black cooking spice used for local culinary  of java, such as  brongkos , gudeg, pindang tetel and rawon, used the kluwak for the main spice.

Create a wildlife  corridor

tress corrindor important for gibbons movements

By planting trees, many benefits can be reaped. Maintained water supply, for example. Trees have a function in protecting the soil from erosion and surface runoff, and are able to store water. Sustainable trees and forests are key to adequate water availability. Of course, there are many other benefits from planting trees and maintaining forests for our ecosystem.

Planting trees not only brings benefits to humans. Wildlife also benefits when the trees in the forest are still maintained.  In the context of Mendolo, planting trees is intended to create corridors so that primate populations and various other animals remain interconnected. Swaraowa strongly supports the  rehabilitation program of Vishnu River, considering that this area is also very important for various wildlife, such as: primates, birds, herpetofauna, fish, and many types of insects.

Javan Blue-banded Kingfisher by Siswanto, 2022

Inspired by a long-term community-based conservation program for howler monkeys in Belize (https://www.howlermonkey.org/), we facilitate farmers whose land is managed by rivers and tributaries to regreen their border areas. This boundary zone, as referred to above, will function as corridors that connect animal populations so as to avoid the threat of gene quality decline or genetic drift due to habitat fragmentation or isolation.

Furthermore, the community is expected to be an active part of the primate conservation movement itself. The forest area of Mendolo Village is a habitat for five species of Javan primates: Javan gibbon, Javan langur, rekrekan/ javan surili, long-tailed macaque, and Javan slow loris. With its rich primate species and growing awareness and community participation, the village has the potential to become a pioneer in the community-based primate conservation movement.

In addition to primates, the blue-collared kingfisher (Alcedo euryzona) is another priority species. This bird needs a river habitat shaded by natural forests. Habitat fragmentation and reduced vegetation cover pose serious threats to this species of bird with critically endangered status (CR). Therefore, caring for vegetation on river borders and rehabilitating open areas is a necessity in an effort to preserve this sensitive bird.

Beekeepers leads the movement

The  beekeeper community in Sawahan Hamlet pioneered this planting movement. Of the approximately 20 farmers who gave up their land to be planted, some were stingless bee cultivators. Ecosystem balance is an important issue for beekeepers. That’s where the spirit of planting emerges. Planting trees means providing habitat, feed, and other vital needs for bee survival.

In line with Sawahan residents, the Podo Dadi Forest Farmer Group of Mendolo Wetan Hamlet, most of whose members are also beekeepers and forest honey harvesters, also plans to carry out similar breeding and planting activities. Previously, beekeepers in Mendolo Wetan had identified more than 30 forest tree species that were important in supporting the beekeeping efforts they had pioneered. Some types of forest trees are most favored by bees, including: sarangan, kayu babi, and Ngasari all are local names.

The bee keeping program was initiated by Swaraowa in 2017, aiming to foster sustainable economic alternatives for communities living on the edge of forest areas. Beekeeping is also predicted to be a medium to increase public awareness about the importance of caring for forests. As the dominant pollinating insect, the existence of bee populations is very valuable for the sustainability of the forest ecosystem itself.

05Mar/24

Swaraowa’s participation in the World Wildlife Day celebration event

World Wildlife Day Regional Youth Symposium 24-25 February 2024, Singapore

by Kurnia Ahmaddin and Nur Aoliya

World Wildlife Day (WWD) is a day to celebrate the diversity of wildlife throughout the world and commemorates the first signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) on March 3, 1973. In the framework of this global celebration, the National Parks Board ( NParks) Singapore initiated the World Wildlife Day Regional Symposium event which highlights the wildlife of Southeast Asia. This event was organized by young people (under the age of 35 years) who are members of NParks’ Youth Stewards for Nature program. This annual agenda, which  started in 2022, and this year event was held on 24-25 February 2024 in Singapore. The event was attended by more than 300 participants, consisting of young people from the Southeast Asia region who were interested or currently studying and even involved in nature and wildlife conservation. Participants are also representatives from regional ASEAN member countries who were invited by the organizers. More than 10 conservation institutions from Indonesia were invited to take part in this symposium, including us two delegates representing Swaraowa.

The global theme of WWD 2024 is “Connecting People and Planet: Exploring Digital Innovation in Wildlife Conservation”. In accordance with this theme, this event has five main objectives, namely: 1) Building a conservation network for the younger generation in Southeast Asia. 2) Connecting young people with mentors in the field of wildlife conservation. 3) Increase international awareness of innovative conservation practices in Southeast Asia. 4) Highlight new digital solutions for monitoring and protecting wildlife. 5) Encourage environmental management and nature protection for the future. The event consists of seminars from experts working in the field of nature and wildlife conservation, focus group discussions, workshops and youth show cases.

The event on the first day began with an opening speech by the Ministry for National Development Singapore, Mr. Desmond Lee. The second speech was delivered by Dr. Sonja Luz who is the CEO of Mandai Nature and closed with a message delivered by Ms. Ivonne Higuero as Secretary General of CITES through a video specially made to open this event. The event continued with the first seminar session on biodiversity conservation assisted by technology. The first speaker was Mr Nguyen Van Thai from Vietnam who delivered a presentation on the use of camera traps, drones, SMART patrols and GPS trackers for wildlife monitoring patrols and poaching in Vietnam. The outline of the presentation is the use of camera traps equipped with signal amplifiers to monitor hunting in ‘real time’. He further talked about using a GPS tracker  to find whereabouts of pangolins, the tracker antenna was attached to the drone so that the search range was wider and faster than manual tracking relying only on humans.

The next speaker is Mr. Malcom Soh from the National Park Board Singapore presented on collecting data on wild animals and plants using camera traps and passive recording devices as well as efforts to prevent conflicts between humans and wild animals. The third speaker was Anton L. Delgado from the Pulitzer Center Cambodia. The big point in his presentation was the importance of using social media by young people in reporting or reporting on wildlife trade crimes in Cambodia. After lunch Ms Trang Nguyen from WildAct Vietnam and Ms. Reaksmey Luy from CEPA Cambodia talked about the importance of education and the role of women in protecting wildlife in their country. In closing the seminar session, Mr Alex Waisimon from Isyo Hill’s Eco-Tourism Papua Indonesia told us participants to balance the relationship between humans and wildlife. He talked about the process of changing bird hunters to become active bird watching tour guides in Papua.

Closing the first day of the event, all participants took part in a focus group discussion facilitated by youth biodiversity leaders from throughout ASEAN. The participants were divided into small groups of 10-12 people/groups and given certain scenarios where each person in the group had their respective roles as stakeholders. From this activity participants learned about the challenges and opportunities in involving stakeholders for biodiversity conservation.

On the second day, participants were free to choose which workshops were held, of which 10 workshops were available from institutions in Sigapura. Some of the workshops include a visit to Mandai Nature to see ex-situ bird conservation and find out how technology is used in the Singapore Zoo. Participants who are interested in coral reef conservation can also visit the workshop at the St John’s Island National Marine Laboratory (SJINML). Participants who are more interested in campaign activities can take part in workshops at the ArtScience Museum, WWF-Singapore Workshop, Global Youth Biodiversity Network Southeast Asia, and Nature Storytelling Workshop. We chose to take part in the Ethnobotany Workshop: Connecting People, Plants and Culture at the Singapore Botanic Gardens and the LKCNHM Workshop: Revealing Conservation Narratives through Taxonomy at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM).

The final event closed with a youth show case which was a presentation of conservation projects initiated by youth in the ASEAN region. The project appearance was in the form of a poster presentation and Indonesia presented two projects, namely from Nusa Biodiversitas Indonesia and PROGRES Sulawesi which presented community assistance activities in Lombok and Sulawesi. We also watched poster presenters from other countries such as Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. The event closed with a group photo of all participants who took part in the series of events.

We feel very fortunate to be part of this youth Symposium. This is because we gain new knowledge conveyed by seminar presenters and workshop facilitators, we can also increase our network of friends in Southeast Asia. The large number of young participants who attended was a glimmer of hope regarding regeneration and building a network for  biodiversity conservation in Southeast Asia.