Category Archives: Blog Post

31Dec/25

Gibbon Tourism: Integrating Conservation and the Village Economy

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gibbon spotting, gibboning in Sokokembang

by Arif Setiawan

Behind the Mendolo and Sokokembang forests, the echo of gibbons is not just a call of nature, but a golden opportunity for conservation and community well-being. Since 2023, swaraOwa, through Primate and Aves Tour- https://www.primavestour.com/ , has pioneered a new special interest tourism path: wildlife observation, led by Imam Taufiqurrahman, an ornithologist who bridges the world of science with the travel experience. Imam, through primavest, has also opened an unprecedented wildlife observation tour route in Central Java.

A series of meetings with the Mendolo community were held in March 2025 and April 2025 to support the protection of wildlife and their habitats at the local level. These meetings resulted in a village-level agreement to protect primates, birds, river fish, and the village forest. The swaraOwa team also built the capacity of local guides through monthly monitoring activities (read here for last year 2024 workshop series in Kayupuring and in Mendolo) This activity also trained guides to map observation routes and honed their interpretation and narrative skills, which they would later share with visitors. In 2025, Primavestour and SwaraOwa hosted 15 gibbon-watching tour packages, including a total of 66 people. All came from abroad (Belgium, Germany, and Spain). Two groups (12 people) were also hosted by domestic visitors through other local tour operators.

More than just a trip, wildlife tourism reduces poaching practices because communities view wildlife as valuable living assets. It also generates new, previously unavailable sources of income, from guide services and homestays to local culinary delights. The presence of tourists fosters hospitality services in villages, strengthening residents’ skills in welcoming guests to international standards.

Most importantly, this activity fosters a positive appreciation for biodiversity among forest dwellers. Animals once considered commonplace are now seen as a source of village pride, a symbol of identity, and a source of future prosperity.

This special interest tourism potential is highly feasible, but management improvements are still needed, working with local governments and forestry stakeholders. However, at least the primary local guides to guide tourists are already in place. In addition to publications through tourism exhibitions, trip reports in international wildlife watch magazines, such as mammalwatching.com, are significantly helpful in promoting and marketing this special interest tourism. https://www.mammalwatching.com/community-post/javan-primate-weekend/

31Dec/25

Sokokembang Gibbon Conservation Education Center: A Bridge of Knowledge, Culture, and Action

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swraowa conservation education center

by Arif Setiawan

In the heart of Sokokembang Forest, Petungkriyono, complementing the educational facilities that had already been established, a new building now stands as a symbol of hope—especially for the Swaraowa team—to continue amplifying the voices of conservation in this region of extraordinary biodiversity.
The Gibbon Conservation Education Center was constructed between June and December 2025, thoughtfully designed by local architects from Yogyakarta, Ms. Puspita Agus and her husband Mr. Faiz Rizka Alimy, who deeply understood the cultural and ecological context of the area. Equally important were the local builders—stone masons and carpenters—who translated the architectural drawings into reality. Their innovations included replacing the planned red brick walls with cut red roof tiles, a solution that was more cost-efficient yet aesthetically pleasing. The floors were made from irregularly arranged natural stone framed neatly, enhancing the natural feel. The ceiling was crafted from woven bamboo, adding a traditional touch.

gibbon watch at veranda of education center

More Than a Physical Space
This building is not merely a physical structure, but a vessel for:
• Conservation Education: Introducing communities and visitors to the importance of protecting the Javan gibbon and the forest ecosystem.
• Community Empowerment: Providing meeting spaces, training facilities, and opportunities for conservation-based creative economies.
• Research: Supporting researchers, especially young scholars and local university students, in studying ecology, biodiversity, forest systems, social dynamics, and conservation strategies.

Originally, the house served as a kitchen and dining area for guests and training participants in Sokokembang. However, its condition became unsuitable, prompting a redesign to improve comfort and better support future activities.

Design Inspired by Local Culture
The building measures 12 x 9 meters, with a concept centered on kitchens and dining spaces as places for gathering, socializing, and interaction. It features two kitchens: one traditional wood-fired kitchen reflecting Petungkriyono’s atmosphere, and one modern kitchen. A coffee roasting machine and display shelves for Owa Coffee packaging were also included. This concept was inspired by the mountain community culture of Petungkriyono, where kitchens are central to family and neighborly gatherings (locally known as ngendong—visiting and socializing). In such spaces, conversations flow freely, ideas emerge spontaneously, and bonds are strengthened while surrounded by the lush forest.

murall at the wall of the center

Visual Education Through Art
Inside, the walls are adorned with murals depicting native wildlife of Petungkriyono: the Javan gibbon as the icon, Javan langur, blue-banded kingfisher, bees, wild boar, leopard, and more. These works were created by mural artist Mr. Agil from Mesoyi Village, Talun District, near the gibbon’s habitat.

A Growing Center of Activity
By the end of 2025, several events had already utilized the facility. For example, 21 participants of a gibbon survey methods training used the dining and interaction spaces, as well as the gibbon observation terrace. Other organizations have also held events here. The center follows a “growing” concept, meaning it can be expanded as needed. Currently, classrooms and multimedia facilities support teaching and learning activities. A traditional wooden limasan house in the northern section, called Omah Owa Lor, serves as an indoor lecture space and provides two guest rooms (capacity of five people each) and two bathrooms for speakers and visitors.

Integrating Nature and Daily Life
The site also includes a garden area for native flora collections, tree nurseries, and food crops such as chili, vegetables, cassava, and fish ponds that cultivate local river species from Sokokembang.

A Symbol of Collaboration
The Sokokembang Javan Gibbon Co

nservation Education Center is a bridge between science, culture, and real action. It is a space where local communities, researchers, and visitors can meet, learn, and collaborate for the sustainable future of Petungkriyono’s forests.
Special thanks go to Fort Wayne Zoo, whose support made the construction of this conservation education facility possible.

Translated from original article in bahasa here : https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2025/12/pusat-edukasi-konservasi-owasokokembang.html 

29Dec/25

Mendolo Food Week 2025: Weaving Food, Art, and Conservation for the Future of the Forest

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women prepared food in Mendolo food week

by Sidiq Harjanto

The Mendolo Food Week 2025 became a vital moment for the people of Mendolo Village to weave together traditions of food, art, and conservation. Long before the event, women from the Brayanurip Women Farmers Group had prepared keluwek from pucung seeds, while young members of the Mendolo Youth Farmers Association practiced dances with their younger siblings. For days, villagers gathered forest vegetables and mushrooms, decorated the stage with natural materials, and curated menus based on forest produce—showing how food, culture, and nature are deeply connected.

Jingkrak Sundang dance

food prepared from the forest

More than just a food festival, Food Week served as a conservation hub under the theme “Food and Ecosystem Connectivity.” Collaboration between SwaraOwa, the village government, and local communities has fostered sustainable economic programs such as shade-grown coffee, stingless bee honey, and gadung flour, alongside conservation efforts like tree planting for forest corridors. The highlight was the launch of the “Titian Lestari” program, which carries three missions: building habitat corridors for the Javan gibbon, educating youth about forests and wildlife, and empowering women in forest management.

branyan urip dancers

Art played an integral role in strengthening the conservation message. Children’s performances such as Gaculan Bocah and Jingkrak Sundang brought joy while also evoking empathy for wildlife losing their habitats. Combined with 31 forest-based dishes served to guests, Mendolo Food Week 2025 affirmed that food traditions, artistic expression, and conservation are inseparable—an enduring collective effort to safeguard forests, wildlife, and the future of generations to come.

This aricle translated from original article published in bahasa : https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2025/12/pekan-pangan-mendolo-2025-pangan-dan.html

 

29Dec/25

Daily Climate Characteristics of Sokokembang Forest 2025: Hydrological and Ecological Implications

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by : Arif Setiawan
Notes based on weather monitoring equipment installed at the Owajawa SwaraOwa-Sokokembang education and conservation center, January 1, 2025-December 29, 2025.
[disclaimer: there are days when the device does not record data due to the power source being turned off from the device]

Throughout 2025, the Sokokembang forest experienced weather dynamics typical of humid tropical regions. Air temperatures ranged from 21°C to 31°C, with a heat index often higher than the actual temperature, indicating high humidity. This condition makes the air feel hotter, especially as humidity slows the evaporation of sweat. For forest animals and plants, this humidity requires further study to determine its impact. The Swaraowa team’s research on gibbons (gibbons) found a correlation between air humidity and the vocalizing behavior of Javan gibbons.

Rainfall shows an uneven pattern. Most days of the year are recorded without rain, indicating a long dry period. However, heavy rainfall does come in short, intense bursts. The highest rainfall peak occurred on December 2, reaching 63 mm in a single day—a crucial event that moistens the soil, fills rivers, and refreshes entire forest layers. In January, rain begins to return slowly after twenty dry days, with light to moderate intensity, peaking at around 14.4 mm before tapering off.

Rainfall records during the Petungkriyono landslide disaster on January 20, 2025
Several days before and after the landslide and during the landslide, electricity in Sokokembang often went out, so the equipment could not record daily climate data in Sokokembang.

Hydrological Implications
Increased runoff : Dry, hard soil has difficulty absorbing water quickly. Heavy rain in a short period tends to run off directly onto the surface, increasing the risk of local flooding or erosion.
Limited infiltration: Rainwater does not have time to seep into the ground, so groundwater reserves do not increase optimally.
River discharge fluctuations: Rivers can suddenly overflow during heavy rain, then recede quickly after the rain stops. The characteristics of rivers in the Petungkriyono Mountains: heavy rain in the upper reaches, while there is no rain in the middle and lower reaches/downstream, can cause unexpected flooding downstream.

Ecological Implications

Vegetation stress: Prolonged dry periods cause plants to experience water deficits. Sudden heavy rains don’t always immediately reverse the situation because roots need time to absorb the water.
Animal habitats: Arboreal animals (e.g. gibbons) may experience changes in activity patterns.
Forest productivity: Rainfall surges can encourage the growth of fungi, mosses, and understory plants, but also increase the risk of plant diseases due to sudden moisture surges.

Social & Conservation Implications
Landslide risk: Slopes that are dry and then suddenly saturated with water are more susceptible to landslides.
Community water availability: Long dry periods can reduce clean water supplies, while short periods of heavy rainfall are not enough to replenish reserves.
Flood and heavy rain warnings in the upper reaches of the river (around Petungkriyono sub-district), which are forwarded to villages along the river and downstream of the river which originates in Petungkriyono.
Conservation planning: This data is important for managing field activities, such as avoiding surveys during periods of potential extreme rainfall, or preparing community adaptation strategies for uneven climate patterns.

???? In short : prolonged dry periods weaken the soil’s and ecosystem’s absorption capacity, so sudden heavy rainfall causes more surface runoff than soil fertilization. The impacts can include local flooding, erosion, and disruption to the forest’s ecological cycle.

translated from original article here : https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2025/12/karakteristik-iklim-harian-sokokembang.html

 

28Dec/25

Why is it Important to Count the Mentawai Bilou Population?

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Bilou, the mentawai Gibbon observed in Saguruju customary forest

By: Arif Setiawan, Aloysius Yoyok, Nur Aoliya, Kurnia Latifiana, Kurnia Ahmaddin,

The bilou, the endemic gibbon of the Mentawai Islands ( Hylobates klosii ), is unlike any other animal. It is part of the Mentawai people’s story. Its early morning call signifies the forest’s survival. Mentawaians believe that if a bilou calls in the early morning, it signals a bad omen, such as a death or an impending disaster. If the call is gone, where will we learn about these natural omens? If we know how many bilou are left, we can ensure the forest remains healthy, as bilou help disperse tree seeds and maintain the balance of nature.

If we don’t count the population, we don’t know whether the bilou are dwindling or whether they are still safe. Population is the number of individuals occupying a specific area of ​​habitat. It’s like counting the number of children in a village: if there are fewer, we worry about the village’s future being deserted. The same is true for bilou—if their population declines, it’s a sign that our forests are ailing.

What are the Benefits for us:

– Know the condition of the forest: lots of bilou = healthy forest.

– Preserving cultural heritage: bilou is part of Mentawai identity.

– Attracting global attention: population data can help gain support for protecting forests.

– Ensuring the future: our children and grandchildren can still hear the sound of the bilou in the forest.

So, counting the bilou population isn’t just about numbers. It’s how we protect our shared home, ensure the forest remains alive, and preserve the Mentawai story.

Location map of the bilou survey  on triangulastion set locations

The Siripok Bilou team, formed in early 2025, successfully conducted a survey to estimate the number of bilou in selected areas on Siberut. We surveyed nine customary forest areas based on recommendations from the local Citra Mandiri Foundation. Using the vocal count-triangulation survey method, the survey was conducted based on bilou sounds. Observers conducted the survey using a triangulation system (three observation points in different locations, with a distance of 300-500 meters between them). These three points were then repeated for four consecutive days to listen and estimate the distance. The assumption was that the same group would vocalize at the same location for four consecutive days.

Population analysis was conducted using the same point count formula used in previous Bilou population estimates (Setiawan et al. 2020; Whittaker et al. 1995). To determine the area, we used a habitat suitability analysis, which can be read here: https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2025/12/dimana-bilou-bersuara-pemetaan-habitat.html

Mentawai bilou population calculation table in 2025

From the population analysis that we conducted, the estimated population of bilou in the customary forest area in South Siberut (11 locations) with an area of ​​approximately 208.64 km 2 is approximately 396 individuals consisting of 146 (96-186) groups.

These results are preliminary from a survey that will be conducted throughout Mentawai and are subject to change based on the latest information obtained from field teams that have, are, or will conduct surveys at other locations in the Mentawai Islands. For discussions regarding this analysis, please contact [email protected].

26Dec/25

Where the Gibbons Sing: Forest Maps for Mentawai’s Future

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By Kurnia Latifiana

Updating land cover information and habitat suitability assessments provide a baseline for identifying priority areas for protection, restoration, and improved management. The maps produced through this assessment can thus support in considering conservation decision making across Mentawai Islands. By providing insight and a comprehensive spatial perspective as an effort to strengthen primate conservation strategies and contribute to evidence based actions that safeguarding Kloss’s gibbon and their remaining forest habitat.

Objectives

To contribute insight of conservation actions for Kloss’s gibbon, this assessment aims to:

  1. Update the land cover map of Mentawai Islands to provide current representation of forest condition and potential threats in the landscape
  2. Develop and estimate suitable habitat for Kloss’s gibbon across the islands using spatial and ecological variables to identify priority habitats and areas potential at risk

Methods

Our study took place across the Mentawai Islands, focusing especially on nine customary forests in Madobag and Matotonan villages. These forests are cared for by local communities, and they are very important because they provide homes for Kloss’s gibbons and help keep the forest connected. To understand how well these areas support gibbons, we combined knowledge from past studies with new observations from the field. We looked at where gibbons were seen, and we also noted the condition of the land and forest. Using satellite images, we created updated maps of forest cover, which we checked and refined with help from local surveys. Finally, we used a computer model to predict which areas are most suitable for gibbons, considering factors like forest cover, tree health, land shape, climate, and how close the forest is to rivers or villages. This way, we can see which places are most important for protecting gibbons and supporting community efforts to keep the forest healthy.

Results

Land cover mapping

Kloss’s gibbons are strongly associated with forested habitats, particularly secondary forests.The updated land cover map of 2025 provides a current spatial overview of forest conditions across the Mentawai Islands, with particular attention to nine customary forests in Madobag and Matotonan villages. Land cover classification has limitation in distinguishing between secondary forest and mixed planted trees vegetation. Field verification helped improve classification accuracy, particularly in areas dominated by mixed vegetation zones and small patches of secondary forest.

Habitat suitability assessment

The predicted suitable habitat spatially overlapped with the majority of gibbon occurrence records from previous studies and recent field survey in 2025. There are 60 presence points (95%) fall within areas classified as suitable habitat, indicating agreement between model prediction and field observation.

Across the Mentawai Islands, suitable habitat was estimated at around 399,045.24 ha and representing 66.69% of the total area (see Table ), which 302,647.59 ha area is in Siberut Island. Within priority customary forests on Siberut Island, suitable habitat was predicted to cover approximately 78.59% of the island. Suitable habitat area by island is summarized in the table.

Habitat suitability was shaped by a combination pattern of forest structure, climatic conditions, and terrain characteristics. As shown in Figure 2, land cover was the most influential variable, contributing 40% to the model, followed by precipitation (22%), tree cover (18%), and elevation (14%), while all remaining variables individually contributed less than 10%. Human pressure variables showed relatively low direct contributions, not because they are ecologically insignificant, but because their effects are largely captured indirectly through land cover changes and forest condition.

The model confirmed that the secondary forest is the most critical predictor of Kloss’s gibbon distribution in Mentawai Islands. Areas with higher tree cover were associated with a higher probability of gibbon occurrence. This condition also confirmed the gibbons are strong dependence on structurally intact forest canopies. Kloss’s gibbons depend on upper canopy layers for key behaviors, including locomotion, feeding, resting, and vocalization, which require continuous and well developed forest structure.

Disclaimer :The information displayed here is only some part of the habitat suitability analysis for the Mentawai Gibbon Conservation Program, please please contact swaraOwa @gmail.com, for further discussion of the analysis.

24Dec/25

Life Corridor at Risk: The Shrinking Habitat of Javan Gibbons in Mendolo

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By : Kurnia Ahmaddin

The monitoring of Javan gibbons in Sawahan Hamlet, Mendolo Village began with the concern of the youth from PPM Mendolo, who suspected that the gibbons in the western hills of their village were becoming isolated. Since 2010, much of the forest area has been converted into durian orchards and non-shade coffee plantations. Through the Corridor of Life program, which started in 2022, we encouraged their concern to grow into a tree-planting initiative so that gibbons separated from their original groups could regain forest corridors for their own range. For this reason, we guided the PPM Mendolo youth to follow the movements of the Javan gibbons in the western hills of their village to address their concerns.

Forest Fragmentation in Kupel Hill

The fragmentation of forests in Kupel Hill (west of Sawahan Hamlet, Mendolo Village) cannot be easily detected from satellite imagery, as most of the hill is covered by rubber plantations owned by PTPN. A small portion (marked yellow on the map) has been left unmanaged since the last logging in 2017, which has since grown into secondary forest. The rest consists of durian and coffee plantations. Ground checks revealed that only 70 hectares of forest trees remain out of the original 200 hectares of Kupel Hill.


From January to October 2025, 74 encounter reports were recorded by the monitoring team, including research data from Nur Azizah (research intern from Biologi UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta) between April and June. Only one record noted gibbons crossing through a durian orchard; the rest were observed exclusively in forest trees. The target gibbon group consists of a breeding pair, two juveniles, and one infant. During the monitoring period, their range covered approximately 32.9 hectares. However, in August 2025, 7.29 hectares of secondary forest (yellow on the map), owned by PTPN, was logged again for timber harvest. As a result, the gibbon group’s range shrank to 25.61 hectares. Within this area, there is a natural overlap of 4.72 hectares (red on the map) with another gibbon group of four individuals.
Monitoring results show that areas without encounter points (green on the map) are durian and non-shade coffee plantations, visible as empty circles without encounter marks. Given that only one crossing was recorded in durian orchards, the target group’s range is at risk of further shrinking unless sustainable farming practices are introduced.

Behavior of the Gibbons in Sawahan

We acknowledge that our field data collection has not yet been consistent. We only recorded brief behavioral notes during monitoring, as the gibbon group in Sawahan is not yet habituated. Monitoring was conducted for half days, not from waking to sleeping. Rain and other field challenges also shortened observation hours. Behavior was recorded only once per encounter, ad-libitum, without systematic time intervals.
Behaviors noted included feeding, resting or sleeping, moving, playing, mating, grooming, and vocalizing, which we categorized as social behavior. Average encounter distance was 95.1 meters from observers. The gibbons remained cautious, often leaving when humans approached within 100 meters. Although the closest tree (Tengger tree) was about 30 meters away, the monitoring team always hid to avoid frightening the gibbons. We also wore consistent uniforms during observations to reduce disturbance. The group was active in the canopy, averaging 25.7 meters above ground.
The most frequently recorded activity was moving, likely because the group is not yet habituated. The least observed were social activities. Among social behaviors, we noted play among the juveniles, grooming, and vocalizations (great calls or alarm calls). No reproductive activity was recorded. The group was often observed resting—sitting, lying down, or napping—and frequently feeding. Due to distance, we could not yet identify the insects consumed. However, in Mendolo we have documented 27 tree species used as gibbon food sources.

Translated from original article in bahasa here :https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2025/12/menyempitnya-wilayah-jelajah-owa-jawa.html

 

23Dec/25

Nurturing Conservation Awareness Among the Young Generation in Mentawai

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photo group with students of Senior higschool of South Siberut

By : Nur Aoliya

Since 2019, SwaraOwa has organized primate conservation education programs with local communities in Mentawai, initially focusing on training Mentawai cultural teachers. In 2025, the program’s target shifted to elementary through high school students, with the following objectives:
• Provide students with basic understanding of biodiversity, ecological roles, and threats to Mentawai’s endemic primates.
• Integrate scientific knowledge and local cultural wisdom into learning about primate conservation in Mentawai.
• Encourage environmental awareness and pro-conservation behavior among students from an early age.

The program was originally scheduled for November 19–20, 2025, but due to storms it was postponed to November 21–22, 2025, in South Siberut. The first session took place at SMP Negeri South Siberut with 42 eighth-grade students. On the same day, the agenda continued at SD Negeri 06 Madobag with 46 students from grades IV–VI. On the final day, the program was attended by 39 students from SMA Negeri 1 South Siberut, representing student organizations such as OSIS, Sispala, Scouts, and PKS.
Materials were delivered by Eka Arismayanti for elementary and junior high students, while Kurnia Akhmadin presented to high school students. The sessions began with a brief introduction to SwaraOwa, followed by an interactive presentation of about 60 minutes, and concluded with light discussions and a quiz with prizes. The content was tailored to the age group, considering differences in reasoning abilities and appropriate teaching methods.

introductory about primate diversity in Mentawai by Swaraowa team

For elementary and junior high students, the material generally covered ecology and primates, threats, the connection between Mentawai culture and primates, and the role of humans in conservation efforts. The difference lay in the teaching method: elementary students were engaged with more visuals and props such as primate dolls. Both groups showed good focus during the sessions, but discussion styles varied—elementary discussions tended to be one-way from the presenter, while junior high students engaged in two-way Q&A interactions.

giving books of Mentawai birds and Primates to the teacher

High school students received more in-depth material on conservation issues related to the water cycle, benefits of flora and fauna, Mentawai primate ecology and its cultural ties, as well as opportunities for youth involvement in conservation actions. Discussions at the high school level involved not only the presenter and students but also exchanges among students themselves, making the dialogue interactive and multi-directional. One debated issue was the use of primates as food outside of traditional ceremonies.

The open presentation and discussion approach proved effective in encouraging student participation at the junior and senior high levels. Meanwhile, for elementary students, more interactive methods are needed to strengthen engagement. This program is expected to be an initial step in fostering awareness and concern among the younger generation for primate conservation and environmental preservation.

Translated from original article in bahasa here : https://swaraowa.blogspot.com/2025/12/swaraowa-dan-sekolah-mentawai-membangun.html. 

20Dec/25

Building a Citizen Scientist Movement: Villages Primates Monitoring in Mendolo , Kayupuring , and Pacet .

Blog Post,

By: Kurnia Ahmaddin

This activity is the contribution of swaraOwa as a member of the Petungkriyono Forest Management Collaboration Forum, which has received the Governor of Central Java’s Decree No. 660.1/26 of 2020. By involving the community, the 2025 biodiversity monitoring activity focuses on 3 villages, namely Mendolo and Kayupuring in Pekalongan Regency and Pacet in Batang Regency. We routinely conduct surveys for a minimum of 7 days per month carried out by 14 local youths. This activity also serves as an effort to assist 5 active hunters in finding alternative sources of income by involving them in monitoring activities or forest patrols.

This activity also aims to increase capacity and promote conservation awareness among communities around the forest, which can transform forest resource exploitation activities into productive economic activities. It involves collecting information on biodiversity, which has great potential to be developed as regional assets and for community-based nature conservation. All data on primate diversity, geospatial information, and other field records are input through the ‘KOBOTOOLBOX’ application. The data obtained from this application has not yet been fully measured using consistent methods. Some reports are contributions from the monitoring team when passing through and encountering primates, so it can be said that this data acquisition is ‘citizen science’ data.

Based on the gibbon population survey in 2021, Kayupuring village is considered a high suitable habitat area for Javan gibbons. Therefore, patrols are conducted by tracking the routes most prone to hunting in the village. A similar patrol method is also carried out in Pacet village, which is the easternmost distribution point of Javan gibbons in the Dieng Mountains. Considering that many forests have been converted into durian and non-shade coffee gardens in Mendolo, patrols are carried out as much as possible by following the movement of Javan gibbons to determine their movement routes, feeding preferences, and behavior in low suitable habitats. The results of this activity are expected to be used as a consideration for tree planting programs, so that tree planting points aimed at Javan gibbons, indicated to be isolated in Mendolo, will have natural crossing corridors in the future.

Over a period of 10 months, the monitoring results recorded by the monitoring team amounted to 242 sightings of 5 species of Javan primates. All recorded geospatial data had an average GPS accuracy of 7.327892 m from the devices used by the monitoring team. By eliminating records of Javan gibbons that were attempted to be followed in Mendolo, as we considered them as a single group, the species with the highest number of recorded sightings was the Javan lutung (Trachypithecus auratus). This species was recorded 75 times, with a maximum of 15 individuals in one group, and an average of 5 individuals per sighting. Meanwhile, the Javan slow loris (Nycticebus javanicus) was the least frequently recorded species, only 3 sightings, with 1 individual observed each time.

The long-tailed monkey (Macaca fascicularis) ranks second lowest in terms of encounter records with 31 encounters. Nevertheless, this species ranks first in terms of the largest number of individuals in a single group, which is 18 individuals with an average of 8.13 individuals. Encounter records with Rekrekan (Presbytis fredericae) amount to 34 encounters, with the highest number of individuals being 16 and an average of 5.059 individuals.

Encounters with Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) outside the home range of the group followed in Mendolo were reported 57 times, with an average of 2.54 individuals per encounter and a maximum of 8 individuals observed at one time in the village of Kayupuring. All of these averages and individual counts include sightings and reports of calls heard without seeing the animals, which we counted as 1 individual.

Primates Distribution

distribution map of the Javan gibbons

The forest area of Kutorojo village, Kajen District, Pekalongan Regency, is a forest region with the westernmost primate records in the Dieng mountain forest area during this monitoring period. This forest area only lacked sightings of the Javan slow loris (Nyticebus javanicus) because the team did not conduct nighttime monitoring when visiting the village. Although not observed directly, based on interviews with the local community, they were able to describe physical characteristics well and even mention the best time to encounter this animal during the peak of the coffee flowering season. Outside this area, the Javan slow loris (Nyticebus javanicus) was only found in Mendolo village during the monitoring period. There were only 3 recorded encounters in forest areas with coffee shade trees beneath, at an average altitude of 624 meters above sea level.

Out of 31 records of encounters with long-tailed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis), 13 were recorded in Mendolo village and 10 in Kayupuring, with an average observation at an altitude of 542.2954 meters above sea level. There was only 1 record at an altitude of 1007.64 meters above sea level in Sawanganronggo, and no encounter reports in Pacet village or other areas above 1000 meters above sea level, except in Sawanganronggo. Although the encounter records indicate that this species’ habitat is quite moderate, ranging from pine, rubber, and durian plantations, encounters in forest areas are relatively low. For example, in Kayupuring, although the habitat is generally forested, encounters with this species are concentrated along the main road. This is likely because at least 4 groups have become habituated to human presence. We still receive reports that local communities and tourists often feed long-tailed monkeys (Macaca fascicularis) along the main road leading to Petungkriyono. Several other reports indicate that groups at the entrance of the forest have started chasing people carrying plastic bags.

The Javan lutung (Trachypithecus auratus) is recorded at moderate elevations and habitats compared to other species in this landscape. It has been observed from an elevation of 404.651 meters above sea level in Kayupuring to 1770.83 meters above sea level in Pacet, with habitats ranging from plantations to natural forests. Meanwhile, records of the Rekrekan (Presbytis comata fredericae) on the western side show an elevation of 393.76 meters above sea level in Kutorojo, and on the eastern side, in Pacet village, it is recorded at 1637.3 meters above sea level, giving an average elevation of 658.2403 meters above sea level from 34 sighting records across the entire monitoring area. The habitat of this species is similar to that of the Javan lutung (Trachypithecus auratus), with even 2 sighting records in tea plantations that have African trees (Maesopsis eminii) serving as shade plants for the tea.

During the monitoring period, Javan gibbons (Hylobates moloch) were only recorded in natural forest habitats with shade-grown coffee plants under the forest canopy. It was reported that this type of primate was found at an average elevation of 596.516 meters above sea level. The lowest recorded elevation was 320.58 meters above sea level in Kutorojo, and the highest was 1566.71 meters above sea level in Pacet. These locations represent the westernmost and easternmost distribution records during the monitoring period. In Pacet, 3 individuals were observed at Silawe waterfall, although they were only recorded once. In Kutorojo 5 individuals were observed in one group.

06Dec/25

Titian Lestari: A Corridor of Life for the Javan Gibbon

Blog Post,

by : Sidiq Harjanto

fostering creative education, conservation campaigns, and cultural arts (such as the Jingkrak Sundang dance) to raise awareness during ceremony kick off event.

On November 29, 2025, SwaraOwa together with the Astra Honda Motor Foundation (AHM) and affiliated companies officially launched the conservation program Titian Lestari in Dusun Sawahan, Mendolo Village, Lebakbarang District. The event was marked by a symbolic handover of tree seedlings and ceremonial planting of various species that serve as food sources for gibbons, support water conservation, and provide economic value for local communities.

Main Objective The program seeks to preserve the Javan gibbon in the Petungkriyono–Lebakbarang forest area through a holistic approach that reconnects forests, communities, and cultural values.

The Three Bridges Concept

  1. Titian Alam (Bridge of Nature) – restoring forest connectivity by planting trees along riverbanks and agroforestry lands.
  2. Titian Pengetahuan (Bridge of Knowledge) – fostering creative education, conservation campaigns, and cultural arts (such as the Jingkrak Sundang dance) to raise awareness, especially among youth.
  3. Titian Peran (Bridge of Participation) – encouraging women’s involvement in conservation, from eco-friendly daily practices to developing non-timber forest products.

ceremony for lauching program ” Titian Lestari”  in Mendolo village, Lebakbarang

Expected Impacts

  • Maintaining habitat corridors for the Javan gibbon to prevent fragmentation.
  • Increasing public awareness of the ecological and social significance of the species.
  • Opening inclusive spaces for women’s participation in conservation and sustainable economic initiatives.

Collaboration & Support,  within next coming years , will fostering Javan gibbon conservation in the region, the program is supported by multiple stakeholders, : the Astra Honda Motor Foundation, affiliated companies, Perum Perhutani, the Central Java Environmental and Forestry Agency, the Pekalongan District Agriculture Office, youth farmer groups-PPM Mendolo, women farmer groups_KWT Brayan Urip, and the Mendolo Village community.