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/