The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has reported that five of the world’s ten most critically endangered species live and breed in Indonesia, yet their conditions remain dire and alarming. These include the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae), Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica), and hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).
Professor Raden Wisnu Nurcahyo from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Gadjah Mada (FKH UGM), explained that one of the main challenges in wildlife conservation is the deterioration of habitats that are no longer safe for animal life. This issue stems from land-use change, illegal hunting and trade, climate change, and disease exposure.
According to Professor Nurcahyo, collaboration, communication, and coordination among various stakeholders are crucial to reducing harmful practices that threaten endangered wildlife.
These stakeholders include conservation-minded communities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), universities, as well as central and local governments.
“If we do not coordinate, everyone will work separately. There should be no sectoral ego when protecting endangered species,” the professor emphasized on Monday (Oct. 13).
Professor Nurcahyo also expressed concern about weak law enforcement against those involved in the illegal wildlife trade. He believes that lenient sentences fail to deter perpetrators.
“Light punishment will not have a deterrent effect on those who commit these crimes,” he stated.
In addition to more vigorous enforcement, Professor Nurcahyo highlighted the importance of public awareness campaigns and education efforts to protect endangered species and their dwindling populations.
“We must raise public awareness,” he remarked.
Beyond legal measures, Professor Nurcahyo also emphasized the need for cultural approaches. For instance, in some regions of Komodo Island, local communities believe the Komodo dragon is their kin, making them unwilling to harm it. He described this as a form of ethno-conservation.
Professor Nurcahyo warned that failure to prevent poaching or habitat destruction could disrupt ecological balance.
“For example, when deer are overhunted, predators lose their food sources and may instead prey on villagers’ livestock,” he explained.
He further noted that wildlife plays a vital role in maintaining environmental health, though this is not widely recognized.
“Take orangutans, for example, they eat fruits, and when they defecate, the seeds spread and help regenerate forests. In essence, all stakeholders must work together, collaborate, and communicate to prevent wildlife extinction. I believe we can preserve these species by harnessing our collective strengths,” Professor Nurcahyo concluded.
Author: Alena Damaris
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Rajendra Arya
Photographs: WWF