Two graduate students from the Faculty of Biology, Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), Dudi Nandika and Dwi Agustina, participated in the Ornithological Conference held from Nov. 14 to 17 in Beijing, China.
The conference, which brought together 528 delegates from 39 countries, representing 76 universities and 37 research institutions, served as a platform for academic exchange in ornithology across Asia, promoting research and conservation efforts.
Ornithology, as a field, focuses on the study of bird physiology, evolution, and behavior.
Organized by the International Ornithology Union (IOU), the Institute of Zoology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the International Zoological Society, the China Ornithological Society, and the Avian Research journal, the event awarded Dudi Nandika the “First Prize Poster Award” and Dwi Agustinathe “First Prize Presentation Award.”
Both also received Travel Awards from the AOC Committee.
Nandika, a doctoral student at UGM’s Faculty of Biology, presented his research titled “Recent Data Analysis of Feeding Guilds in Bird Communities as Bioindicators for Manusela National Park Management in Maluku.”
His study explores bird population data and species composition in Manusela National Park, intended to support area management and inform policy decisions regarding bird species conservation.
Nandika explained that the research was motivated by the alarming threat of illegal hunting in Maluku, where 86% of confiscated wildlife is bird species.
He emphasized the ecological importance of birds in ecosystems and the urgent need for policies to protect avian species in the park.
“Illegal hunting poses the greatest threat to wild birds in Maluku. Of the wildlife seized by the Natural Resources Conservation Agency, 86% are birds,” Nandika stated on Monday (Nov. 25).
The bird species in Manusela National Park represent various habitat types and elevations. Their ecological roles make them vital indicators of environmental health and habitat changes.
“Effective policies are needed to protect bird species in Manusela National Park,” he added.
Meanwhile, Agustina, a master’s student from UGM’s Faculty of Biology, presented her research, “Aligning Cockatoo Conservation Efforts with Local Huaulu Customary Wisdom on Seram Island, Maluku, Indonesia.”
Her study examines conflicts between the Huaulu indigenous community and the government. The Huaulu people traditionally hunt cockatoos to use their crests in cultural ceremonies, which conflicts with the government’s conservation efforts.
“This research was conducted to find a peaceful solution to this conflict,” Agustina explained.
The study identified a compromise that satisfied both parties: the use of naturally shed cockatoo feathers in traditional ceremonies. This allows the Huaulu people to uphold their customs without hunting the birds, thereby supporting conservation goals.
“This agreement aligns cockatoo conservation efforts with the Huaulu community’s local wisdom,” she noted.
Agustina expressed hope that conservation efforts in Maluku would succeed in restoring endangered species populations.
“By reactivating the seli kaitahu customary practice to manage hunting and forest use in indigenous territories, we can help depleted wildlife populations recover,” she said.
The Dean of UGM’s Faculty of Biology, Professor Budi Setiadi Daryono, applauded the two students’ achievements and stressed the importance of their research for Indonesia’s communities.
He noted that the students have long been active in bird conservation, particularly of parrots, and that this conference provided them with opportunities to promote their work, expand their networks, and deepen their expertise globally.
Author: Hanif
Editor: Gusti Grehenson
Post-editor: Afif