Borneo Nature Foundation staff participated in the Indonesia Carnivore Conference at the end of 2017 in Banyuwangi, East Java. The conference was initiated by Forum Harimau Kita (Sumatran Tiger Conservation Forum) in cooperation with Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry. The main purpose of this conference is to increase the conservation efforts of carnivores in Indonesia.
The conference consisted of five main topics: examining the ecology of Indonesia’s least studied carnivorous mammals; population and ecology of Indonesia’s big cats; threats to carnivorous mammals and conservation efforts; management of human-big cat conflict; and multi-disciplinary approach in conservation of carnivorous mammals.
BNF had the opportunity to deliver a presentation under the theme ‘threats to carnivorous mammals and conservation efforts’. Adul (BNF Camera Trap Project Coordinator) presented about BNF’s camera trap projects in the Sabangau and Rungan Forests. We have captured 17 carnivore species on our camera traps from a total of 36 species of carnivores found across Indonesia. This is a great result!
The result of this research encouraged the conference attendees to suggest the formation of the Clouded Leopard Forum and identified the clouded leopard as a priority species for Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo. Awareness campaigns about clouded leopards also need to be improved, both locally and internationally, because previously the carnivore campaigns in Indonesia have focused on larger cat species.
The participants were also divided into three focus group discussions. The topics were (i) research; (ii) management, collaboration and policy; and (iii) awareness and capacity building. Based on the results of these focus group discussions, a Resolution Banyuwangi was established and agreed by all conference participants. This resolution contains priority issues for the conservation of Indonesia’s carnivorous mammals.
The Indonesia Carnivore Conference is a big step forward for the conservation of carnivores in Indonesia. We hope that the outcomes of the conference can be well implemented and there is an increasing interest and commitment from the government for the protection of endangered carnivores across Indonesia.
