Central Kalimantan is a province of Indonesian Borneo. The region is rich with biodiversity, and its wild cats are no exception. The Borneo Nature Foundation (BNF) Indonesia recently joined forces with the Department of Forestry at the University of Palangka Raya (UPR) to host a public lecture on the ‘Research Potential of Wild Cats in Central Kalimantan’.
This event was held in the Faculty of Agriculture Auditorium, on Saturday 18th March 2023. Although public, the lecture was chiefly designed to support forestry majors at UPR and foster an interest in the research potential of wild cats in the region.
During the lecture, Irul introduced several kinds of wild cat present in Central Kalimantan, and explained how further research is crucial to inform future conservation efforts and ensure species’ survival.
“One of the main methods used in monitoring and managing wild cat populations is camera trapping. With camera trap data, we can confirm species’ presence, identify individuals, learn about their activity patterns, and estimate population size,” continued Irul.
The lead speakers were M. Khairul “Irul” Ikhwan, a Cat Scientist from BNF Indonesia, and Hendra Toni, a lecturer from the UPR Department of Forestry. Also in attendance were the Deputy Dean for Student Affairs, Kembarawati, and the Head of BNF’s Cooperation and Research Programme, Agnes Ferisa.
Kembarawati expressed his appreciation for the special lecture event, as well as his hope that forestry students at UPR will go on to play a major role in wild cat research efforts.
“We are particularly excited for students to learn about camera trapping, since this method has rarely been used, especially by undergraduate students in the department,” he said.
During the lecture, Irul introduced several kinds of wild cat present in Central Kalimantan, and explained how further research is crucial to inform future conservation efforts and ensure species’ survival.
“One of the main methods used in monitoring and managing wild cat populations is camera trapping. With camera trap data, we can confirm species’ presence, identify individuals, learn about their activity patterns, and estimate population size,” continued Irul.
Irul also described how camera traps are non-invasive surveillance tools, equipped with a passive infrared system that takes photos and videos when heat and movement are detected. This technology has proven incredibly useful to study rare and/or elusive animals that would otherwise be difficult to observe in their natural habitat, such as wild cats.
After the lecture, a practical discussion session was held to familiarise students with the use of camera traps, including their functions, how to set and install them, and methods for data analysis.
Participants were highly enthusiastic about this hands-on demonstration, which was, for many, their first experience with camera traps. Putri Angelina, a forestry student at UPR, told us how happy she was to have attended this public lecture.
“I am very grateful to have had the opportunity to attend the lecture today because I have learnt so much! Going forward, I hope that more of these activities can be held in conjunction with BNF,” she said.
Written by Dimas Teja Kusuma, Orangutan Caring Scholar
