Indah Winarti – International Animal Rescue Indonesia Introduction There are five different species of slow lorises (Nycticebus spp.), all inhabiting south and east Asia. Of these, the Malayan slow loris (N. coucang), the Bornean slow loris (N. menagensis) and the Javan slow loris (N. javanicus) are found in Indonesia. Due to habitat loss and illegal trade for pet and traditional medicine, all the slow loris species face a high risk of extinction. The Javan slow loris is even listed on the IUCN Red List of 25 Most Endangered Primates of The World. Slow lorises can be found offered openly at some of the markets in Indonesia. The slow loris awareness campaign focuses on decreasing the supply and demand of slow lorises, whilst building pressure for more law enforcement and developing environmental education. This program has only been implemented in 2011 so is still in its infancy. One of the goals is to increase the awareness among local people, by spreading the message not to buy or keep it for pet. In this study we aimed to evaluate the impact of the awareness campaign among people on local villages and markets.
Methods
Table 1 Questions included in the questionnaire. There
We conducted an awareness campaign in West Java, Indonesia during 2011. To increase the knowledge in people about the slow lorises and their risk of extinction due to the illegal pet trade, we provided information at (1) four workshops given to local people (2) three street campaigns at market with existing trade of slow lorises. The work shops were held in the Garut area, at three villages where slow lorises are inhabiting their surrounding region (Cipaganti, Ciwangi, Pangeureunan), and in one village where slow loris are not inhabiting the region (Pangauban). The market campaigns were carried out at PEMDA Cibinong Market and Sempur Market in Bogor, and at Gasibu Market in Bandung. The level of the awareness among people, pre and post the awareness campaign, were evaluated using questionnaires. See Table 1 for questions included in the questionnaires.
were 36 and 107 respondents in total in each pre and post questionnaires at habitat, and 152 respondents at market in both questionnaires
Results Awareness in villages did impact to local people knowledge (Fig. 1), and also the market visitor (Fig. 2).
Fig. 1 Questionnaires in village Local people mainly raising their awareness of the conservation status of the slow loris and it role in their habitat (niche). Knowledge on species recognition and extinction risk seem to lower in post questionnaire due to the area expansion on data taking. It used to only near the habitat, but then widen to whole village as the assumption that the awareness might impacted all villagers.
Fig. 2 Questionnaires in market Potential buyer at the market mainly raising their knowledge of the species and awareness of the conservation status. At the first respond shown on slow loris figure, they mostly recognized it as ‘kuskus’, the common trade name in the market. There still willingness to keep slow loris as a pet (n = 2 or 4.7%) at one market replied by a kid. From these we might need some specific strategies on doing awareness to children.
Conclusions
Acknowledgements
• The awareness activities impacted respondents, local people near habitat and potential buyer at market consisting slow loris trade, on raising their knowledge of slow loris conservation status. • Respondents are the main key players that have high influence visa versa to the slow loris trade • Specific strategies have to be formulate in doing awareness to those two key players
We thank Rufford Small Grant Foundations and Ocean Park Conservation Fund for their support of funds.
International Animal Rescue (IAR) – Indonesia IAR Ciapus Bogor: Jl. Curug Nangka, Kp. Sinarwangi, RT.04/05, Desa Sukajadi, Bogor 16610 , Indonesia Tel./Fax: +62 (0) 251 838 9232 IAR Kalbar: Jl. W. Mongonsidi RT.09/03, Kel. Kauman Kec. Benua Kayong 78821 Ketapang, Kalimantan Barat, Indonesia Tel./Fax Office: +62 (0) 534 3038075 PO Box 125 Bogor 16001, Indonesia.|
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