Conservation a priority for endangered Javan gibbon<\/p>\n
Jarot Arisona, Contributor, Depok<\/p>\n
The Javan, or silvery, gibbon (Hylobates moloch) is one of the
\nworld's rarest primates.<\/p>\n
This lesser ape occurs nowhere but on Java, more precisely, in
\nthe western and central part of the island. It is confined to
\nfloristically rich patches of relatively undisturbed lowland to
\nlower mountain rain forest of less than 1,600 meters in altitude.<\/p>\n
During the last decade, the Javan gibbon population has
\ndeclined rapidly throughout its range, mainly due to the loss of
\ntropical forest habitat. According to Whitten and others (1999),
\nJava has lost close to 90 percent of its tropical forest, leaving
\nless than 19,828 square kilometers of forest, mostly mountain
\nareas.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the economic crisis since 1997 and
\nmisinterpretation of the meaning of reform prompted people to
\nclear many of the remaining forests for agriculture, causing more
\ndeforestation.<\/p>\n
A study on the Javan gibbon population and distribution was
\ncarried out by the Indonesian Foundation for the Advancement of
\nBiological Sciences (IFABS) and Center for Biodiversity &
\nConservation Studies, University of Indonesia (CBCS-UI), during
\n2002 and 2003.<\/p>\n
The study surveyed 25 forest sites from Ujung Kulon National
\nPark in West Java to the easternmost known distribution of the
\ngibbon, namely the Dieng Plateau in Central Java. New localities
\nfor the Javan gibbon, especially in Central Java have been added,
\nnamely the Kendeng Mountains (Sekesod, Sokokembang, and Karang
\nGondang), Mount Jaran (Pandanarum village), and Mount
\nRendet\/Mount Sulaeman (Sigugur village).<\/p>\n
All the localities are located in protected forests, which
\nhave a lesser degree of protection than nature reserves or
\nnational parks. On the other hand, gibbons may have vanished from
\nfive localities (Lengkong, Mt. Porang, Mt. Kencana, Bojongpicung,
\nand Pasir Susuru) where they had previously been reported.<\/p>\n
The total number of gibbons estimated by this study to still
\nexist ranges between 4,000 and 4,800 individuals. The populations
\nare divided up into sub-populations, with mostly small numbers of
\nindividuals living in fragmented, small patches of forest.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, the study listed seven locations at which the
\ngibbon population has apparently fallen below 10 individuals,
\nnamely, in forest patches on Mt. Papandayan, Mt. Limbung-Halimun,
\nMt. Jaran, Mt. Rendet\/Mt. Sulaeman, Mt. Slamet, Watukumpul, and
\nLewuweng Sancang.<\/p>\n
Under these conditions of small and isolated populations,
\nlocal extinction can result. Meanwhile, the total extent of
\nthe forest patches available to the gibbons is estimated to be
\nonly 1,144 sq. km.<\/p>\n
The field study records that the gibbons are under threat from
\nmultiple direct and indirect threats, the most intense of which
\noriginate from forest clearance and agriculture. Meanwhile,
\ngeographically speaking, the most extensive source of threats
\ncomes from game hunting and land clearance.<\/p>\n
This study strongly recommends in-situ gibbon conservation
\nmeasures by exploring the prospects for establishing new reserves
\nin Central Java as a priority, including in a forest patch of
\nabout 9,000 hectares on Mt. Kendeng, Dieng Plateau.<\/p>\n
The development and recognition of community conservation
\nareas is recommended, which would ensure long term community
\nengagement toward increased local commitment and protection.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, detailed studies and monitoring are needed in 15
\nmost important gibbon sites, including: Mt. Jayanti, Mt. Salak,
\nTelaga Warna, Mt. Malang, Mt. Sanggabuana, Mt. Simpang, Mt. Tilu,
\nMt. Limbung-Halimun, Mt. Kendeng (Dieng Plateau), Mt. Slamet, Mt.
\nWayang, Mt. Jaran, Mt. Watukumpul, and Mt. Pembarisan.<\/p>\n
The study also supports the call for protected corridors, for
\ninstance, between Salak and the Halimun mountains. Overall,
\nresponding to the relatively high incidence of trading in
\ngibbons, law enforcement needs to involve the prosecution of the
\nmiddlemen and the people behind the illegal wildlife trade, with
\nmaximum sentencing employed as a deterrent<\/p>\n
The writer is a researcher at the Indonesian Foundation for the
\nAdvancement of Biological Sciences (IFABS) and Center for
\nBiodiversity & Conservation Studies, University of Indonesia
\n(CBCS-UI).<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/conservation-a-priority-for-endangered-javan-gibbon-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}