“Conservation without restrain and cost is not conservation,” said Noviar Andayani, The Chairman of Yayasan Owa Jawa on a visit to the Javan Gibbon Center last Thursday (10/4).
In her opinion, control and cost factor is an important component in conservation activities. The protection of endangered wildlife such as Owa Jawa do need big funds, but the impact in the future is believed to be very large when conservation work.
Javan Gibbon Center (JGC), which is a collaboration between Yayasan Owa Jawa (YOJ), Ministry of forestry, Conservation International Indonesia, Balai TNGGP, Universitas Indonesia and Silvery Gibbon Project, it aims to restore the physical and psychological conditions of domesticated Owa Java to be released to increase the wild population. The release done by pairing to increase their survival in nature.
The confiscated and submission Owa Jawa condition generally are in poor condition. There is still a bullet in their belly, thin hair because of stress, very thin body, etc.
Owa Jawa conservation that centered in Taman Nasional Gunung Gede Pangrango (TNGGP) Bodogol Resort since 2003, now inhabited 25 Owa Java and several pairs ready to be released.
The existence of Owa Java who spends his life in tree canopy, can be an indicator that the forest conditions are still good because it has a dense canopy coverage.
Conservation Threat in Indonesia
Forest transfer function is real threat for animal protection in indonesia. Hunting and wildlife trade is the other threat. Herry Subagiadi, Chief of Balai TNGGP, said various elements need to be active from the Government, conservationist, law enforcement, and the public to realize the importance of conservation.
He also confirmed there are threats against Owa Jawa in 22.851 hectare TNGGP area. “The increasing of hunt and trade also habitats fragmentation causing Owa Java population difficult to grow. The fast development and less restrained causing the decline of Owa Jawa population,” he said.
Wahjudi Wardojo, Chief supervisor of YOJ, In the discussion also mentioned that the basic philosophy in Indonesia still weak only some conscious to apply conservation. “National park is a deposit, I have a right to (enjoy) National Park in Lampung, Flores, etc. So did our grandchildren,” said Wahjudi.
Noviar also said, “In Indonesia the total area of national park and nature reserves about 20 million hectares or about 13% of Indonesia total area. Should this area is constantly threatened by development? But on the other hand, the National Park became the world’s international offerings,” he continued.
“If Owa Jawa extinct, then humans will also become extinct,” said Noviar. Januar Hakam.