Indonesia is ranked as one of the two most important ‘mega-diversity’ countries in the world. Despite covering only 1.3% of the Earth’s land surface, Indonesia contains a high proportion of the world’s species, including 17% of bird, 12% of mammal, 16% of reptile and amphibian, 25% of fish, 33% of insects, and 10% of the flowering plant species. This along with a high diversity of cultures make it one of the richest and challenging countries in which to work. WCS recognizes the importance of Indonesia to global conservation, and is working to save its wildlife and wild lands.
The Wildlife Conservaton Society – Indonesia Program (WCS-IP) began working in Indonesia in 1965 and established a formal country program in 1991. Using a “muddy boots” method to conservation, we identify critical conservation issues, find sciencebased solutions to these problems, and achieve tangible, on-the-ground success that benefits wildlife and wild places.
Good Science
Most of our efforts begin with gathering data on natural and human landscapes through surveys and explorations. WCS also conduct on-going monitoring of wildlife and habitats to assess the success of conservation efforts. With the emergence of research tools such as canera traps, geographic information system, remote sensing and DNS technologies, WCS conservationists have been able to monitor wildlife and ecological trends in much finer detail than ever before. As a result, WCS has collected one of the most extensive field information on the status and habitats of tigers, elephants, babirusa, primates, and hornbills.
Conservation Action
With sound data in hand, we work with our partners to achieve conservation including direct interventions for protecting endangered species, creating new approaches to public-private partnerships for conservation, empowering local communities and governments to manage their wildlife resources, affecting national and local regulations, influencing international conservation and natural resource management policies, and assisting in management of protected areas.
Building Capacity
Through training and mentoring of Indonesian scientists and conservationists, WCS helps build the next generation of conservation leaders. We have helped train hundreds of forestry staff, local NGO members, university faculty and students, and community members in conservation principles and technique.
Education
Our wildlife and wild places have a lot to teach us. WCS works with our partners to educate people about the value of wildlife and wild places in order to gain their support. We work to help bridge the connection beetwen nature and the people who are most important in their protection through lectures, books, scientific and poplar articles, and community awareness campaigns.
Rampant hunting and uncontrolled trade in wildlife are leading to what ecologists are calling the “empty forest syndrome”. WCS and partners have established Wildlife Crimes Units (WCU) in Sulawesi and Sumatra to curb uncontrolled hunting and sales of protected wildlife. Units are comprised of members from law enforcement agencies, local NGOs, and media, and work with prosecutors and judges to ensure that protection laws are applied. Members are trained in specialized techniques; they work together to monitor and investigate illegal wildlife sales; apprehend violators; and facilitate the legal process to ensure that law enforcement is carried out from start to finish. Efforts through the WCU have led to the highest sentencing in Indonesian history for wildlife violations. Protected areas are monitored and patrolled in order to assess the effectiveness of the legal efforts. And, the Units work closely with the media to ensure that the public is better informed about wildlife and their protection.
Using sophisticated remote sensing technology, WCS scientists have produced methods to detect changes to forest systems at a very fine scale and answer critical conservation questions. WCS provides information to park authorities and local governments about deforestation patterns in relation to human population changes, economic developments, and policies. WCS works hand-in-hand with partners to ensure that there is greater awareness on the value of forests for ecological services, informed decision-making, and plans and policies promote ecological health.
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