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Rahayu Oktaviani, a dedicated Indonesian conservationist, has committed her life to protecting the endangered Javan gibbon, also known as the silvery gibbon or owa jawa. Her journey began in 2008 during an undergraduate research project in West Java's Mount Halimun Salak National Park, where she was tasked with obtaining a voice sample of the primate. After weeks of patiently observing the forest, she finally heard the distinctive call of the Javan gibbon, a sound she describes as melodic and haunting, capable of creating a hush throughout the forest. This experience ignited a passion within her, leading her to dedicate the past 17 years to the conservation of this critically endangered species. Indonesia, a vast archipelago located along the equator, is recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot, home to over 60 species of primates, with approximately 38 being endemic to the country. While many are familiar with iconic Indonesian wildlife like orangutans, rhinos, and tigers, the Javan gibbon often remains overlooked. Fewer than 2,500 Javan gibbons are estimated to survive in the wild, with about half residing within the Mount Halimun Salak National Park. Ayu and her team have focused on establishing grassroots conservation efforts within this vital habitat. The Javan gibbons' dependence on a continuous forest canopy for movement and foraging makes them exceptionally vulnerable to forest fragmentation and habitat degradation. Given that around 55% of Indonesia's 270 million inhabitants reside on the island of Java, the survival of these endemic species is increasingly threatened by deforestation and illegal wildlife trafficking. Ayu emphasizes the critical importance of preserving intact forests not only for the Javan gibbons but also for the multitude of other species that depend on these habitats for their survival. She points out that only approximately 10% of Java's natural forests remain, underscoring the urgency of conservation efforts.
Recognizing the importance of community involvement in conservation, Ayu co-founded the conservation NGO Kiara in 2020 to expand efforts to save the Javan gibbon. Initially, as a primatologist immersed in forest research, Ayu realized she had inadvertently overlooked the local communities living alongside the primates. A simple question posed by a villager named Yanti, who inquired why Ayu frequented the forest but rarely visited the village, prompted a critical self-reflection. This interaction led Ayu to understand the necessity of engaging with the community and fostering a sense of ownership and pride in the Javan gibbons' conservation. Ayu's philosophy centers on collaborative partnerships with communities, transforming the gibbon into a source of local pride and ensuring long-term conservation success. Community engagement is considered paramount, as it provides the foundation for all other conservation efforts. To further integrate local communities into conservation initiatives, Ayu has employed residents from Citalahab, a small village nestled within the national park. These individuals, who traditionally work in tea plantations or as rice farmers, now collaborate with Ayu and her team in the field, monitoring the gibbons in their natural habitat. In addition to direct employment, Kiara established the Ambu Halimun initiative, which engages 15 local women between the ages of 17 and 50 in ecoprinting workshops and financial literacy training, empowering them economically and socially.
Ayu's dedication and innovative approach to conservation were recognized in April when she received the prestigious Whitley Award. This award acknowledges exceptional achievements in grassroots conservation and provides Ayu with resources to further her work in protecting the Javan gibbons. The 50,000 British pounds ($67,000) prize money will enable Ayu to scale up Kiara's programs, addressing threats stemming from human activities and safeguarding the gibbons' habitat. Her plans include the development of a comprehensive data management system to improve conservation efforts across the park, the implementation of biodiversity monitoring training programs for park rangers, and the provision of guidance for effective conservation strategies. Ayu, inspired by the pioneering work of primatologists Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas (collectively known as “the Trimates”), firmly believes in the possibility of human-wildlife coexistence. She argues that humans are an integral part of the ecosystem and not separate from it, necessitating a balance between human activities and the needs of nature. This balance requires respect for all living beings within the ecosystem. Ayu believes that the Whitley Award serves as a significant platform to raise awareness about the Javan gibbons and to encourage greater public concern for their conservation. She emphasizes that knowledge is the first step towards caring for a species. Through the recognition provided by the award and the international media attention it has generated, Ayu hopes to inspire a new generation of Indonesian conservationists. She emphasizes the important role of women in conservation and highlights the need to nurture future primatologists and conservationists from Indonesia, as their contributions are vital to protecting the country's unique biodiversity.
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