Word Nature Conservation

Day: Let be Elephants IFSA LC UGM Rika Sukmaputri

World Nature Conservation day was consultant and culture expert in Gembira Loka celebrated on July 28th across the world in order Zoo, Yogyakarta. Mr. Mossbrucker as the first to raise awareness to protecting nature and speaker shared his experiences about conserving our natural resources. Due to the conservation in Sumatra and what he and his rapid development process is putting pressure foundation has been done in conserving on the natural resources like air, water, forests, elephant. Mr. Palguna as the second speaker wildlife, fossil fuels & minerals, so that Nature explained about elephant ex-situ conservation Conservation management is the best way to that has been done in Gembira Loka Zoo. manage and utilize the natural resources. World Wide Foundation (WWF) said that elephants are the largest land . and are two species that has been recognized well by people. There are three sub-species of Asian elephant, , and Sri Lankan elephant. Indian elephant has the widest range and total number in Asia. Sri Lankan elephant is physically the largest of the sub-species, and has the darkest color. Sumatran is the smallest sub-species that live in Sumatra, Indonesia.

Sumatran elephant ( maximus (Group photo session in Creative Friday Discussion, Let sumatranus) has been classified as critically Elephants be Elephants) endangered by International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Forestry Education Commission of IFSA (IUCN). The population of this species has LC UGM held Creative Friday Discussion declined by at least 80% over the last 3 (CIRCUS) with following theme “Let Elephants generations, estimated to stand alive about 75 be Elephants”. This is the way we celebrate years. Decreasing elephant population largely World Nature Conservation Day to challenge due to the massive trade. While some youth participation in increasing awareness of populations are now stable and growing, conflict elephant conservation. There are two great and habitat destruction continue to threaten the speakers, Mr. Alexander Markus Mossbrucker, elephants. founder of Sumatran Elephant Conservation Initiative (SECI) and Mr. Hari Palguna,

They are also has a critical role in Conflict between elephant and local community maintaining the region's forests. In ecosystem, has gone further and caused the decreasing of elephant has function for seed dispersal, elephant population. The best way to conserve ecosystem engineer, and flagship species as it elephant in nature is through habitat protection is popular and charismatic species that play role and good land use planning. as symbol and rallying points to stimulate conservation awareness and action. Saving elephant means save the whole balance in ecosystem.

(Mr. Palguna explained about ex-situ conservation in Gembira Loka Zoo)

In Gembira Loka Zoo, Mr. Palguna (Mr. Mossbrucker shared his experience about conserving imitated elephants’ habitat by implementing Elephant in Sumatra) stable environment and providing all elephants need as in their natural habitat. Ex-situ Mr. Mossbrucker said that why we hard to conservation has to carry out together with find elephant in Sumatra is because of forest conservation in their real habitat. Gembira Loka degradation, land clearing for pulp and paper Zoo has function for education and research. production, and mine coal. Poacher who killed Visitors can learn about elephant activities and elephant to get ivory, be responsible for do interaction with the elephant. By knowing decreasing elephant population in Sumatra. more about elephant and getting close to wildlife, they will realize how important to save elephants’ life.