Protecting Monkey and Gibbon Populations in Indonesia
In a powerful display of advocacy, a group of monkeys and gibbons made their presence known outside the Manggala Wanabakti complex, the Ministry of Environment and Forestry office in Palmerah, Central Jakarta. This group, accompanied by Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, and several wildlife influencers, gathered to raise awareness for their cause. What makes this gathering unique is that these animals were not alone—they were accompanied by volunteers from the Primates Fight Back Coalition, a collective of various wildlife protection organizations, artists, and conservation communities in Indonesia.
Demands for Protection
During this event, volunteers symbolically handed over at least 51,000 signatures of support, accumulated from four petitions initiated by coalition members. These petitions all share one common goal: to urge the Indonesian government to provide the necessary legal protection for monkeys and gibbons. Subsequently, a meeting was held with representatives from the Directorate of Conservation Areas and Wildlife (KKH), KLHK Public Relations, and KLHK Law Enforcement (Gakkum). The meeting discussed the formal steps needed to designate monkeys as protected species.
Theatrical Action
As part of this monkey conservation effort, a theatrical performance was held by Wanggi Hoed, a mime artist and coalition member, along with his colleagues Raheli and Fernando. This performance depicted the suffering experienced by monkeys due to human exploitation. Wanggi is an active advocate in voicing social, cultural, human rights, and wildlife protection issues, including those affecting primates in Indonesia.
Call to Action
The presence of various coalition members at the KLHK Office today signals the culmination of concerns regarding the neglect of atrocities against long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) and pig-tailed gibbons (Macaca nemestrina) by the Indonesian government. This comes in the wake of a recent report titled “The Macaque Report: Indonesia’s Unprotected Primates” by Macaque Coalition Asia for Animals, highlighting the exploitation and decline of monkey populations due to hunting, illegal trade, and habitat loss.
In conclusion, the plight of monkeys and gibbons in Indonesia calls for urgent action and enhanced protection measures to preserve these vital species for future generations. The time to act is now before it’s too late. Let’s join hands to ensure a sustainable future for all living beings on our planet.
