IPB University Fauna Conservation Union Conducts Wildlife Observation at Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center
Wildlife may no longer be familiar, or even has become a characteristic for the Student Activity Unit (UKM) of the Fauna Conservation Union (UKF) IPB University. Not long ago, UKF start to observe a place that has the potential to become a habitat for various types of wildlife. UKF successfully recorded the diversity of wildlife species including mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians at the Bodogol Nature Conservation Education Center (PPKAB), Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park.
Novia, the chief organizer of the activity said that observation is one of the basic education series for prospective new members of UKF. “This observation activity aims to introduce scientific studies on wildlife, so that the practice carried out is the observation of animals and their habitats,” she said.
Novia continued, UKF managed to obtain findings of various types of wildlife, from the mammal group, for example, there were surili (Presbytis comata), Javan gibbon (Hylobates moloch), and root squirrel (Tupaia glis).
“Another interesting finding is that one of our members found feces from a big cat, the Javan leopard (Panthera pardus melas). Not only wildlife, UKF also analyzed habitat quality through data collection of vegetation structure and composition and measurement of water quality through macrozoobenthos bioindicators,” said the president of the UKM engaged in conservation.
Arya, one of the observation participants, said that the field experience was very enjoyable because he was able to meet various types of wildlife. “Although the activity was short, it was very memorable for me,” said Arya.
In addition, for some other participants, observation was the first time they went to the forest to collect data, so the experience gained was very valuable.
Virdhan, as president, hopes that the activities carried out by UKF can contribute to nature conservation and enrich information, especially for the Gunung Gede Pangrango National Park, as well as the general public. (Novia/Lp) (IAAS/Ard)
