Conservation Forum Urges Education, Rehab for Rare Sunda Birds

RRI.CO.ID, Bandung – A conservation forum is calling for stronger education and rehabilitation programs to protect the rare Sunda Black‑naped Oriole (Ekek Keling Sunda) in West Java, highlighting the need for broader public awareness alongside concrete conservation steps.

National Coordinator of the Indonesian Conservation Cadre Communication Forum (FK3I), Dedi Kurniawan, said in Bandung on Thursday, August 27, 2026, that attention to the species must go hand in hand with practical measures.

“The proposal to make this bird a mascot is symbolic, but what matters is how the West Java administration and the central government cooperate to build education and rehabilitation centers,” he explained.

He emphasized that education should target both communities living near the bird’s habitat and the wider public to raise awareness of endangered species. FK3I has proposed outreach campaigns in habitat areas and urban centers to strengthen public concern and discourage poaching.

“Education in habitat areas can foster local stewardship, while urban outreach helps mitigate threats to the species,” Dedi noted, adding that detailed studies of the bird’s population and distribution are needed to guide effective protection strategies.

West Java’s rich ecosystems, he said, require careful management. FK3I is urging the Ministry of Forestry to conduct thorough research on the bird’s population and limit human intervention in its habitat.

The forum also pledged support for government efforts to expand education and conservation campaigns. “We are ready to back initiatives that broaden public attention to the Sunda Black‑naped Oriole,” Dedi affirmed.

By combining education, rehabilitation, and scientific study, FK3I hopes to ensure the survival of the species while reinforcing West Java’s reputation as a center of biodiversity. ***