Jakarta, August 11, 2024. Chicco Jerikho released the first installment of his documentary film titled Sharing Space. This film symbolizes positive action to voice that wildlife has the right and space to live alongside humans without conflict. The educational footage that we can see in full through Chicco's YouTube channel is also part of the #BerbagiRuang campaign which wants to invite all parties to realize a harmonious life with wildlife.

Having the same concern, several top artists such as Aurelie Moeremans, Ganindra Bimo, Andrea Dian, Dela Dartyan, and Asri Welas are also involved in this campaign to create an inspiring and enlightening action. These celebrities agreed that they wanted to be actively involved in supporting the efforts of the parties to raise public awareness of the importance of maintaining the balance of nature for a better future. With the same mission, WWF-Indonesia supports the action with the hashtag #BerbagiRuang which emphasizes digital platform-based campaigns.

Chicco Jerikho started #BerbagiRuang because his heart was disturbed by the negative interactions (conflicts) between elephants and humans that are increasingly prevalent. Over the past 10 years, human-elephant conflicts have continued to increase. Based on Kompas R&D records, during the 2019-2023 period there were 787 conflicts between wildlife and humans. In this record, 583 cases involved Sumatran elephants. The triggers varied, ranging from land conversion within the animal corridor, illegal logging, to inappropriate cultivation area management (such as overlapping elephant habitat with community gardens). Ultimately, these negative events take a toll on both elephants and humans.

Chicco Jerikho who acted as an actor and producer of this documentary said, "This film is a medium for me to visualize my concern and care for elephants, as one of the wildlife species protected by the government. IUCN, a world conservation organization, has categorized this animal as critical or at high risk of extinction in the wild. That's why I was moved to take a positive action that will hopefully open our eyes and raise our awareness to find solutions together. Not to blame each other."

The Kite Entertainment owner underscored a key message after completing the trip, "We can reduce the adverse risks of human-wildlife conflict by sharing space. This concept supports a healthy ecosystem for people, wildlife, and nature."

This first edition of the documentary follows Chicco Jerikho, Ganindra Bimo, and Aurelie Moeremans' journey to the Sumatran Elephant habitat in Aceh. The three of them tracked and learned various stories of Sumatran Elephants from several areas in Central Aceh, such as Peusangan corridor, Pantan Lah Village, and Negeri Antara Village, Bener Meriah, and Karang Ampar Village. This inspirational and educational show will be published in several series with other wildlife topics. Through this movie, Chicco wants to invite the public (including the parties) to watch closely the lives of wildlife that are increasingly pressured due to narrowing space. Chicco also hopes that through this movie, audiences will be able to explore the issue of coexistence between humans and wildlife. Together with the Kite Entertainment production team, Chicco divided their journey into three episodes.

Ganindra Bimo, actor and presenter, shares his experience after shooting during a trip with the #BerbagiRuang team in Aceh. The former MTV 2004 VJ shared, "It turns out that negative interactions between wildlife and humans in Aceh can be overcome if we share space. We as humans must understand the need for space for animals, because we are the ones who enter their habitat. The actor, who is fondly called Bimo, added, "We as urbanites also have a very important role in overcoming human-wildlife conflict."

Aurelie Moeremans conveyed the message that her involvement as an artist in this documentary is a tangible manifestation of her concern for the importance of maintaining the sustainability of the lives of protected animals, such as elephants. "This journey is also to answer my curiosity and optimism that #BerbagiRuang is the middle way for everyone. I believe #BerbagiRuang can be one of the solutions by embracing all parties to share their roles," continued Aurelie.

Based on data from the Aceh Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA), between 2012-2017, 68 elephants were recorded dead, 55 of which (81%) were caused by conflicts with humans. In addition to elephant deaths, this conflict also resulted in at least 11 people injured and eight people died. Not to mention the economic losses caused by these wildlife conflicts.

Aditya Bayunanda, CEO of WWF-Indonesia said, "WWF-Indonesia welcomes this initiative and supports all parties who want to actively participate to preserve Indonesia's wildlife. Negative interactions between humans and wildlife cannot be solved partially, it takes tremendous efforts to save them".

Aditya explained, "We invite all parties to support the government's efforts to jointly intervene to take a role according to their respective abilities and capacities. For example, the private sector can support by allocating their land that intersects with elephant habitat and movement paths as a safe space for elephants to find food and fulfill other life needs including exploring space. Such concrete actions will contribute significantly to mitigating negative interactions with elephants."

On the same occasion, Aditya emphasized, "Proactive steps need to be taken immediately through integrative and inclusive solutions so that wildlife and humans can share space harmoniously. This will not only save endangered protected animals but also the economy of the community. In addition, actions to protect forest habitats will help reduce the rate of climate change."

Ahmad Shalihin, Executive Director of WALHI Aceh, said, "To implement the concept of Sharing Space, together with the local government, we have tried to integrate spatial planning, as well as long-term and medium-term development plans. These documents provide an opportunity for local governments to develop programs, activities, and budgets needed to address wildlife-human interactions."

However, in the preparation of these documents, Ahmad emphasized that attention must be given to both parties, both wildlife and humans so that harmonious living and the ideals of Spatial Sharing can be realized. ,>

"#SharingSpace between elephants and humans is one of the keys to preventing negative interactions. By empowering local communities and involving them in conservation efforts, we can create a better understanding of the needs of elephants and how we can coexist with them in harmony. Through education, monitoring, and ongoing habitat protection efforts, as well as community assistance, we can ensure that elephants and humans can share space without harming each other. Together, we can create a safe and sustainable environment for all creatures. Sharing space and sharing roles," concluded Chicco.

The documentary film Berbagi Ruang will soon air on Chicco Jerikho's Youtube channel and be voiced through social media activation with the campaign hashtag #BerbagiRuang, hoping to raise awareness and encourage collective action on the importance of sharing space for future life. Together, we can ensure wildlife have the space and resources they need to coexist harmoniously with humans in nature.

Also present were supporting partners of the campaign namely Astra Isuzu, MING Promotion, Indosat, and Bank BRI..

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For further information, please contact:

• Karina Lestiarsi,

0852-1816-1683, klestiarsi@wwf.id

• Clara Egi, Kite Entertainment production house

0821-1040-2090

Editor's note

To actively participate in supporting the #BerbagiRuang campaign:

1. Join WWF Indonesia's Members of Nature via https://membership.wwf.id/id
2. Support via https://kitabisa.com/campaign/berbagiruangbersamagajah
3. Support through Brimo app - Donate A Gift for Nature (Download BRImo on Playstore/Appstore)
4. Youtube Chicco Jerikho https://www.youtube.com/@cjevlog

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