Bandar Lampung, October 18, 2016. Sumatra, one of the largest islands in Indonesia, has a very high wealth of wildlife, both flora and fauna. Various efforts and successes have been achieved to maintain its biodiversity, but on the other hand the challenges are getting bigger, the massive deforestation of Sumatra and the death of protected wildlife are increasingly rampant. To answer these challenges, an intense communication is needed from parties such as conservation activists, academics, the private sector, government and the public. This was made possible by the International Wildlife Symposium, (IWS) 2016.

The IWS was held on October 18-19, 2016 at the Rectorate Building of the University of Lampung with the theme "Wildlife conservation to support sustainable economy and livelihood". This is the third symposium, which has previously been conducted at other universities in Sumatra.

The purpose of this symposium is to share information about research that has been carried out and showcase experiences and results that have been achieved and lessons learned from various fields related to conservation, as well as updating technology to support wildlife conservation efforts and their relation to sustainable livelihoods, and the welfare of the community in general and buffer village communities in particular. IWS is more specifically aimed at increasing the capacity of Indonesian researchers, especially students, lecturers, researchers and practitioners from various institutions, to share and build networks. In order to strengthen this activity, on October 17, 2016, a workshop was held on "Technological innovations for wildlife conservation efforts" with the main speaker Dr. Rohit Singh from WWF Wildlife Crime Initiative.

"This activity is a place for interaction and cooperation between researchers both in the laboratory and in the wild, conservation activists, communities and stakeholders," according to the Rector of the University of Lampung, Prof. Dr. Ir. Hasriadi Mat Akin, M.P. Furthermore, he said, "it is hoped that this symposium will provide increased focus, understanding and steps for Indonesia's biodiversity in general and Sumatra in particular. Head of the Institute for Research and Community Service, University of Lampung, Ir. Warsono, Ph.D. stated "This symposium activity is a serious step and commitment from the University of Lampung and WWF Indonesia in following up on the cooperation that has been agreed upon and signed before.

This scientific activity is expected to be a meeting place for researchers from all over Sumatra Island with national and international researchers, in order to motivate conservation activists and the emergence of more young researchers". University of Lampung as a university will be a home for human resources and science, supported and in collaboration with conservation activist partners of Non-Governmental Organizations such as WWF-Indonesia, will be a strong milestone for wildlife conservation, especially those that are currently threatened with existence.

The Symposium will present international wildlife researchers, conservation practitioners and ecologists as key speakers, such as Dr. Barney Long from Global Wildlife Recovery, Dr. Ashley Brooks from WWF Tiger Alive initiative, drh. Dedi Chandra from Way Kambas National Park, Dr. Jatna Supriatna from the University of Indonesia, and Dr. Ahimsa Campoz-Arceiz from the University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus.

Sunarto, Ph.D wildlife ecologist WWF-Indonesia as well as the initiator of IWS said, "It is very important to find the next generation who can reveal the veil of the wealth of our own country so that we "know" ourselves as Indonesians who are very rich in biodiversity". Sunarto continued, "WWF-Indonesia strongly supports activities like this, to garner public support, and encourage the active role of various parties, as well as popularize natural science. The activity is also expected to encourage conservation regeneration in Indonesia."

The symposium was also opened by the Minister of Environment and Forestry Dr. Siti Nurbaya Bakar, represented by the Head of Way Kambas National Park, Timbul Batubara. The symposium will be attended by around 200 participants, with 69 papers, 14 in the form of posters. It is hoped that this symposium can sharply answer the role of wildlife conservation and its relation to sustainable sources of life as well as saving Indonesia's biodiversity.

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For further information, please contact:
1. Elly. L. Rustiati, Research Team of Puslitbang Lingkungan Hidup LPPM, University of Lampung
Email: ely_jazdzyk@yahoo.com; HP: 0813-1701-3355
2. Anastasia Joanita, Media Relations Officer WWF Indonesia 2.
Email: ajoanita@wwf.id, HP: 0813-1654-8778