PANDA MOBILE WITH TARAKANITA GADING SERPONG LEARN ABOUT BIODIVERSITY
On July 26, 2019, WWF-Indonesia's Panda Mobile visited SMA Tarakanita Gading Serpong, Tangerang. The decades-old Catholic private school was holding its annual science and education exhibition. The series of events began with a science exhibition which was also an assignment of grade 11 students. The students displayed stories about the lives of animals of various sizes that live on land, rivers, and seas from Sabang to Merauke.
While the exhibition was running, Panda Mobile facilitators conducted a presentation on the theme of Indonesia's biodiversity in the classroom. The Panda Mobile team explained about several endemic animals that are only found in Indonesia, including Orangutans, Sumatran Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Sumatran Elephants and many more. Despite its rich biodiversity, Indonesia is also famous for having a long list of endangered wildlife. The main causes of wildlife extinction in Indonesia are habitat loss and forest degradation as well as illegal trade.
The students listened carefully to the Panda Mobile facilitator's explanation. Most of the students did not know that there are no more than 400 tigers in Sumatra, and only 60 Javan Rhinos left. Realizing these facts, the presentation session participants were enthusiastic to ask questions. "Why is it so difficult to meet rhinos in their natural habitat?" asked Joe, a student from Grade 10. Kak Raisha explained that rhinos are shy animals. So, if researchers want to meet a rhino, they must make their body smell like nature by not cleaning their body for two weeks.
Lastly, WWF staff explained the importance of reducing, reusing, and recycling waste-or potentially wasteful items. The students learned that instead of using tissue paper to dry their hands, they can clap their hands thirty times. This will help reduce the use of tissue paper and save the environment. WWF advised on the need to take action to save the environment now for a sustainable nature in the future.