JAKARTA 3 March 2016- The increasing number of protected wildlife deaths due to poaching shows that efforts to protect them and their habitats are not yet optimal. Throughout February 2016 alone, WWF-Indonesia recorded at least 18 protected wildlife crimes, such as the death of a Sumatran Elephant, the sale of Sumatran Tiger skin, and an attempt to smuggle pig-snouted turtles.

Referring to the data from the Tigers Alive Initiative (TAI) study, 8 forest rangers are needed every 100 km2. Therefore, based on the area of protected and conservation forests in Indonesia, there should be at least 48,000 forest police personnel to maintain the integrity of the forest including all flora and fauna resources in it. Meanwhile, based on data from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) in 2015, there are currently only around 8,000 forest police personnel. Of these personnel, 5,000 are managed by local governments, and the rest are under the responsibility of KLHK).

Not only the number, the capacity and equipment of forest rangers must also be improved. The task of forest rangers is a dangerous job, it is not enough to capitalize on courage, but needs to be supported by adequate equipment to face the development of challenges in the field.

"It is urgent for Indonesia to increase the number of forest rangers, in order to curb the rate of forestry crimes, especially against protected wildlife," said Arnold Sitompul, Conservation Director of WWF-Indonesia. Arnold continued, "Forest rangers are one of the important instruments in the effort to strengthen the security of conservation areas and protected species, which are the nation's assets."

On World Wildlife Day (WWorld WWildlife Day) which is celebrated every March 3, WWF launched the results of a perception study of forest rangers. The study was conducted on 530 forest ranger respondents in 11 tiger range countries, including Indonesia. The results showed that 63 percent felt they faced dangerous situations and 74 percent felt they lacked equipment to work. In addition, 48 percent of respondents said they had not received sufficient training and as many as 30 percent said this work was not adequately rewarded.

World Wildlife Day 2016 has the theme "The Future of Wildlife is in Our Hands". This theme is meant to increase the awareness of the world community in protecting the wildlife on earth.

"It takes the efforts of all parties, including each of us, to preserve and protect forests and the wildlife in them," said Arnold. As citizens, we can also take part, for example by reporting incidents of forestry and wildlife crimes to local authorities.

For more information, please contact:

Diah R. Sulistiowati, Forests and Species Campaign Coordinator, WWF Indonesia
Email: dsulistiowati@wwf.id, Hp: 0811-100-4397