83
Chapter 8: Togian babirusa Babyrousa togeanensis (Sody, 1949)of Togian and throughout the Malenge Islands. In contrast with
the hillside of Mt Benteng (altitude 542 m) in Togian Island
where the forest is relatively well protected with abundant fruit-
bearing trees, Batudaka has accelerated the development of
infrastructure toward the interior of the island for a long time.
Therefore, it is thought that the actual amount of suitable habitat
remaining on this island is considerably reduced. In the low-
lying region of central Togian, an increase in human activities
along the access to link both north and south shores may cause
further habitat fragmentation of the Togian population. On the
other hand, Malenge is the smallest island (ca. 1300 ha) among
the four where this species is found, and it seems that suitable
habitat is still present. However, some local farmers continue
their small-scale practice of forest conversion to agricultural
land and harvesting the forest resource, increasing the negative
impact on the long-term survival of the Malenge population.
Due to human expansion and settlement in the Togian
Islands, the remaining populations of babirusa may remain
increasingly isolated on each island, risking inbreeding and
reduction in genetic diversity. As this species has been observed
swimming among the Togian Islands, it is also important to con-
serve the coastal environment to ensure more contact between
populations inhabiting different islands.
Unfortunately, the concepts and principles of the estab-
lishment of this National Park have not been understood well
enough by local people and few show a positive attitude to forest
protection. Problems should be settled by further regular dia-
logues or interactive meetings involving government agencies,
local people, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), scien-
tists, and various other stakeholders. It is necessary to spend
plenty of time building the consensus of local people about
proper and reasonable land use that takes conservation of bio-
diversity and environment into consideration and reinforces the
effectiveness of patrols in the forest area in order to reduce illegal
activities. On the other hand, in order to minimize crop damage,
agricultural fences should be installed along the edge of the crop
field as an additional measure. Based on our observations that
the babirusa has a great jumping ability, sturdy fences of mini-
mum 150 cm height can be used. This is also effective for other
wild and domestic animals except the monkeys.
For more effective supports of in-situ conservation of this
species, conservation education to enhance public awareness
needs to be improved. The questionnaire survey conducted
on Malenge Island in 2007 revealed that local people’s knowl-
edge on this species is unexpectedly limited (Ito et al. 2008).
For example, when questioned about the range of litter size of
this species, 43 per cent of respondents answered with a larger
number than the normal litter size (1 or 2, Figure 8.5). In order
to clear up the misconception that this species is prolific and
overpopulation exists, public education to offer scientific infor-
mation on this endangered species is one of the top priorities
and requires continuous efforts (Ito 2008, 2010; Ito et al. 2008;
Menteri Kehutanan Republik Indonesia 2013).
On the basis of the main conservation issues, the government
agencies, local people, NGOs, scientists and various other stake-
holders should identify and implement several of the following
priorities for in-situ and ex-situ conservation of Togian babirusa:(1) Improve anti-poaching measures, in particular reducing
snaring and illegal killing in all sites where the species is
thought to remain.
(2) Improve protected area management in all the Togian
Islands where the species is still present.
(3) Increase the knowledge and awareness of local people,
improving the scientific information.
(4) Prevention of the illegal sale of wildlife parts if this is
applicable.
(5) Reduce illegal or otherwise poorly managed forest
clearance.
(6) Minimize crop damage with the implementation of fences
along the edge of cultivated areas.
(7) Improve our knowledge about babirusa biology, ecological
requirements, and behaviour.
(8) Set up an ex-situ conservation breeding programme to bear
the extensive international expertise on species recovery
programmes.
(9) Increase motivation and technical capacity for Togian
babirusa conservation and improving support from the
international community and donors.Status in Captivity
In the previous Indonesian National Conservation Action Plan
for the babirusa, an ex-situ conservation programme for Togian
babirusa was not included. Based on the conservation policy,
no attempts have been made to start a breeding programme and
no individual has been maintained in captivity. This is another
reason why the population of this endangered species and its
habitat have to be increasingly protected using proper manage-
ment tools.References
Akbar, S., Indrawan, M., Yasin, M. P.,
Burton, J. & Ivan, J. (2007). Status and
conservation of Babyrousa babyrussa
in the Togean Islands, based on direct
observations and questionnaire surveys
(intermittently, 1990–2001). Suiform
Soundings 7(1): 16–25.
Balik, I. W., Ito, M., Nakata, H. & Jaga, I. M.
(2005). Nest building of Celebes
babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa
celebensis). In Sugiri, N., Mustari,
A. H., Suwelo, I. S. & Djuwita, I. (eds.),
Kumpulan makalah seminar sehari peduli
Anoa dan Babirusa Indonesia. Bogor,
Indonesia: Institute Pertanian Bogor,
pp. 84–89.
Cannon, J. & Surjadi, P. (2004). Informing
natural resources policy making using
participatory rapid economic valuation
(PREV): the case of the Togean Islands,Indonesia. Agriculture, Ecosystems and
Environment 104: 99–111.
Froehlich, J. W. & Supriatna, J. (1996).
Secondary intergradation between
Macaca maurus and M. tonkeana in
South Sulawesi, and the species status of
M. togeanus. In Fa, J. E., & Lindburg,
D. G. (eds.), Evolution and Ecology
of Macaque Societies. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, pp.43–70..01012:33:30