Protecting Three Endangered Endemic Species in the Sungai Wain Protection Forest

Timeframe: 2017 - 2018
Country/Region: East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo
Partner: Pro Natura Foundation

The Sungai Wain Protection Forest is the last intact example of coastal lowland rainforest in the region, with a near complete fauna and large stands of highly biodiverse old growth flora. Due to recent national law revisions, management authority of this forest is in transition causing a management vacuum. This project, supported by Fondation Segré and implemented by Pro Natura Foundation, will provide protection from poaching, encroachment and fire during this transition period, whilst strengthening the local constituency supporting conservation of SWPF. Three focal endemic species with significant populations in SWPF, listed as Endangered, will be monitored to demonstrate the efficacy of protection: the Bornean bay cat, Müller’s gibbon, and the Bornean peacock-pheasant.

Pro Natura Foundation has been managing SWPF in 2016 under an MoU with the Environment Department, and has been asked by the Provincial Forestry Department to continue this work into 2017-2018, until Forestry can source appropriate financial and human resources. To ensure that future post-project management remains focused on real needs and allocates resources appropriately, the project will assist with development of a 5-year (2019 – 2023) management plan that will define the mission statement for management, establish a collaborative management framework, and seek diversified funding streams.