Javan Langur Center (JLC)

Contents

• Javan Langur Center (JLC)
• Brief Information of Javan langurs
• Javan langurs’ threats

 

Javan langur Center (JLC) is a combined program of Javan langur conservation including:

• Javan langurs’ treatment and quarantine program in Petungsewu wildlife rescue center.
• Rehabilitation and forest reintroduction (soft release) program.
• Habitat analysis program of the release locations.
• Javan langurs’ release program in the Wildlife Reserve of Hyang Highland, the National Park of Bromo Tengger Semeru, the Nature Reserve/ Eco Tourism of Ijen crater lake, and other conservation areas in Java island.
• Javan langurs’ post-release monitoring program.
• Javan langurs’ research in their natural habitats.
• Protection program of the forests that become the habitats of Javan langurs.
• Education and awareness program on javan langurs and the habitas conservation.

JLC program is conducted by ProFauna Indonesia and PPS Petungsewu Foundation in collaboration with the Natural Resources Conservation Center of Eas Java forestry department. From 2004 to 2007, JLC center has released 54 Javan langurs to their habitats, i.e. :

• 7 langurs released to the Wildlife Reserve of Hyang Highland (2004)
• 41 langurs released to the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (2006)
• 6 langurs released to the Wildlife Reserve of Hyang Highland (2007)

Brief Information of Javan langurs

Javan langurs (Trachypithecus auratus) live in mangrove forest, lowland to highland forest in Java, Bali, and Lombok islands. Javan langurs live in group consisting of six to 25 individuals. In a group, there is one male adult acts as the group leader, some female adults, and youngs.

Javan langurs are active during the day (diurnal) and some of them live at the top a tree (arboreal). The species eat 50% leaves, 32% fruits, 13% flowers, and the rest is insects. The territory is between 15 to 23 hectares, with daily movement ranges from 500 to 1,300 meters.

Javan langurs have been protected by the Indonesian law since 1999. It means that the species trade and pet ownership are prohibited. According to the 1990 wildlife law regarding Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservations, trading in protected species is prohibited. Offenders will receive up to a 5 year jail sentence and up to IDR 100 millions (US$ 11,000) in fine.

IUCN Red List 2007 categorises Javan langur as Endangered (EN B1+2ab). Previously in 1996, Javan langur was Vulnerable. The changing status from vulnerable to endangered shows that Javan langurs in the wild are threatened.

Javan langurs’ threats

Despite being protected by the wildlife law, Javan langur is one of primate species that are being traded in Java and Bali. ProFauna records show that in 2004, there were at least 2,500 Javan langurs poached for trade to supply pet markets and delicacies. Some people in Bali and East Java believe that its bushmeat is aphrodisiac and can cure asthma.

Forests that become Javan langurs’ habitat are decreasing and degrading. Many of them are converted into farmland and housing sites. The remaining wild Javan langurs are in the conservation areas like: Baluran National Park, Merubetiri National Park, Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park, Sempu island Nature Reserve, Hyang highland Wildlife reserve, etc.