2025 Whitley Award winner Rahayu Oktaviani, known as Ayu, has been interviewed by BBC Indonesia, shining a spotlight on her impactful work to protect the Javan gibbon and its habitat.
“It is estimated that around 900 to 1,200 individuals [of Javan gibbons] inhabit the forests of Gunung Halimun Salak National Park, so this habitat is very important to protect and preserve.”
Human activities within and around the Gunung Halimun Salak National Park threaten the remaining forest, placing Javan gibbons at risk of isolation and local extinction. The feature explores how Ayu and her NGO Yayasan Konservasi Ekosistem Alam Nusantara (KIARA) are raising awareness, empowering local communities through initiatives such as Ambu Halimun, and promoting a sense of pride in coexisting with Javan gibbons.
With support from the Whitley Award, Ayu is expanding efforts to reconnect fragmented forests, build capacity with park rangers, and foster sustainable livelihoods locally—ensuring that the species’ distinctive call continues to echo through the rainforest for generations to come.
Read the full article, in Bahasa Indonesia with translation options, here.
