Conservation ofKomodo dragonsVaranus komodoensisin theWaeWuul nature reserve,Flores,Indonesia: a multidisciplinary approach

Abstract

Multidisciplinary conservation initiatives are increasingly advocated as best practice for recovering endangered species. The Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis is the world's largest lizard, of prominent conservation value as an umbrella species for protection of south‐east Indonesian ecosystems. Komodo dragons have faced multiple human‐related threat processes in the past 30 years and are listed on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and considered Vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. We report on a protection programme conducted from 2005 to 2012 in the Wae Wuul nature reserve, on the island of Flores, Indonesia. The Wae Wuul ranger post was completely rebuilt, and community awareness and involvement of local people in habitat‐protection schemes were regularly and successfully implemented. Local rangers were trained in wildlife‐monitoring techniques. Monitoring results indicated that Komodo dragon densities were lower in Wae Wuul than in the adjacent Komodo National Park; however, a relatively high level of genetic diversity was recorded for this population. Ungulate prey showed a relatively stable prey population density. Community‐based initiatives and regular wildlife monitoring are crucial to ensure the persistence of Komodo dragons on Flores. The Wae Wuul protection programme is providing several sustainability indicators by which informed management plans can be designed for long‐term conservation of Komodo dragons.

A frontier in the use of camera traps: surveying terrestrial squamate assemblages

“…Ariefiandy et al. (, , ) used meat baits to attract V. komodoensis to camera trap locations and found they were more effective than using cage traps to determine relative abundance.…”

Vegetation Composition of Savanna Ecosystem as a Habitat For The Komodo Dragon (<i>Varanus komodoensis</i>) on Padar and Komodo Islands, Flores East Nusa Tenggara Indonesia

“…The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensisis) the world's largest lizard, of prominent conservation value as an umbrella species for protection of south-east Indonesian ecosystems (A. Ariefiandy et al, 2015).…”

“…Species with limited distribution or rapidly decreasing range margins are particularly sensitive to processes of global change (A. Ariefiandy et al, 2015;Davis et al, 2016). Given the high extinction risk facing such species, conservation program is likely to require multidisciplinary approaches that address both the species itself as well as their habitats (Estoque, Estoque, & Murayama, 2012).…”

Introduction to Reptile Conservation

“…comm.). External funding, channelled through the Balai Besar Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam, has been used to rebuild a ranger post, train local rangers on how to monitor animals and conduct an awareness campaign for local people (Ariefiandy et al ., ).…”

“…However, an intensive programme of public awareness, information campaigns, community empowerment and capacity building has been necessary to protect the Philippine crocodile from poaching or killing after human–wildlife conflicts in its natural range. Similar public‐awareness campaigns and capacity‐building measures have been used to involve local communities in the conservation of the VU Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis in Flores (IUCN, ; Ariefiandy et al ., ), the Aruba Island rattlesnake Crotalus unicolor [IUCN, : Least Concern (LC)] (Odum & Reinert, ) and the VU Hungarian meadow viper Vipera ursinii rakosiensis (IUCN, ; Péchy et al ., ).…”