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Herbivora 2024 Public Lecture: Exploring Sumatran Rhino and Elephant Conservation, and Equine Clinical Practice
Minat Profesi (Minpro) Rothschildi Wildlife Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Udayana University (FKH Unud) successfully held a Herbivore Cluster Public Lecture on Saturday, 23 November 2024, online using the Zoom Meeting platform. This event raised the theme “From Clinic to Wilderness: Efforts to Save Endangered Herbivores!”, aims to provide in-depth insight into the importance of herbivore wildlife conservation such as Sumatran rhinos and elephants, from a clinical perspective to habitat protection in the wild. The event was officially opened by the Vice Dean III of FKH Unud and attended by the Supervisor of Wildlife Minpro Rothschildi. This public lecture was attended by 153 participants from six Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Indonesia, including Udayana University, Gadjah Mada University, Airlangga University, Riau University, Wijaya Kusuma University, and Syiah Kuala University.
The event invited two veterinarians who are experts in the field of management, health, and conservation of herbivorous wildlife. The first presentation was delivered by a veterinarian from Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI), drh. Dedy Surya Pahlawan, with the topic “Rhino Rumble: A Wild Ride Through the World of Rhinos”. In his presentation, drh. Dedy comprehensively explained the ecology and behaviour of Sumatran rhinos, the threats they face such as poaching and habitat loss, and various conservation efforts, including captive breeding programs and the recovery of Sumatran rhino populations in the wild. The activity continued with the second material, with the topic “Life on the Edge: The Sumatran Elephants Battle to Preserve the Wild”, by the Leuser Conservation Forum (FKL) wildlife veterinarian, drh. Mahmudi. This material thoroughly explores the current condition of the Sumatran elephant population in the Leuser Ecosystem, mitigation strategies such as tame elephant patrols, and the creation of animal corridors.
This public lecture was also accompanied by a workshop themed “Hands-On Equine Clinical Care” which became one of the main attractions in this series of events. The workshop was held on Sunday, 24 November 2024, offline at the Royal Sport Horse, Nusa Dua. The workshop was designed to provide an in-depth learning experience through hands-on equine practice. Through the guidance of experts, participants can hone their skills in real time and bridge the theory they have learnt through practice in the field.
Through the implementation of this activity, it is hoped that participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the biology, ecology and conservation aspects of herbivorous wildlife, especially Sumatran rhinos and Sumatran elephants as Indonesia's iconic herbivore species.
Author : Ardelia LPM SS
Editor : Harry LPM SS
UDAYANA UNIVERSITY