Eight Javan Leopards Identified in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A Javan leopard population survey within the Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) has identified at least eight individuals as of July 2025. This data serves as the basis for developing conservation strategies for the endemic species, which is increasingly threatened by habitat loss.

The survey is part of the Java Wide Leopard Survey (JWLS), conducted since 2024 by Bakti BCA in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry, the TNBTS Main Office, and the SINTAS Indonesia Foundation. The program supports the development of the Strategy and Action Plan for the conservation of Javan leopards (Panthera pardus melas).

The results of the initial phase recorded eight individuals, comprising one male, six females, and one cub, while further surveys continue throughout 2026.

Navigating Habitat Loss and Human Interaction

Hariyo Wibisono, Director of the SINTAS Indonesia Foundation, stated that landscape changes driven by the expansion of human activities over recent decades have narrowed the Javan leopard’s habitat. This shift has forced the animals out of their natural range and increased the potential for human-wildlife interactions.

"The forest is their home, and human presence in the vicinity inevitably has an impact; yet, as long as we do not disturb or provoke them, wildlife like the Javan leopard will not attack," Hariyo said in a written statement on May 4, 2026. "If sharing space becomes increasingly difficult, sharing time is the most realistic solution to coexist and survive."

Local residents living near the forest have also noticed these changes. Randi, a resident of Ranu Pani, noted that the appearance of leopards near settlements is not without cause.

"Leopards are wild animals, and it is natural for them to behave as such, especially if they are close to livestock. However, we understand that if they approach the village, there must be a reason, perhaps the ecosystem has been disturbed," he remarked.

He emphasized that habitat preservation is the primary solution, rather than simply driving the animals away. "If their environment is secure, they will not descend toward residents. It is not about displacement, but about how we can collectively preserve the area so that humans and leopards can coexist."

Hera Haryn, EVP of Corporate Communication & Social Responsibility at private lender BCA, stated that this contribution reinforces data-driven conservation management efforts initiated in 2024. "At the same time, it supports the government in its endeavor to preserve Javan leopards in Indonesia," she noted.

In addition to population data collection, the program includes training in surveillance techniques using camera traps for dozens of participants from various conservation agencies. These efforts are expected to strengthen the data foundation and monitoring capacity, providing a basis for long-term wildlife conservation planning.

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