Sunda Pangolin Conservation Governance (Manis javanica, Desmarest 1822) in the Bukit Barisan Selatan Landscape

Abstract

The Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica) is a nocturnal, ant- and termite-eating mammal that is legally protected at the national level and strictly prohibited from international trade. Globally, the species is classified as Critically Endangered due to persistent and poorly controlled transnational illegal wildlife trade. Strengthening the ecological and socio-institutional foundations of in-situ conservation has therefore been widely recommended by the international scientific community. However, pangolin conservation is highly complex and cannot be addressed by a single approach. A primary source of this complexity lies in data limitations. To date, reliable information on the spatial distribution of the Sunda pangolin and its habitat-use patterns across different land-cover types remains limited. This is largely due to the species’ movement across multiple habitat types and administrative boundaries, including areas outside protected zones. Such conditions complicate the determination of appropriate spatial scales and management boundaries for effective conservation. Additional complexity arises from stakeholder dynamics: the level of concern among actors living in and around pangolin habitats, as well as the relative importance of key biophysical and socio-economic factors influencing pangolin conservation, remains underdocumented. Policy opportunities and their implementation relevant to pangolin conservation also remain poorly articulated. Given that these factors jointly determine conservation success, this study aims to: (1) map the actual and potential distribution of pangolin habitats based on historical records and ecological evidence, including contributions from local ecological knowledge; (2) analyze stakeholder perspectives and their orientations toward key conservation drivers; (3) evaluate the prevailing policy framework (rules-in-form) supporting pangolin conservation; and (4) formulate inclusive, adaptive, and sustainable conservation intervention strategies. The study was conducted in the Bukit Barisan Selatan (BBS) landscape, Lampung Province, using an integrative research design that combined ecological, social, and policy analyses. Data were collected through focus group discussions (FGDs) and semi-structured interviews with 12 stakeholder types, selected purposively based on direct involvement, representation of land-use and residential typologies, empirical knowledge, and socio-spatial variation. Snowball sampling with a purposive start was used for sensitive informants, such as former poachers and hunters, who were interviewed in depth until data saturation was achieved, in accordance with the principles of free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). Local ecological knowledge on pangolin habitat characteristics, particularly from local communities, was verified through field surveys. Triangulation was further conducted through expert interviews, complemented by a literature review. Habitat distribution was analyzed using MaxEnt modeling and validated with verified local ecological knowledge. Social–institutional dimensions, inter-factor relationships, and actor orientations were examined using MICMAC and MACTOR. Content analysis was applied to identify gaps between formal regulations and field-level practices, while all findings were synthesized through prospective analysis using MULTIPOL. The results show that the Sunda pangolin occupies mosaic habitats consisting of secondary forest–coffee or damar agroforestry–shrubland across steep to gentle slopes at elevations of 1,000–1,300 m above sea level. Suitable habitats are characterized by the presence of tree, soil, or rock burrows associated with ant nests and nearby water sources, supported by ecological evidence such as shed scales and claw marks on trees. Of all pangolin presence points identified within the BBS landscape (±4.54 million ha), approximately 70% were located within protected areas, while the remaining 30% occurred in protected forests, production forests, and Other Land Use (OLU; locally referred to as Areal Penggunaan Lain, APL). The presence of pangolins in OLU (11%) confirms that their habitat extends beyond administrative boundaries and formal land-use designations. This pattern is supported by MaxEnt modeling results (AUC = 0.864 ± 0.044), indicating moderate-to-high habitat suitability outside protected areas. Although unevenly distributed, local ecological knowledge proved relatively accurate and complemented ecological evidence, underscoring the importance of integrating formal conservation areas with locally managed landscapes. Across the 12 stakeholder types, instrumental values toward pangolins were more prominent than intrinsic values. Factor analysis identified seven key leverage factors, predominantly shaped by socio-economic dimensions—particularly tenure security (AksesPasti), livelihood diversification (DiversiEco), and incentives for pangolin protection (ImbalSerah). Ecological ethics (HakHidup) and coexistence (Koeksisten) emerged as downstream outcomes rather than primary drivers of behavioral change. Institutionally, collaborative conservation is widely recognized as necessary, encompassing control of price information (StopInfo), strengthened monitoring and financing (PantauDana), consistent law enforcement (TegasHukum), and concrete field-level actions (AksiTapak). However, implementation remains weak and fragmented, particularly in efforts to develop community-based ex situ conservation integrated within in situ habitats (ComConserve), owing to the absence of clear technical mandates. Future conservation governance should focus on strengthening existing community partnerships toward genuine multi-stakeholder collaboration. Achieving this transition requires six multidimensional indicators: ecological sustainability, economic viability, social equity, legal certainty, accountability, and technological capacity. In this context, the concept of Preservation Areas (“Areal Preservasi”), as stipulated under Law No. 32 of 2024, offers an institutional opportunity to advance landscape-based conservation. Priority actions include establishing village conservation cadres, formal recognition of tenure and management rights, and providing performance-based incentive mechanisms. Ultimately, a paradigm shift in conservation is unavoidable as land-use dynamics continue to change. Science must serve as the foundational basis, enriched by local knowledge and strengthened stakeholder capacity, enabling ecological “cold data” to be transformed into more contextual, transparent, and accountable decision-making—or “warm data.”

Trenggiling Sunda (Manis javanica) merupakan mamalia nokturnal pemakan semut dan rayap yang dilindungi secara nasional dan dilarang keras diperdagangkan di tingkat internasional. Status perlindungan trenggiling Sunda di tingkat internasional terancam kritis (Critically Endangered) akibat perdagangan liar lintas negara yang sulit dikendalikan. Penguatan fondasi konservasi in-situ dari aspek ekologi dan sosial-kelembagaan merupakan rekomendasi utama dari komunitas ilmiah internasional. Namun, masalah yang dihadapi sangat kompleks dan tidak dapat diselesaikan dengan pendekatan tunggal. Kompleksitas utama bersumber pada data. Sampai saat ini kepastian distribusi trenggiling Sunda dalam habitat serta pola penggunaan habitat di beragam tutupan lahan masih terbatas atau belum sepenuhnya diketahui, terutama karena pergerakannya melintasi berbagai tipe habitat dan batas administratif, termasuk di luar kawasan konservasi. Situasi ini menyulitkan penentuan skala dan batas pengelolaan konservasi yang efektif. Faktor kompleksitas berikutnya adalah tingkat kepedulian stakeholder. Saat ini, tingkat kepedulian para pihak yang tinggal di sekitar habitat trenggiling dan faktor yang penting (biofisik maupuan sosial) bagi konservasi trenggiling belum terungkap sepenuhnya. Peluang-peluang kebijakan yang ada beserta implementasi yang penting bagi konservasi trenggiling juga belum terdokumentasikan. Mengingat berbagai faktor tersebut menentukan keberhasilan trenggiling di habitat in-situ, penelitian ini bertujuan untuk 1) memetakan distribusi habitat trenggiling (aktual dan potensial) berdasarkan catatan historis (bukti ekologis) dari pengelola lanskap, termasuk kontribusi pengetahuan lokal; 2) menganalisis perspektif stakeholder sebagai faktor penentu keberhasilan konservasi, beserta orientasi mereka terhadap faktor-faktor tersebut; 3) mengevaluasi kerangka kebijakan yang berlaku (rule-in-form) dalam mendukung konservasi trenggiling; dan 4) merumuskan strategi intervensi konservasi yang inklusif, adaptif, dan berkelanjutan. Pendekatan penelitian yang dilakukan di lanskap Bukit Barisan Selatan (BBS), Provinsi Lampung ini dirancang secara integratif dengan memadukan analisis ekologis, sosial, dan kebijakan melalui focus group discussion (FGD) dan wawancara semi-terstruktur. Partisipan ditentukan secara purposive berdasarkan keterlibatan langsung, keterwakilan tipologi wilayah tempat tinggal dan lahan yang dikelola, pengetahuan empiris, serta variasi sosial-spasial lainnya. Teknik snowball sampling with purposive start digunakan untuk informan sensitif seperti mantan pemburu, yang diwawancarai secara mendalam hingga saturasi (kejenuhan data) tercapai, dengan penerapan prinsip free, prior, inform, and consent (FPIC). Data pengetahuan lokal mengenai karakteristik habitat trenggiling dari stakeholder kunci terutama masyarakat lokal diverifikasi melalui survei lapangan. Triangulasi juga diterapkan melalui expert interview, sekaligus menjadi partisipan penelitian. Studi literatur juga diterapkan untuk memperkaya temuan dan sintesis. Distribusi habitat dianalisis menggunakan pemodelan MaxEnt dan divalidasi melalui pengetahuan lokal yang telah diverifikasi dalam basis data ilmiah. Aspek sosial–institusional, hubungan antarfaktor, dan orientasi aktor dianalisis menggunakan MICMAC dan MACTOR. Analisis konten (content analysis) diterapkan untuk mengidentifikasi kesenjangan antara aturan formal dan praktik lapangan. Terakhir, seluruh temuan disintesiskan melalui analisis prospektif MULTIPOL. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa trenggiling Sunda menempati habitat mosaik hutan sekunder–kebun kopi atau damar–semak pada lereng curam hingga landai, elevasi 1 000–1 300 mdpl, dengan keberadaan lubang kayu/tanah/batu yang berasosiasi dengan sarang semut dan sumber air. Bukti ekologis diperkuat oleh temuan lepasan sisik dan cakaran pada pohon. Dari seluruh titik presence di lanskap BBS (±4,54 juta ha), sekitar 70% berada di kawasan konservasi, sementara 30% lainnya tersebar di hutan lindung, hutan produksi, dan areal kelola masyarakat (APL). Porsi presence di APL (11%) menegaskan bahwa habitat trenggiling melampaui batas administratif dan fungsi kawasan. Hal ini diperkuat oleh pemodelan MaxEnt (AUC 0,864±0,044) yang menunjukkan probabilitas habitat sedang hingga tinggi di luar kawasan konservasi. Pengetahuan lokal yang relatif akurat, meski belum merata, melengkapi bukti ekologis dan menegaskan pentingnya sinergi antara kawasan formal dan ruang kelola lokal. Berdasarkan perspektif 12 tipe stakeholder yang teridentifikasi, nilai instrumental terhadap trenggiling lebih dominan dibandingkan nilai intrinsik. Analisis faktor mengidentifikasi tujuh faktor pengungkit utama, yang didominasi aspek sosial-ekonomi, terutama kepastian hak kelola (AksesPasti), diversifikasi penghidupan (DiversiEco), dan insentif atas perlindungan trenggiling (ImbalSerah). Faktor etika ekologis (HakHidup) dan koeksistensi (Koeksisten) muncul sebagai hasil akhir, bukan pendorong awal perubahan perilaku. Secara kelembagaan, konservasi kolaboratif dipandang perlu, mencakup pengendalian informasi harga (StopInfo), penguatan monitoring dan pendanaan (PantauDana), penegakan hukum yang konsisten (TegasHukum), serta aksi nyata di lapangan (AksiTapak). Namun implementasinya masih lemah dan terfragmentasi, terutama untuk mengembangkan konservasi ex-situ berbasis masyarakat dalam habitat in-situ (ComConserve), akibat ketiadaan mandat teknis (rule-in-form) yang jelas. Strategi yang dapat diterapkan ke depan bagi tata kelola konservasi trenggiling Sunda ialah mengoptimalkan kemitraan komunitas yang telah ada saat ini (S2) menuju kolaborasi multipihak yang nyata (S3). Capaiannya membutuhkan 6 indikator multidimensi, yakni lestari, ekonomi, sosial, hukum, akuntabilitas, dan teknologi. Dalam konteks ini, konsep Areal Preservasi sebagaimana diatur dalam UU No. 32 Tahun 2024 membuka peluang kelembagaan untuk mendorong konservasi berbasis lanskap dan kolaborasi multipihak. Aksi prioritas yang perlu diterapkan diantaranya kader desa (A4), pengakuan hak kelola (A5), dan tersedianya mekanisme insentif kinerja (A3). Hal ini penting agar perubahan perilaku dan “hati nurani ekologis” benar-benar tumbuh di lanskap. Sebagai langkah awal, perubahan paradigma konservasi menjadi keniscayaan, karena dinamika penggunaan lahan telah berubah. Sains perlu berperan sebagai fondasi utama, diperkaya oleh pengetahuan lokal dan peningkatan kapasitas pemangku kepentingan agar data ekologis (“cold data”) dapat ditransformasikan menjadi dasar pengambilan keputusan yang lebih kontekstual, transparan, dan akuntabel (“warm data”).