Dwi Agustina
Parrots are the most popular species among pet birds, and hence, they are also the most exploited in legal and illegal wildlife trade due to their uniqueness and intelligence. Wildlife trade data from Maluku, Indonesia, shows that birds were the most traded (86% of the species), and 96% of these bird species were parrots. All Indonesian parrots have been protected by law, and many are considered threatened on IUCN Red List, but this regulation is poorly enforced. Conservation projects often raise awareness among local communities and other stakeholders in an effort to reduce the illegal parrot trade. However, the effects of these projects are rarely measured empirically. Limited communication on wildlife regulations means that messages are not conveyed efficiently among locals, while the outputs of conservation projects and scientific findings are often considered less interesting and unpopular among the general public unless they are communicated in a more popular language. A review of conservation communication practices is important to understand the process of exchanging information, knowledge and local wisdom to create mutual understanding between parties in conservation management.
Communication participation of local community for conservation strategy. ©Dudi Nandika - KKI.
Related to this problem, this research focuses on communication patterns that can be applied and are useful for increasing awareness among the public and stakeholders in an effort to decrease the illegal parrot trade in Maluku, Indonesia. The research will identify the communication factor of parrot trade, poaching and other consumption in Maluku and challenges in communication efforts for wild parrot conservation and habitat distribution to the community and stakeholders. It will analyse communication patterns for framing messages about parrot conservation efforts to raise awareness, touching the emotional side of stakeholders by influencing public opinion to support the conservation mission. It will also provide a capable platform for facilitating the process of exchanging information, knowledge and wisdom to create conditions for mutual understanding, and can provide benefits for all parties. It is important to make scientific research and conservation management easier to understand, simplified, communicable, and more inclusive though popular media to spread knowledge. New breakthroughs in communication patterns to make campaign media more attractive and able to frame messages about parrot conservation efforts, to increase awareness by touching the emotional side of stakeholders and influencing public opinion to support conservation missions, are very necessary.