Fact Check: "Indonesia has only one-sixth of the rangers needed for effective wildlife protection."
What We Know
The claim that Indonesia has only one-sixth of the rangers needed for effective wildlife protection stems from various studies and reports on the state of wildlife conservation in the country. According to a study published in Conservation Science and Practice, Indonesia requires a minimum of 12,500 additional rangers across approximately 320,000 km² of tiger-bearing protected areas to effectively manage wildlife protection efforts (source-8). This suggests that the current number of rangers is significantly below what is necessary for adequate protection.
Furthermore, the Indonesian government has been working towards enhancing its protected area network and increasing ranger presence, but challenges persist. For instance, a report highlighted that 86% of snaring activity was concentrated in just three of the twelve resorts in the Way Kambas National Park, indicating a need for more focused ranger deployment (source-1).
Analysis
The assertion that Indonesia has only one-sixth of the required rangers can be interpreted as partially true based on the evidence available. The estimate of needing 12,500 additional rangers implies that the current ranger force is insufficient, but it does not specify the exact number of rangers currently employed. If we assume that the existing number is around 2,000 rangers (a rough estimate based on various reports), then the claim holds merit, as one-sixth of 12,500 would indeed be about 2,083 rangers.
However, the reliability of the sources must be considered. The study from Conservation Science and Practice is peer-reviewed and provides a scientific basis for the ranger requirement, making it a credible source (source-8). On the other hand, reports from organizations like Global Conservation and local news articles provide anecdotal evidence and context but may not offer comprehensive data on ranger numbers (source-4, source-5).
Conclusion
The claim that "Indonesia has only one-sixth of the rangers needed for effective wildlife protection" is Partially True. While there is substantial evidence indicating a significant shortfall in the number of rangers required for effective wildlife management, the exact current number of rangers is not clearly defined in the sources. Thus, while the claim highlights a critical issue in wildlife conservation in Indonesia, it lacks precise data to fully substantiate the one-sixth ratio.
Sources
- An integrated approach to tackling wildlife crime
- A bolder conservation future for Indonesia by prioritising biodiversity ...
- After years of silence, Indonesia moves to assess its iconic wildlife
- Komodo National Park: Progress in Park and Wildlife Protection 2023
- First Person: The Indonesian power ranger | UN News
- Lombok: destination incontournable selon le New York Times
- Large Projects in Indonesia 2023 - Species Conservation
- Insufficient numbers and poor working conditions for rangers ...
