The practice of bird keeping in Java and Bali, Indonesia threatens wild-bird populations. In Indonesia there is little evidence to suggest that regulatory policy instruments are having any meaningful effect on the practices of keeping and trading that generate large domestic markets for wild-caught birds. Given this we initiated a project to develop and assess a non-state, market-based instrument aimed at reducing the volume of wild-caught birds in domestics markets through promoting a switch to captive bred alternatives.
We assembled a project team involving Burung (formerly BirdLife(Indonesia)), The bird-keeper association Pelestari Burung Indonesia, the market research company Nielsen-Indonesia and the social enterprise Aksenta. Together we implemented mixed methods research involving: 1) a questionnaire survey and media analysis to generate overview data on the scale and attributes of birdkeeping and scope out the key actors and networks and motivations that need to be influenced, and 2) in-depth interviews and workshops that aimed to reveal insights on the contemporary culture of bird keeping in Indonesia and identify and engage influential actors within the bird-keeper fraternity in the development of a suitable and effective policy approach.
We identified seven distinct communities of practice who shape fashions, trends and practises in the hobby. Together we developed a prestige led, voluntary market-based instrument that aims to bring about a switch from keeping wild caught birds to captive bred alternatives. This instrument comprises five components: 1) creation of a national system to certify breeders, 2) creation of networks of breeders, 3) promoting the prestige of ring classes at song contests, 4) promoting regular informal communication between breeders, leading hobbyists, bird related businesses and conservation NGOs and 5) a social marketing campaign targeting the general bird keeper.
Output
Project web-links
- Project webpage on Burung Indonesia website
- Pelestari Burung Indonesia (PBI)
- Birdkeeping Indonesia Blog
Publications
- Jepson, P., Ladle, R.J. and Sujatnika (2011) Assessing market-based conservation governance approaches: a socio-economic profile of Indonesian markets for wild birds. Oryx, 45(4): 482-491. (Download PDF PDF: 233.6 KB © Cambridge University Press).
- Kristianto, I. and Jepson, P. (2011) Harvesting Orange-headed Thrush Zoothera citrina chicks in Bali, Indonesia: magnitude, practices and sustainability. Oryx, 45(4): 492-499. (Download PDF PDF: 488.6 KB © Cambridge University Press).
- Jepson, P., Prana, M., Sujatnika and Amama, F. (2009) Developing a certification system for captive-bred birds in Indonesia. TRAFFIC Bulletin.
- Jepson, P. and Ladle, R.J. (2009) Governing bird-keeping in Java and Bali: evidence from a household survey. Oryx, 43(3): 364-374.
- Jepson, P. (2008) Orange-headed thrush and the avian X-factor. Birding Asia, 9: 58-60.
- Jepson, P. and Cooney, R (2006) The need for flexibility in wildlife trade policy: a response to Burton. Oryx, 40(3): 261-265.
- Cooney, R. and Jepson, P. (2006) The international wild bird trade: what's wrong with blanket bans? Oryx, 40(1): 18-23.
- Jepson, P. and Ladle, R. (2005) Bird-keeping in Indonesia. Conservation impacts and the potential for substitution-based conservation responses. Oryx, 39(4): 442-449. Appendices
