Bawean Island Citizens' Perception and Attitude toward the Existence of Bawean Deer (Axis kuhlii) and Its Habitat

Abstract

Bawean deer (Axis kuhlii) is an Indonesian endemic - animal species that is categorized as Critically Endangered by IUCN and listed on Appendices I by CITES. This study aims to analyse Bawean citizens' perceptions and attitude to forest and the Bawean deer. The study was conducted by direct interviews and field observations. The respondents were determined by purposive sampling and quota sampling resulted in 191 respondents. The result indicates that the Bawean citizens have a low education level. Some of them finished education after elementary school (39.89%) and have not even completed this level 41.49%. Most of the Bawean citizens work as farmers (62.23%) and rely on the forest for their livelihoods, such as hunting for fresh meat. It is concluded that the educational background and well-being level of the Bawean citizens influence the perception of Bawean deer and wildlife reserve forest. Further, it will affect the existence and sustainability of the forest ecosystem. The citizens' attitudes towards the environment will be favourable if they have a high education level and forest supervision is held continuously.