BioAcoustic harmony for conservation: stories from SIMBA 2025
Acoustic recorders are one of the tools that can be used to monitor biodiversity, although their use is still relatively rare. At the end of last May, I had the opportunity to attend Symposium of Indonesia-Malaysia Bioacoustics 2025 (SIMBA 2025) di Universiti Terengganu Malaysia.
The event was organized by the University of Terengganu Malaysia in collaboration with K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University dan Universitas Gadjah Mada. This activity is a forum to build a BioAcoustic network and exchange knowledge for BioAcoustic practitioners, especially in Indonesia and Malaysia.
This is my second time participating in SIMBA, after previously participating in SIMBA 2023 held at Gadjah Mada University. On this occasion, I represent Yayasan Initiasi Alam Rehabilitas Indonesia (YIARI) to deliver the interim results of our research on the sound response of Bornean orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus) and kelawo Gibbons (Hylobates albibarbis) to anthropogenic sounds in the Pematang Gadung Village Forest of West Kalimantan.
This experience was a very valuable experience for me because I was able to share the results of the hard work of the Pematang Gadung Village Forest Management Institute (LPHD) and YIARI in maintaining the Pematang Gadung Village Forest and get direct input from BioAcoustic experts. Not only that, I also had the opportunity to meet old friends and new friends of bioacoustic researchers with their equally interesting research and opportunities to learn and collaborate in the future.
The keynote speaker at the symposium was Dena Jane Clink from K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell University dan Asman Adi Purwanto dari BISA Indonesia. The speaker delivered about the development of the use of BioAcoustic recording devices as an important tool in efforts to protect biodiversity. This method is a non-invasive method that allows large-scale data collection to understand biodiversity, including species distribution, behavior patterns, and threats to ecosystems.
Speakers emphasised the importance of building networks to blend scientific research and conservation action in harmony. Two key emerging initiatives— The BEAT program and SIMBA-are platforms for BioAcoustic practitioners to address challenges such as lack of access to technology and knowledge by fostering collaboration between researchers, local communities, NGOs and governments. This initiative actively plays a direct role in species conservation efforts in Indonesia and Malaysia.
In addition to participating in the symposium, I had the opportunity to visit the Wetland School of Setiu, which is a community empowerment program initiated by UMT. Here I learned about the culture of the Setiu people, learned to make satar (typical Terengganu snacks) and made woven mats from sea pandan accompanied directly by Setiu’s native mothers. Uniquely, the Setiu people have a fish listener culture that has been passed down from generation to generation to help find fish. Unfortunately, very few people still have this ability.
Through this short article, I share a pleasant and valuable experience for me. Thanks to K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, Cornell Lab of Ornithology dan Universiti Terengganu Malaysia atas pengalaman yang berharga serta memberikan wadah bagi para pejuang bioakustik untuk belajar dan bertumbuh. See you next time!
Featured Image: Kennedi delivers a presentation (Muhajir Hasibuan)