Herdhanu Jayanto
- Project name: Species to landscape: Sunda gharial conservation in Sumatera’s eminent peat swamp forest
- Project site: Upper Air Hitam Laut and Air Hitam Dalam river basins, Berbak-Sembilang National Park, Jambi Province, Indonesia
- EDGE species: Sunda Gharial, Tomistoma schlegelii
- Active: 2025 - ongoing
Biography
Herdhanu Jayanto (Dhanu) is a conservationist and co-founder of KONKLUSI (Kolaborasi Inklusi Konservasi), a grassroots non-profit organisation based in Indonesia. He has a strong academic background in biology and environmental science, with extensive research experience suitable for species-focused conservation. Dhanu holds an MSc in Environmental Science and Management from New Mexico Highlands University and a BSc in Biology from Universitas Gadjah Mada.
With over a decade of conservation experience, Dhanu has led and contributed to field research on various species, including crocodilians, echidnas, and turtles. He is a dedicated member of the IUCN SSC Crocodile, Pangolin, and Indonesia Species Specialist Groups, and has secured several small grants for the conservation of overlooked EDGE species in Indonesia. Through the EDGE Fellowship, Dhanu aims to enhance conservation efforts for the Sunda Gharial by combining field research with strategic partnerships. He is particularly passionate about inclusive conservation that values local expertise and empowers communities.
EDGE Project
Dhanu vision is a thriving peat swamp forest ecosystem in Sumatra that supports a resilient population of Sunda gharials and provides ecological and social benefits to local communities.
Through his EDGE Fellowship, Dhanu will build the first robust dataset on Sunda gharials (Tomistoma schlegelii) in the upper Air Hitam river basins of Berbak-Sembilang National Park, one of the species’ most important remaining habitats. By working closely with park rangers, local students, and communities, the project will lay the groundwork for a long-term monitoring and management programme for this highly threatened crocodilian.
