Abepura - Jayapura, December 13, 2023 – Indonesia is one of the countries in Southeast Asia with a rich biodiversity that attracts significant trade in domestic and international markets. According to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), Indonesia exported approximately 25,672 wildlife species to several other countries between 2016 and 2021.

The One Health Collaborating Center of Cendrawasih University (OHCC Uncen), together with Udayana University OHCC, had the opportunity to collaborate with the International Alliance Against Health Risks in Wildlife Trade (implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) to initiate the program "Application of the One Health Approach to Enhance Wildlife Protection Awareness (OHAWE) in Indonesia."

The main activity carried out was the development of a storybook titled "Spotty Cuscus and Gray Cuscus from Papua" for children aged 9-12 years. The messages from the storybook were then presented to selected elementary school students through storytelling activities. The book launch and storytelling event for Papuan students invited participants from Advent Abepura Elementary School, SDN 1 Abepura, and SDN 3 Abepura, held at the Praja Wira Yaakti Korem Hall in Abepura City, Jayapura. Led by storyteller Agustina Yufuai, the students were treated to a performance about cuscuses named Spotty and Gray, who encountered various situations of wildlife hunting by humans. Accompanied by amusing interactions between Spotty, Gray, and their life in the forest, the storytelling also emphasized to the students the importance of preserving the forest and protecting wild animals from unnecessary hunting and consumption.

The storybooks will also be distributed to other students after this event. Various parties will be involved in the distribution of this book, such as SDN 2 Abepura, YPK Yoka Baru Abepura Elementary School, elementary schools around Keerom, foundations or organizations concerned with children's literacy, the Jayapura City Library, and other OHCCs spread across various regions in Indonesia. It is hoped that these efforts to enhance public knowledge and awareness of the risks and threats of wildlife trade can reach children on a broad scale, enabling them to drive more significant change after developing respect and appreciation for wildlife conservation from an early age.