Identifikasi Potensi Perburuan Satwa Liar Di Kawasan Taman Hutan Raya Raden Soerjo Hutan Desa Ngembat Kabupaten Mojokerto

Wildlife hunting poses a significant threat to biodiversity conservation in Raden Soerjo Grand Forest Park (Tahura R. Soerjo), one of conservation areas in East Java. Over the past decade, persistent illegal hunting activities have been reported, particularly in Ngembat Village, which borders the protected forest. This study aims to identify the hunted wildlife species, the hunting techniques, and the social, economic, and cultural factors influencing illegal hunting practices. The research was conducted in February 2025 in Ngembat Village, Mojokerto Regency. A qualitative descriptive method was applied, utilizing interviews, participatory observations, and documentation, analyzed through the Miles and Huberman interactive model, using NVivo software. Informants included local residents, community leaders, village officials, and conservation officers with direct knowledge of the issue. Findings reveal 16 hunted wildlife species, seven of which are legally protected, such as the timor deer (Rusa timorensis), barking deer (Muntiacus muntjak), pangolin (Manis javanica), porcupine (Hystrix javanica), javan hawk-eagle (Nisaetus bartelsi), and javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus). Common hunting methods include passive snares and bird traps due to their low cost and simplicity. Social conditions marked by a dominant productive-age population, low education levels, and economic dependence on agriculture have exacerbated hunting practices. Additionally, local cultural values contribute to social tolerance of these activities. Therefore, conservation efforts must adopt an integrated ecological and socio-cultural approach.