Our Mission

We are a multidisciplinary group of scientists who envision a better conservation approach for underrepresented species. Started from a discussion about how little the effort and focus received by several taxa, we decided to collaborate and build a strong multidisciplinary network to get these taxa more attention.

Founded in 2024, we are formally registered as a non-profit in Indonesia with registration number No. AHU-0001312.AH.01.04.Tahun 2025.

Yayasan Species Obscura Indonesia's mission is to carry out evidence-based conservation for underrepresented, obscure, or endemic species through research and multidisciplinary activities, with a focus on ex-situ efforts. We welcome any scientists, artists, or educators with passions in underrepresented taxa to join us.

Meet The Team

A team of multi-disciplinary scientists and artists working tirelessly for various taxa.

Anargha Setiadi

A marine ecologist and science communicator with experiences on coral reefs and (marine) lakes.

Executive Director

Collection Director

Program Director

Treasury

Botany Program Manager

Botany Co-Program Manager

Herpetofauna Program Manager

Herpetofauna Team

Invertebrates Program Manager

Arthropod Program Manager

Creative Director

Science Communications Team

Visual Storyteller

Paleobotanist

Puspita Insan Kamil

Daniel Lumbantobing

Naufal Urfi

Umilaela Arifin

Diny Hartiningtias

Hani Ristiawan

Nathan Rusli

Raimer Helweldery

Alwan Alauddin Syah

Faiz Nashiruddin Muhammad

Franz Anthony

A. Restu Dwikelana

Joshua Irwandi

Hanny Oktariani

A social psychologist by training, with experiences in reptile conservation and science communication.

PhD in ichthyology and evolutionary studies, with years of working experience at natural history museums in USA.

A spider taxonomist and natural history enthusiast.

A herpetologist and educator who has led various multinational collaboration projects.

A botanist and educator in various topics from local food to urban biodiversity.

Forest ecologist, ethnobiology & botanical art enthusiast.

A herpetologist with over a decade of experience in herpetofauna husbandry and entrepreneurship.

A Papua-based conservationist, working with Indigenous people with a passion for snakes.

An aspiring aquarist and passionate science communicator.

An entomologist specializing in insect ecology and taxonomy, with a focus on agricultural systems.

A scientific illustrator working with invertebrates and paleontology.

A taxonomy photographer and biodiversity curator.

A documentary photographer and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in Breaking News Photography.

A paleobotanist with experience at museum and currently working for National heritage preservation efforts.

Secretary-General

Advisory Board

Prof. Mirza Kusrini

A senior herpetologist of IPB University, with experiences in in-situ and ex-situ research, education, and citizen science.

Chief Advisor

Supervisor

Harry Susianto

A senior psychologist of Universitas Indonesia, specializing in social intervention, behavioral change, and behavioral economics.