In July 2024, the BIMA Community Service Team from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya (FKH UB) successfully secured an opportunity to participate in the 2024 Research and Community Service Funding Programme organised by the Directorate of Research, Technology, and Community Service (DRTPM) of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Kemendikbudristek). In this programme, the FKH UB PKM team implemented a Community Partnership Empowerment scheme. The team consisted of three students—Salma Amanda Dascha, Putri Aulia Nur Azizah, and Aisyah Fitrianindita—under the leadership of drh. Reza Yesica, M.Sc., and was assisted by field supervisors drh. Gretania Residiwati, M.Si. Ph.D., drh. Habib Syaiful Arif Tuska, M.Si., and Drs. Budiono, M.Si. The PKM BIMA FKH UB team extends their gratitude to Mr. Heru Ismanto, Director of BumDes Hapsari, for agreeing to cooperate as a partner, and to Mr. Agung Priyono, Head of Desa Mejono, for welcoming the PKM programme, ensuring its smooth execution.
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya collaborated with BUMDes Hapsari, Gronjong Wariti, as a partner in this programme. The Gronjong Wariti Tourism Village, located in Kediri Regency, East Java, is a natural tourist destination offering beautiful scenery and a tranquil rural atmosphere. With various recreational facilities combining educational and entertainment elements, it has become a popular destination for families. Notably, there is no entry fee for visitors, only charges for the attractions they wish to enjoy. Gronjong Wariti provides a tourism experience that allows visitors to interact directly with nature. Its strategic and accessible location makes it popular among local and regional tourists. Popular activities here include the rainbow slide, swimming pool, ferris wheel, paddle boats, and various traditional games. One special and intriguing attraction is rabbit fishing. This rabbit fishing attraction has become a major draw in the tourism village, where children eagerly participate in feeding rabbits as if fishing. The attraction’s operators ensure that each child can play safely and enjoyably. This activity not only provides entertainment but also teaches children about patience, coordination, and direct interaction with animals. The high level of interest and satisfaction shown by children is evidence of the attraction’s success. Seeing this potential, the FKH UB PKM team was inspired to develop an Appropriate Technology (TTG) called “Kelin-Chill Ball”.
The Kelin-Chill Ball, which is part of the Hay Ball Enrichment concept, stands for “Kelinci Chill,” combining the words “Kelinci” (rabbit) and “Chill” (meaning relaxed or comfortable). This name reflects the product’s aim to provide comfort and reduce stress caused by constant interaction with visitors, allowing the rabbits to “chill” or feel calm and happy. This technology serves as a stimulation tool, keeping rabbits active as they work to obtain food from inside the ball and entertained, while ensuring their basic needs are met. With this innovation, it is hoped that the rabbits at Gronjong Wariti will remain healthy and thriving, enabling the rabbit fishing attraction to continue operating effectively, providing a positive experience for visitors while maintaining animal welfare. This idea emerged from the PKM team’s observations of the rabbits’ behaviour at the attraction and their concern for the importance of animal welfare in the tourism industry.
As part of this community service programme, the Appropriate Technology (TTG) in the form of the Kelin-Chill Ball has been handed over to Mr. Dany, the rabbit farmer and owner of the rabbit attraction at the Gronjong Wariti Tourism Village. The Kelin-Chill Ball, which is a ball filled with hay (dried grass) as the primary food for rabbits, is made from sturdy and safe wire with small holes to dispense the hay. Additionally, the FKH UB PKM team also provided two other TTGs: organic rabbit feed and an educational poster titled “DID YOU KNOW?” which can be displayed at the attraction to enhance its educational value. This handover is intended with the hope that the provided TTG will support the welfare of the rabbits farmed by Mr. Dany and enrich the tourism experience at Gronjong Wariti.
Author : Salma Amanda Dascha