Prolonged Internal Polemic, Management Of Bandung Zoo Threatened To Be Revoked

The conflict at the Bandung Zoo (Bandung Zoo) is entering a new chapter. The Bandung City Government (Pemkot) opened the option to apply for the revocation of the Bandung Zoo conservation agency's permit to the Ministry of Forestry. This plan was conveyed in response to the chaos that occurred between the two internal camps of the Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT).

The chairman of the YMT Management, John Sumampauw, revealed that this decision was conveyed by representatives of the Bandung City Government in a meeting on Wednesday, August 6 at the Bandung Zoo. The meeting was attended, among others, by the Head of the Regional Finance and Assets Agency (BKAD), the Head of the Housing and Settlement Area Agency (BPKP), and the Head of the Legal Section, as well as the Deputy Chief of Police and the Head of Ops of the Bandung Polrestabes. Also present were representatives from the old YMT management.

The option to revoke the permit is a follow-up to the agreement in a meeting with the Ministry of Transportation on April 10, 2025. The meeting agreed that if the process of using the Bandung Zoo's assets peacefully cannot be carried out, the Bandung City Government can propose the revocation of the management permit. After that, the Ministry of Transportation will appoint a temporary management team through a Ministerial Decree involving the Bandung City Government and other related parties.

"We respect any decision from the government on the management of the Bandung Zoo," said John. He also said the next step his team would take was to return the animals borrowed by the Bandung Zoo from Safari Park since 2020, namely giraffes, lechwe, gnu, and animal "Animal Show".

"There are still obligations related to the borrowing of animals that have not been completed by YMT," said John.

Temporary Closure

Responding to the incident that occurred on Wednesday, August 6, John Sumampauw explained, the temporary closure carried out was a measure to secure the assets of the Bandung City Government. "Our basis for securing it is the Minutes (BA) of Evidence Collection from the West Java High Prosecutor's Office (Kejati)," he explained. "We were ordered by the Attorney General's Office to protect the asset."

This step is also a follow-up to the meeting held on Monday, July 28, 2025, which was attended by representatives from the Bandung City Government, West Java Attorney General's Office, and the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). The meeting discussed the utilization and security of Regional Property in the form of land located on Jl. Zoo No. 4-6, Bandung.

John emphasized that despite being in the midst of conflict, animal safety is a top priority. "When closing the Bandung Zoo yesterday, I appointed and brought a keepser team to keep daily operations of animal care running, such as feeding."

He denied the negative narrative circulating on social media. "Oknum karyawan dan orang-orang yang kami tidak kenal menceti masuk dan mengorkan keeper kami, membuat narasi yang buruk di media dan media sosial, padahalnya tidak seperti itu."

John also highlighted the difficulties in yesterday's operations. "The animal feed shipment yesterday morning was unable to enter. The service gate was locked from outside by the security they rented."

John apologized for the inconvenience experienced by visitors due to yesterday's temporary closure. "This is solely to ensure the safety of all parties, including visitors, and secure government assets," he concluded.