Indonesia-Japan Collaborate on Wildlife Conservation through Animal Breeding Loan Program

JAKARTA - The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Tokyo welcomes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Surabaya Zoo District Public Company (KBS) and iZoo, Shizuoka, Japan, in the framework of the Animal Breeding Loan Programme and Collaboration for the Protection and Conservation of Wild Animals.

The MoU was signed on April 29, 2026 at the Surabaya Zoo by KBS State Owned Enterprises, represented by Director of Finance and Human Resources Moch. Nahroni and Director of Operations and General Affairs Nurika Widyasanti, along with iZoo Director Tsuyoshi Shirawa.

The signing was witnessed by the Director of Species and Genetic Conservation, Ministry of Forestry, Ahmad Munawir, and the Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi.

This Business-to-Business cooperation is a follow-up to the Government-to-Government MoU on cooperation in the protection and conservation of wildlife, with a focus on the Komodo breeding loan program (Varanus komodoensis).

The MoU was signed by the Minister of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, Raja Juli Antoni, together with the Governor of Shizuoka Prefecture Yasutomo Suzuki on March 28, 2026 in Shizuoka, Japan.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo's Forestry Attaché, Ima Yudin Rayaningtyas, said that through this cooperation, Indonesia through KBS will lend a pair of Komodo to iZoo Japan to support the ex situ breeding and conservation program. Meanwhile, iZoo Japan will provide a number of animals to be managed by KBS, namely Aldabra Giant Tortoise, Japanese Macaque, Giraffe and Red Panda.

"The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo considers this cooperation as a concrete manifestation of Indonesian-Japanese green diplomacy, as well as a tangible follow-up to the commitment of both parties in strengthening the protection and conservation of wildlife," explained Ima Yudin Rayaningtyas, launching the statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Friday (5/6).

"As Indonesia's flagship animal, Komodo has important ecological and symbolic value, and serves as a means to increase international public awareness of Indonesia's biodiversity wealth," he said.

In the implementation process, various technical stages continue to show positive developments. The licensing process for the loan of Komodo from Indonesia to Japan is currently continuing in accordance with the mechanisms and provisions in force in Indonesia.

On the other hand, the CITES certificate for the shipment of four Aldabra Giant Tortoises from Japan to the Surabaya Zoo was issued by the Japanese authorities on May 19, 2026. Thus, the shipment of Aldabra Giant Tortoises entered the stage of further technical arrangements, while still taking into account the provisions of quarantine, health, transportation, and animal welfare.

Currently, the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo continues to coordinate intensively with relevant parties in Indonesia and Japan, which are now entering the implementation phase of cooperation, including licensing, animal health and welfare, and transportation.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo hopes that this cooperation can be carried out carefully, transparently, and in accordance with applicable regulations, as well as provide real benefits for the conservation of Indonesian biodiversity and strengthening Indonesian-Japanese friendship.