116 Wild Animals To Be Smuggled Into Java Island Secured On Pelni Ship KM Sinabung

Papuan thorny tail (Ctenosaura), one of the animals rescued by the Maluku BKSDA. BETWEEN ANTARA/Winda Herman

JAKARTA - A joint team from the Maluku Province Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and Pelni ship officers KM Sinabung managed to secure 116 wildlife suspected of being smuggled into Java Island.

"This discovery was made after ship officers found the animals hidden in the ship's spatial ceiling," said Maluku BKSDA Forestry Police (Polhut) Arga Christyan in Ambon, Thursday, confiscated by Antara.

The animals that were secured consisted of various types, including reptiles and birds, with details of the Papuan thorny tail (Ctenosaura) 66 live, 22 dead, 14 live hijabs (varianus macraei), 1 live green python (Morelia viridis), 4 live death adder Papua (Acanthopis) and 2 dead, and 7 live Emas (Cyclopsitta diophthalma).

"These findings show that these wild animals, some of which are rare species, are likely to be traded illegally to markets on the island of Java, especially Surabaya," he said.

To ensure the safety of these animals and minimize death, the Maluku BKSDA team cooperates with the wildlife distribution permit holders to provide care and rehabilitation.

The type of animal that is entrusted with care is a reptile, while the type of bird is immediately taken to the Animal Conservation Station for further rehabilitation. The Maluku BKSDA team is also committed to continuing to monitor and follow up on cases of illegal wildlife trafficking in the Maluku region," said Arga.

Conservation efforts continue to be intensified, including through education to the public and users of sea transportation services in the Maluku region.

The Maluku BKSDA appealed to the entire community, especially crew members and passengers, not to carry wildlife without permission. Active community participation is needed to preserve biodiversity in the Maluku Islands.

Based on the provisions of Law no. 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems it is stated that whoever deliberately catches, injures, kills, keeps, maintains, transports, and trades protected animals (Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a), is threatened with a maximum imprisonment of five years and a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million (Article 40 paragraph (2)).