BBKSDA Use Thermal Drones To Find Leopards In Lembang

Joint officers while combing the area where a leopard was allegedly missing at Lembang Park and Zoo in West Bandung Regency, West Java, Friday (29/8/2025). ANTARA/Rubby Jovan

The West Java Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) deployed a thermal drone to search for a male leopard about 3.5 years old who escaped from the quarantine cage of Lembang Park and Zoo, West Bandung Regency.

Head of BBKSDA West Java Agus Arianto said the tracking results showed that there were allegations of dirt and traces of the animal around the zoo area.

"So it is very likely that the animals are still in the inner area around here. We use thermal drones to detect animal movements. Hopefully they can be detected soon," Agus said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, August 29.

Agus explained, leopards are nokturnal animals that are active at night. Although they tend to avoid humans, they still have the potential to be dangerous so that the search is carried out with full vigilance.

"Students will usually look for a comfortable place, such as a location with lots of trees or puddles of water," he said.

He appealed to the public not to handle the animal themselves if they found it because it could endanger and its wild nature.

Immediately report to the nearest Polsekter, related officers, zoos, or to us. Handling must be done by experienced teams to be safe for the community and their animals," he said

Previously, the West Java BBKSDA confirmed that the leopard that escaped from the quarantine cage was an animal that was evacuated from Kuningan Regency.

He said the leopard was previously temporarily deposited in Lembang Park and Zoo before being released back into its habitat in the Mount Ciremai area, Kuningan.

"We asked about the readiness of Lembang Zoo, and they said they were ready from the home side and the medical team. Actually, the rescue effort was only to wait for the location assessment process before release," said Agus.

Agus assessed that Lembang Park and Zoo was chosen as an observation location because it has adequate quarantine facilities and veterinarians.

At first, he wanted to be entrusted to the Cikembulan Conservation Institute, Garut. However, because the animal health facilities there were not complete, it was decided to be brought to Lembang," he said.