When Teenagers Are Tempted By The Dark World Of Wildlife Trading

The pangolin (Manis javanica) which was successfully secured by the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Gakkum officers from the perpetrators of the AH protected animal trade (ANTARA/HO-Kemenhut)

The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has succeeded in uncovering the illegal trade practice of protected wildlife, including in Batang Regency, Central Java, and securing a perpetrator with the initials AH who is still a teenager.

Head of the Center for Forestry Law Enforcement (Gakkumhut) for the Java, Bali and Nusa Tenggara Regions (Jabalnusra) of the Ministry of Forestry, Aswin Bangun, said the case indicated the involvement of young actors in the animal trafficking network through the digital space.

"The Batang case shows that the crime mode has shifted to the digital space and is starting to involve teenagers. This is a common concern, our handling is complete, including the development of intermediary networks and collectors, while still upholding child protection," Aswin said when confirmed from Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, October 8.

Aswin invites the public to report through the official complaint channel if they find similar activities, so that they can be followed up immediately.

According to him, the rescue of protected wildlife is part of the disclosure of a wider network of illegal animal trafficking. The network uses social media to trade priority species such as pangolins (Manis javanica), Javanese slow lorises (Nycticebus javanicus), and black head casseries (Lorius lory).

All animals that were successfully secured have been evacuated for health checks before undergoing rehabilitation and release in accordance with the recommendations of the conservation authority.

The disclosure of this case began with a cyber patrol by the Balai Gakkumhut team in the Jabalnusra Region which found suspicious activity on social media. The findings were then developed through intelligence investigations and field operations.

Based on sufficient evidence, AH was secured on Friday, October 3 and is now undergoing legal proceedings according to the provisions. Because he is still 16 years old and is included in the category of Children Faced with Law (ABH), the handling of cases is carried out by upholding child protection, through coordination of child investigators and the Correctional Center (Bapas), including diversion options.

AH was not detained, but still underwent the applicable legal process. He was threatened with a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to Rp. 2 billion.

The head of the Central Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), Darmanto, expressed his appreciation for the synergy in law enforcement across these institutions.

"Java slow lorises and pangolins are priority species that receive strict protection. We ensure that the handling of rescue, rehabilitation, and release runs according to conservation standards, while strengthening education so that people do not maintain or trade protected animals," said Darmanto.