The Maluku Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) through the Tual KSDA Resort Officer managed to secure as many as 15 wild animals protected by chef's cockatoe (Cacatua Galerita) from the passenger trunk of KM Labobar.
The discovery began when Pelni officers checked the passengers' tickets and baggage, said the Forestry Police (Polhut) of the Maluku BKSDA Arga Christyan, in Ambon, Saturday.
During the check, officers found a number of suspicious boxes that turned out to contain chef's brother-in-law. However, no owner of these animals was found.
As a preventive measure, officers conduct awareness to passengers at the scene of the incident related to the dangers and prohibition of the circulation of protected wild plants and animals (TSL).
"All animals were then taken to the Tual KSDA Resort Transit Cage to undergo the observation and rehabilitation process," he said.
He said health checks were carried out to ensure the condition of the animals remained stable before being released into their natural habitat.
In addition, the Maluku BKSDA also coordinates with relevant agencies to investigate the possibility of a network of smuggling animals that utilize the sea lanes of the area. Law enforcement efforts will also be strengthened to suppress the circulation of protected animals.
The Maluku BKSDA again urges the public not to catch, maintain, or trade protected animals in any form. This action violates Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.
"Through this disclosure, we hope that more and more parties will realize the importance of the community's role in preventing animal smuggling and preserving biodiversity in Maluku," he said.
Based on the provisions of Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and their Ecosystems that anyone 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)).
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