West Papua's Quarantine Thwarts The Smuggling Of 579 Endemicrangers From Manokwari

West Papua BKHIT officers together with the West Papua BKSDA thwarted the smuggling of hundreds of endemic insects from Manokwari. (ANTARA/HO-BKHIT West Papu)

MANOKWARI - The West Papua Province Animal, Fish and Plant Quarantine Center (BKHIT) thwarted the smuggling of 579 endemic insects from Manokwari through air expedition services at the end of 2023.

"Information about the smuggling was obtained from the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA)," said the Head of the West Papua BKHIT Animal Quarantine Working Group, Drh Yuni Sulistiawati, as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, February 1.

He said the results of the identification of the West Papua BKSDA showed that the smuggled insects were graphium wieskei 500 head, 50 calodema suhandae, 26 calodema ribbei26 head, and three tail spidotaenia.

Hundreds of endemic Papuan insects are thought to be sent to the Java region which is then exported abroad as the basic ingredient for making accessories.

"After receiving the report, the Quarantine Officer, BKSDA and Avsec Rendani Airport checked," said Yuni Sulistiawati.

Hundreds of endemic insects are stored in small plastic jars and neatly packed to trick cargo officers' examination at Manokwari Rendani Airport.

Quarantine with BKSDA is still trying to track down the whereabouts of the smugglers, because the contact number listed on the shipping packaging is difficult to contact.

"The contact number written on the packaging cannot be reached. The perpetrator admitted to the expedition that it contained food," said Yuni.

According to him, optimizing the supervision of animal traffic through seaports and airports requires the synergy of collaboration with all stakeholders in West Papua.

The Quarantine Center also routinely educates the public so that they can complete all documents for sending animals and plants in accordance with applicable regulations.