Mothers Throwing Plastic Bottles In The Mouth Of Hippos Are Threatened By Prison

Bogor Police Chief, AKBP Harun (DOK. ANTARA)

CIBINONG - The woman with the initials K (56) disposes of garbage in the form of plastic bottles into the mouth of a hippopotamus at Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI), Cisarua, Bogor, West Java, facing three months imprisonment.

"That is Article 302 of animal abuse, (threat of punishment) three months (imprisonment)," said Bogor Police Chief, AKBP Harun in Cibinong, Bogor, quoted by Antara, Tuesday, March 9.

These mothers who throw plastic bottles to hippos have already been examined. But investigators did not make arrests.

"It is not possible for detention, we are still in the process and (may) go home. Please want to apologize but we are still in the process," said Harun.

Meanwhile, the perpetrator K conveyed an apology before undergoing an examination at the Bogor Police Headquarters.

"I am the perpetrator of throwing the trash accidentally, not on purpose. I am very sorry," he said.

Previously, TSI Bogor Public Relations, Yulius H Suprihardo said that the incident whose video had gone viral in cyberspace took place on Sunday, March 9.

According to him, when officers examined a hippopotamus named Ari, not only were trash found in the form of blue plastic bottles, but also clumps of tissue.

Julius confirmed that the hippopotamus had regurgitated the trash that had entered its mouth. The reason is, if swallowed it can cause death.

"Currently, the animals are safe because the hippos throw up the garbage again. But if it is swallowed it can cause death for our animals, right? Mineral plastic bottles have decomposed for hundreds of years," he said.

The Taman Safari medical team has also conducted an examination of the African animal, with results that have not found any injuries or abnormalities.