The Smuggling Of 625 Birds In Pontianak Was Thwarted, There Was Cucak Ijo To Chinese Gold

Evidence of dozens of boxes containing hundreds of birds to be smuggled through the Dempo People's Port area, North Pontianak District, last Wednesday night. (ANTARA/HO: BKSDA West Kalimantan)

The West Kalimantan Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) together with the North Pontianak Sector Police managed to thwart an attempt to smuggle 625 birds to be sent to Surabaya by sea.

"This failure is the result of a joint patrol which was held on Wednesday night (23/7) in the Dempo People's Port area, North Pontianak District," said Head of the West Kalimantan BKSDA, Murlan Dameria Pane, in Pontianak, Thursday, July 24, as reported by ANTARA.

He said this action was part of a sustainable effort to eradicate illegal wildlife trade that was still rampant in West Kalimantan.

"This case is a warning that illegal animal trade is still happening and serious handling is needed. We will continue to strengthen patrols and supervision in vulnerable areas and take firm action against the perpetrators," he said.

The joint patrol found a suspicious unit of a cow-carrying wooden ship. After inspection, the ship turned out to carry hundreds of birds in various types without official documents.

Based on the identification results, as many as 625 birds were found, with details of 607 live and 18 dead.

Among the birds that were secured, some were included in the protected animal category according to the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 concerning Protected Plants and Animals, namely two Kalimantan Beo (Emas Lions) and 50 Big Leave Cicas (Cucak Ijo).

Meanwhile, the rest are non-protected birds such as Kolibri Ninja, Madu Srigangan, Kucica Kampung, and several other types of kicau birds that are usually traded illegally to fill the hobby market.

Two crew members, namely the captain and crew (ABK), were immediately secured by officers and taken to the North Pontianak Police, before being transferred to the Pontianak Police Station for further investigation.

Evidence in the form of birds, cages, and packaging in the form of cardboard boxes and plastic boxes were also confiscated.

"We have handed over all the animals that have been secured to the West Kalimantan BKSDA for medical examination. Furthermore, the birds will be sent to the Berkicau Wak Gatak Bird Rescue Center for further treatment before being released into their natural habitat," he said.