West Java BBKSDA Evacuates 28 Protected Animals From Reptiles To Birds

A Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) is in a temporary cage at the Regional III KSDA Division, Ciamis Regency, West Java, Wednesday (8/6/2022). (ANTARA PHOTO/Adeng Bustomi/agr).

CIREBON - West Java Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA), through the Cirebon XXII Regional Conservation Resort, in the period January to June 2022 or for six months managed to evacuate 28 protected animals from the community.

"There are 28 protected animals that we have evacuated and rescued," said Forest Police Officer (Polhut) of the Cirebon BBKSDA Region XXII Conservation Resort West Java Ade Kurniadi Karim as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, August 3.

He said the number consisted of protected animals of mammals, primates, reptiles and avas. Everything is the result of evacuation, and voluntary surrender from the community.

Of the 28 protected animals that were successfully evacuated, the most dominating primate species was 16, followed by seven reptiles, four mammals, and one aves (bird species).

"All the protected animals are then sent to the conservation center, and then later they will be released back into the wild," he said.

Most recently, his party received a Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus) which was successfully evacuated by the Cirebon Regency Fire Department, in one of the residents' houses.

The langur, said Ade, is suspected to be a pet, because it is in very good condition and also in its natural habitat, not in the lowlands.

"We suspect that this Javan langur is a pet. Because its natural habitat is at the top of the mountain," he said.

He appealed to the public not to keep, own, and trade endangered and protected by law.

Because when it is found that there are people who maintain, own and trade, protected animals, they will be threatened with imprisonment for five years, or a fine of Rp. 100 million.

"The legal umbrella that we use, when there are people who own and trade protected animals, is Article 21 paragraph 2 Letter (a) in conjunction with Article 40 paragraph 2 of the Republic of Indonesia Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Ecosystems," he said. Ade.