Scorpion Foundation and Riau Province police busted an illegal trade of eight rare animals in Pekanbaru, Riau Province on Saturday, 27th of February 2016. Three traders were arrested, and eight animals, which are protected by Indonesian law, were confiscated including six slow lorises, one siamang, and one gibbon.
The Scorpion Foundation sent its Senior Investigator to Pekanbaru 2 weeks ago to monitor the wildlife markets. From the first visit, Scorpion was able to take photographs of several protected species.
This week, a Scorpion Investigator visited Pekanbaru again to provide information and photographs of protected species on sale to the Riau Provincial police. The Riau Provincial police were finally convinced to take action.
The Director of Scorpion Foundation, Gunung Gea states: “The danger of extinction of our protected species is real. Some species are on the brink of extinction. We have to avoid the extinction seriously. I am hoping that all government officers who still have rare animals in their home hand over all their wildlife, alive or stuffed animals, to the relevant BKSDA offices to give as samples to the people of Indonesia.”
Gunung Gea added: “This is the right momentum to increase the effort of protecting our rare animals because we now have a president who is a forester. In order to protect our wildlife, we seriously need an increased role of our law enforcement agencies, the police and forest rangers. Our law No. 5/1990 clearly states that every person who kills, captures, or keeps protected species can be sentenced to five years in jail and fine of IDR100 million (US$7,400.00).”
Scorpion Senior Investigator said: “Palapa market in Pekanbaru is one of the most notorious wildlife markets I have ever visited. Protected wildlife are on sale here openly. The price of a slow loris is IDR 300,000 (GBP150) per head. Honorarium for slaughtering a slow loris is IDR 150,000.
LINK TO SHORT VIDEO OF THE CONFISCATED ANIMALS
