Joint Operation Rescued Parrots in West Halmahera, North Maluku
Recently, a joint operation team consisted of Ternate Nature Conservation Agency and PROFAUNA North Maluku went on a patrol to monitor wildlife trade(19-20 November 2017). The patrol team canvassed West Halmahera and North Halmahera, led by the Head of Ternate Nature Conservation Agency, Abas Hurasan, S.Hut.
From the patrol, officials confiscated three Chattering Lories (Lorius garrulus) and one Great-billed Parrot (Tanygnathus megalorynchos) from two residents of Dodinga village, South Jailolo, West Halmahera. One of the Chattering Lories was a bait bird owned by a poacher named Wuntu.
A Black Macaque (Macaca nigra) was also handed over to the patrol team by Aren Dawile from Mamuya village, North Galela, North Halmahera.
"This patrol is a follow up to the recent attempted smuggling of hundreds of parrots from Gane to the Phillipines," said Abas.
Previously on Wednesday (15/11), South Halmahera Police held a press conference concerning the arrest of four parrot smuggler from Gane, South Halmahera. The alleged smugglers were about to ship White Cockatoos and Eclectus Parrots to the Phillipines.
Similar to the previous patrols, the Nature Conservation Agency employs persuasive approach to the community. It is emphasized at raising people's awareness and providing information about the law concerning wildlife protection.
Ekawati Ka'aba, the coordinator of PROFAUNA North Maluku who also joined the patrol, appreciated the Nature Conservation Agency's effort.
"The patrol went well, thanks to the Nature Conservation Agency's excellent persuasive approach which makes the local people understand and then willfully handed over wild animals they kept as pets," said Eka.
Beside canvassing the targeted areas, the patrol also involved North Halmahera Police. Abas Hurasan requested that the police be open to the Nature Conservation Agency, particularly when there are cases of wildlife crime. Collaboration is indeed very important in combatting parrot trade in North Maluku.