Wildlife Dealer Got Arrested by the Police of Malang

Sukron (32), a resident of Pakisaji district, Malang regency, east Java, Indonesia was arrested by the Police of Malang and officers of Natural Resource Conservation Agency for selling protected wildlife species (23/1/2015). The species taded were a juvenile Javan Langur (Trachypithecus auratus) which was dead upon the seizure, 1 Salmon-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), 1 Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), 1 Oriental-pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros albirostris), and 1 Black-capped Lory (Lorius lory).

The subject stated that the animals were originated from Papua and Lumajang. The protected species were also advertised on Facebook. Having violated the law, Sukron was arrested in his house where the officers also confiscated the animals as the evidence.

Dheny Mardiono, one of the agency officers, explained that trade ond ownership of protected wildlife species (dead or alive), is against the Law no.5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resources. The subject is liable to a maximum 5 years of prison and IDR 100 million fines.

Protection of Forest & Fauna (PROFAUNA) Indonesia highly appreciates this move. "Illegal wildlife dealers who sells online must be punished justly, so that they would not repeat their crime," said Swasti Prawidya Mukti, PROFAUNA's campaign officer.

Based on PROFAUNA's record , throughout 2014 there were at least 3.640 illegal wildlife advertisements on the web in Indonesia, offering various species like the Javan Hawk-eagle, Siamang, Surili, Javan Langur, Palm Cockatoo, Black-capped Lory, Slow Loris, Eclectus Parrot, and many more.