Press Release: Indonesia Hosting Sea Games XXVI, ProFauna Urges Law Enforcement On The Illegal Wildlife Trade in Palembang and Jakarta
(10/28/2011) Two Cities in Indonesia: Palembang in South Sumatra and Jakarta will be the venues of the largest multi-sport event in Southeast Asia, The Southeast Asian Games (known as SEA Games) XXVI on 11th - 22nd November 2011. Hosting the prestigious event, Indonesia must present its best to welcome the regional participants and international representatives. Unfortunately, the rampant illegal wildlife trade in Palembang and Jakarta will deface Indonesia.
ProFauna Indonesia records show that the illegal wildlife trade in Palembang and Jakarta remains openly high. The trade has rampantly taken place at three notorious animal markets: 16 Ilir in Pelembang, Jatinegara and Pramuka markets in Jakarta. In those markets, there are many protected wildlife sold openly like the Javan langur (Trachipithecus auratus), the black-capped Lory (Lorius domicellus), various types of eagles, slow loris (Nycticebus coucang), the leopard cat (Felis bengalensis), and many more. The poor wild animals are sold from 200,000 IDR (22 USD) to 1 million IDR (111 USD) per individual.
Different from Pramuka market which recently has been more discreet, in Jatinegara Market, traders display the protected animals openly. On average, there are 10 slow lorises sold for 22 to 56 USD each per month. ProFauna's records also show that sometimes the endangered baby sea turtles can be found in the market.
Similarly, in 16 Ilir market in Palembang, ProFauna records many endangered and protected wildlife like gibbons (Hylobates sp), the sulphur-crested Cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), the White-bellies sea eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaste), and many more. A gibbon there can fetch to 111 USD.
According to the Act No. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of the Natural Resources and Ecosystems, the trade of protected species is prohibited. Accordingly, the perpetrators are liable to a maximum five-year prison term and a maximum 100 million Rupiah fine. Unfortunately, the law has not been fully enforced that the trade remains high in Palembang and Jakarta.
Chairman of ProFauna Indonesia, Rosek Nursahid, stated, "The illegal trade of the protected wildlife species in Palembang and Jakarta is humiliating for Indonesia as the host of SEA Games. The government should curb the illegal wildlife trade." ProFauna Indonesia has been actively reporting to the government on the wildlife trade while urging them to enforce the law to the full extent.
Nursahid added, "As the host of the SE Games XXVI, Indonesia must give a good impression, including showing itself as a country caring for wildlife conservation".
Notes to the editor:
- ProFauna Indonesia has been a leading wildlife protection organization in Indonesia since 1994 working on the illegal trade issues.
For further information and pictures of the traded wildlife in Palembang and Jakarta, please contact Butet Sitohang, International Affairs Officer of ProFauna Indonesia. Email:
Swasti Prawidya Mukti
(International Affairs Officer, ProFauna Indonesia)
Email: international@profauna.net
Mobile: +62 856 369 3611