28 Protected Animals in West Java Rescued in Last Six Months

TheIndonesia.co - The West Java Center for Natural Resources Conservation (BBKSDA) reported that it had successfully evacuated 28 protected animals, including primates and reptiles, between January and June 2022.

Forest ranger from West Java BBKSDA Ade Kurniadi Karim revealed that within the six-month period, officers managed to rescue 28 protected animals from members of the public.

“There are 28 protected animals that have been evacuated and rescued,” Karim said on Wednesday, August 3, as reported by Antara.

Those animals rescued consisted of 16 primates, seven reptiles, four mammals, and one birds.

Some of them were evacuated while the rest were handed over by the public.

“We sent all of them to conservation agency to be then released into their habitats,” Karim explained.

Among some of the rescued animals is an East Javan langur (Trachypithecus Auratus) which was evacuated from a local’s house by the fire department in Cirebon regency.

The animal was predicted to have been a pet because it was well-groomed and was found in lowland area, which is not its natural habitat.

Lastly, the forest ranger warned the public not to own or trade endangered animals that are protected by law. He reminded that an individual might face up to five-year imprisonment or a fine of Rp100 million (US$6,900) as mandated by law on Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystem if they are found guilty of the crime.