INDONESIAN WILDLIFE MARKET

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http://news.mongabay.com/2005/0918-profauna.html  

Domestic black market for endangered wildlife thrives in Indonesia

Group fights to save wild species from poaching and habitat loss

By Diana Wright, ProFauna UK

September 18, 2005

 

 

 

 

Smuggled infant orangutan found dead. Photo courtesy of ProFauna UK

 

 

 

Indonesia is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world and yet has the

longest list of endangered wild species. Wild species are becoming endangered

due to unsustainable deforestation and poaching. The government does not yet

have a national plan to seriously address this problem; while Indonesia has laws

protecting wild species, enforcement is weak.

 

 

ProFauna Indonesia, a wildlife conservation society, has urged the Indonesian

government to take urgent steps to deal with the rampant illegal trade in

endangered wildlife. Hundreds of thousands of wild animals are poached and

traded each year for domestic and overseas “exotic pet” markets. Many animals

are inhumanely exploited for bush meat and “medicine”. 95% of traded animals are

caught in the wild, threatening biodiversity and threatening some species with

extinction.

 

Last week ProFauna launched its national campaign against the trade in wildlife

with a demonstration in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta and the

delivery of a petition to the government of Indonesia. Conservationist activists

mphasized that the wildlife trade is not only cruel, but a crime. Activists

carried giant inflatable wild animals, including tigers, orangutans, parrots and

turtles. More demonstrations will be staged subsequently in 17 other cities

throughout Indonesia.

 

ProFauna has urged Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, to deem that

the illegal trade in wildlife is a serious national issue and for him to take

concrete steps to combat the problem.

 

In the last 10 years ProFauna Indonesia has conducted a number of investigations

into this trade in Indonesia, ranging from Papua up to Medan, North Sumatera.

There is good reason to be concerned as the trade seems to be uncontrollable,

despite a few areas which have successfully curbed it, such as that of sea

turtles in Bali. However, in other cities including Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan,

Jambi, Palembang and in Central and North Borneo, up to Papua, many endangered

species which are supposed to be protected by law, are still being poached and

traded. Some are even bought by government officials, police and military

personnel.

 

It is estimated that the trade is worth Indonesian Rupiah 9 Trillion (US$ 900

Million) each year, due to the high prices paid for the more endangered species.

In the domestic black market, an orangutan can fetch Rupiah 5 Million (US$ 500),

a Sumatran tiger Rp 20 Million (US$2000) and a Javan Owa (gibbon) Rp 3 Million

(US$300). The price is much higher in international black market, where a

juvenile orangutan can fetch US$45,000.

 

The poaching of endangered animals for pets or for their carcasses as food and

ornaments is not something that can be consigned to a less humane past.

Endangered animals, such as orang-utans or tigers are still being traded

illegally today. The lucrative trade is run by a network of criminal smugglers

who have resorted to torture and even murder to protect their business and

punish conservationist activists who seek to stop the trade.

 

Orangutans, sun bears, tigers, parrots, cockatoos are continuously poached.

Mothers are killed for their babies. Young wild species are more expensive and

more appealing as “exotic pets”. Poachers used very crude and cruel trapping

technique. Many animals are badly injured and suffered from broken limbs or

infected wounds, without receiving treatment.

 

ProFauna’s undercover investigators followed some wildlife poachers and

smugglers for months to document the evidence. Wild animals endured horrendous

long smuggling journeys from the jungle to the ports, stuffed in cramped cages

without food and water. 40% cockatoos and parrots died before they reach the

markets. For each animal sold, many have died needlessly.

 

Orphaned baby orangutans are given tranquilizer or drugs before being smuggled

out of the country. They are stuffed into small boxes and disguised as box of

clothing or food. Often orangutans die due to the long journey, suffocation or a

drug overdose . Those who survive the trip overseas may be exploited in the

circus, entertainment industries or zoos. Many countries are still not imposing

tight regulation and control on import of endangered wild species.

 

The major obstacles in the struggle to save wild species in Indonesia are:

public ignorannce about the wildlife conservation and animal welfare, poverty,

weak enforcement of the law, corruption and lack of Indonesian government’s

strategy in protecting wildlife and their habitats. The voice of small NGOs is

often ignored by the government.

 

Conservationists are extremely concerned that some species could be extinct in a

couple of decades at the current rate of habitat loss and poaching.

 

ProFauna Indonesia is an Indonesian society for the protection of wild animals

and their habitats. To support and sign their petition, please visit:

www.profauna-uk.org and www.profauna.org

 

Article by Diana Wright, ProFauna UK

Email: info

 

 

Article from the ProFauna UK

 

 

 

 

 

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