Bali nature conservation agency confiscates illegal pangolins

Ni Komang Erviani, The Jakarta Post 20 Nov 09;

The Bali Nature Conservation Agency seized 15 pangolins at an abandoned warehouse in Abian Tuwung, Tabanan, about 30 kilometers north of Denpasar, Bali.

The agency is also holding the owner of the warehouse, Ketut Dharma, for illegally planning to distribute the protected animals to the black market.

“We obtained information from his neighbors about his involvement in the black market.

“We cased the warehouse for about a week before we found the animals located inside,” agency chief Istanto said Wednesday.

Pangolins have an armored appearance with hard scales made of keratin.

They also have a protective strategy of curling up into a ball when disturbed.

Their appearance resembles more a reptile than a mammal.

Commonly known as the “scaly anteater”, they have powerful, curved and blunted claws for digging into and tearing open ant and termite nests.

Pangolins are toothless, but have long, sticky tongues to capture their prey.

Their natural habitats are in the tropical forests of Indonesia, Malaysia and Indochina.

“The pangolin is not categorized as an endangered species,” Istanto said.

“But the mammal is strictly protected. There is the danger of extinction and it is under the threat of illegal poachers.”

Pangolins are reportedly one of the most sought-after animals in many black markets in Asian countries.

People believe that the pangolin’s meat and scales prevent aging. People also consume pangolin meat as it is considered an aphrodisiac.

In some Indonesian, Malaysian, Thailand and Hong Kong black markets, pangolin meat can reportedly fetch up to Rp 1 million (US$112) per kilogram.

In numerous restaurants in Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and China, pangolin meat costs about $210 per kilogram.

Pangolin scales are sold at Rp 9,000 ($1) per piece.

The scales of pangolins are used as raw material for crystal methamphetamine.

The high value of pangolin meat and scales has allegedly prompted people to illegally take the animals from their natural habitats.

People across Indonesia hunt the animals and ship them to domestic and foreign black markets.
In Indonesia, Palembang in South Sumatra is known as a pangolin black market center.

Istanto said Ketut Dharma might only be one of many illegal animal poachers.

Poachers are said to have both nationwide and international networks.

Istanto also said the agency might find other people who were believed to have links with Dharma.

Illegal sales and pangolin trafficking is against the 1990 Animal Conservation Law in Indonesia.

Dharma may face five years in jail and a Rp 100 million fine for allegedly breaking this law.

In addition to confiscating the pangolins, the agency also seized two protected cockatoos belonging to an expatriate residing in Tibubiyu, Kerambitan, in Tabanan.