Illegal trading in endangered species still rife in Indonesia

Antara 11 Jan 10;

Malang, E Java (ANTARA News) - Although trading in endangered species is illegal and perpetrators face heavy santions if caught, it is still happening openly in many places in Indonesia, a wildlife protection activist said.

ProFauna Indonesia Director Rosek Nursahid said here Monday protected endangered species trading was a violation of Law No. 5 of 1990 on the Conservation of Biological Resources and Ecosystems.

"Perpetrators of protected animal trading can be sentenced to up to five years imprisonment and a fine of Rp 100 million , he said.

Yet, the illegal practice still occurs in the open in many places in Indonesia, he added.

According to Nursahid, most of the endangered species traded illegally were captured from their natural habitats and this was increasing the threat of their becoming extinct as the practice was also contributing to the reduction of the areas and the quality of those habitats.

Therefore, Rosek said , it was time to look at illegal wildlife trading as a national issue. "This will ensure the more effective and coordinated enforcement of the law on wildlife protection," he said.

ProFauna Indonesia had previously reported that in 2009 it had rescued or prevented the smuggling of protected animals or parts of them such as scaled anteaters, tiger body parts and primates.

Marine biota such as sea horses, and other types of other marine biota were smuggled to China, Hong Kong and Europe. Other rare animals much sought by illegal traders were turtles and various types of parrot and cockatoo.

According to a survey conducted by ProFauna Indonesia in 70 locations during 2009, a total of 183 endangered species were illegaly traded and smuggled out of the country causing a total loss estimated at Rp10 billion to the state.(*)