Indonesia: Security officers rescue endangered animal in West Sumatra

Antara 8 Jun 19;

Lubukbasung, W Sumatra (ANTARA) - Security officers, deployed for securing the 2019 post-fasting festivities at the Agam District Police Station, West Sumatra, rescued a slow loris, or nyticebus coucang, in Lubukbasung Sub-district on Friday (June 7) night.

Commander of the Simpang Gudang Security Post Police Inspector Nofriandi confirmed here on Saturday that a rare and protected animal was rescued while roaming around the security post.

"When we rescued it, the animal exhibited aggressive behavior," he remarked.

The Agam Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) was immediately notified about the incident.

The Agency head Syahrial Tanjung revealed that the officers arrived at the location to look for the animal after having received information from the security officer.

The slow loris was thereafter immediately placed in a cage and taken by the agency officers.

"The animal will be under observation to ensure it is in safe condition before being released into the Maninjau Nature Reserve forest area," he stated.

Slow loris is one of the protected animal species regulated under Law Number 5 of 1990 on Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems.

Hunting, capturing, maintaining, owning, trading, or utilizing any of the body parts of this animal is banned.

"Those caught violating the law are liable to be imprisoned for at most five years and be fined a maximum of Rp100 million," he noted.