INDONESIAN GOVERNMENT URGED TO STOP ILLEGAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES

ProFauna Indonesia, a wildlife conservation society, urges 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. 95% of traded animals are caught in the wild, threatening the bio-diversity and sending many species to extinction.

ProFauna will deliver its petition to the government of Indonesia on 13th September, when it launches its national campaign against the trade in wildlife in front of the presidential palace, Jakarta. A large public demonstration will take place, sending a message that this trade is not only cruel but a crime. Activists will carry giant inflatable wild animals, including tigers, orangutans, parrots and turtles. More demonstrations will be staged subsequently in 17 other cities throughout Indonesia.

In August 2005, ProFauna and the Animal Advocate Council (LASA) met with the Indonesian Minister of Forestry, Mr M.S. Kaban, to discuss the issue of the illegal trade in wildlife. It is the view that the Indonesian government does not yet have a national plan to seriously address this problem.

ProFauna is urging the 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.

Illegal wildlife trade worth 9 Trillion Rupiah (US$ 900 Million)

In the last 10 years ProFauna Indonesia has conducted many 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.

ProFauna is also appealing to the Indonesian President to issue instructions forbidding civil servants, police and army personnel from keeping protected animals at home and to set up a special task force team, involving the department of Forestry, Police, Military police and the Public Prosecutors’ Office, to deal with this critical issue.

For information, visit ProFauna at: www.profauna-uk.org or: www.profauna.or.id

For further information contact:
• Hardi Baktiantoro, Koordinator Division of Campaign ProFauna Indonesia
HP. 08161312003, Email: international@profauna.or.id
• Diana Wright, UK Representative
Tel. (0044) 1923-820982, Email: info@profauna-uk.org