TEMPO.CO, Pekanbaru - The Riau Police exposed wildlife trafficking at Pasar Kelapa, Pekanbaru, Riau, and seized six sloths, a siamang, and a gibbon from vendors.
“We detained three vendors to be questioned,” Riau Police spokesperson Adj. Sr. Comr. Guntir Aryo Tejo said on Saturday, February 27, 2016.
Guntur explained that the raid was conducted based on a report filed by international non-governmental organization Animal Rescue. Police then conducted investigation into the report and found eight wild animals were about to be traded. Vendors admitted that the animals were shipped from Java, Sumatera and Kalimantan.
“An animal was to be sold around Rp300,000 to Rp500,000 (US$22-US$37),” Guntur added.
The eight animals seized by police were in critical condition. Wendi Prameswari, veterinarian with the Animal Rescue said that the gibbon was malnourished while the siamang suffered from dehydration.
The three vendors cut teeth of two sloths. Currently, the eight animals were being treated by a team of doctors.
RIYAN NOFITRA