S. Sulawesi Foils Cassowaries, Cendrawasih Bird Smuggling
13 October 2016 13:18 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - South Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) has thwarted an attempt to smuggle preserved dead small yellow bird of paradise (cendrawasih) and cassowaries to Jayapura, Papua.
“The arrest was made by accident,” South Sulawesi BKSDA head Dody Wahyu Karyanto said on Wednesday afternoon.
The BKSDA has confiscated 147 preseved dead animals. According to Dody, the wild animals were confiscated when the owner Paisal came to the BKSDA office to file for delivery permit of the wild animals to Papua.
Earlier, the dead cendrawasih and cassowaries were sent from Papua to be preserved.
“The attempt to sent them back has been blocked by airport authority as it lacks official documents,” Dody said.
Upon Paisal’s report about the animals in his possession, BKSDA officials promptly made investigation. The officials found that they were endangered animals.
According to Dody, the wild animals are protected by Law No. 5/1990 on natural conservation and ecosystem. The owner could face 5 years imprisonment and Rp100 million fine.
ABDUL RAHMAN