TEMPO.CO, Yogyakarta - Activists of the Protection of Forest and Fauna (Profauna) have expressed their concerns over the increasing online illegal trading of endangered animals.

"The rare-animals traders have now become more alert in conducting their activities. They do online trading," said Profauna campaigner Swasti Prawidya Mukti during the campaign of Javan Lutung on Jl. Malioboro, Yogyakarta yesterday.

The online trading of rare animals started to hike in 2012. Traders think it was safer from the police raid. "Many of them use Facebook accounts to trade the wild animals," Swasti added.

However, Profauna has collaborated with several online stores such as Kaskus and OLX that have committed to not advertise trades of rare animals.

Swasti said Profauna had participated in uncovering an online wildlife trade in Jember, East Java, earlier in the year. One of Profauna volunteers responded an ad posted on a social media that sold the nearly-extinct Javan Lutung. When the volunteer met up with the dealer, the dealer was revealed to also sell many kinds of rare animals.

Javan Lutung (Trachypithecus auratus) is a monkey species endemic to Java island and is currently endangered. The remaining Javan Lutung is predicted to live in the forest around mountains and some national parks in Java Island. "They are hunted for fun," said Swasti.

On the market, one Javan Lutung baby is more expensive than the adults. While one adult Javan lutung is sold for Rp500,000.- , one baby can be tagged for Rp1.5 million.

ANANG ZAKARIA