North Sumatra Police Arrest International Network on Protected Animal Trafficking

TEMPO.CO, Medan - North Sumatra Police managed to arrest an international network of protected animal trafficking at the Sisingamangaraja area in Medan early on Wednesday, September 27, 2023. The authorities nabbed a courier of animal trade RH (35 years old) and secured 2 Sumatran orangutans; male and female, who are estimated to be five months old. 

North Sumatra Police Chief of Public Relations Sr. Comsr. Hadi Wahyudi said that the finding of the international network of protected animal trade was a collaboration of the Gunung Leuser National Park Office and the Environmental and Forestry Ministry. Sumatran orangutan or Pongo abelii is an animal that is protected by Law Number 5/ 1990 on Natural Resources Conservation and the Ecosystem.

"Article 21 paragraph 2 [of the law] stated that it is forbidden to catch, hurt, kill, keep, own, keep as pets, and trade protected animals alive or dead. "Two protected Sumatran orangutans were rescued," said Hadi, on Saturday, September 30.

He said that the police are investigating RH and his network which is suspected of being a syndicate that trades protected animals internationally. This case is still under investigation by North Sumatra Police.

"The disclosure of the wildlife trafficking is a collaboration of North Sumatra Police and the Wildlife Justice Commission," Hadi said. The two rescued orangutans have been entrusted to the Natural Resources Conservation Center or BKSDA for treatment.

Sahat Simatupang

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