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Body parts of protected animals confiscated
The high demand and supply for products made from protected animals was again revealed Thursday, after a raid confiscated dozens of body parts of Sumatran tigers, spotted leopards, bears and elephants
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The high demand and supply for products made from protected animals was again revealed Thursday, after a raid confiscated dozens of body parts of Sumatran tigers, spotted leopards, bears and elephants.
The parts were sold at the Rawa Bening precious stone market in East Jakarta.
“The body parts of the protected animals were sold for mystic practices,” Pramudya Harzani from Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
“The findings from the Rawa Bening market are evidence that there is still a high level of demand for the animals.”
The raid confiscated dozens of skins, feet, nails, skulls, tails, teeth of the spotted leopard (Panthera pardus), Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) and bear (Helarctor malayanus), as well as a stuffed spotted leopard. Several ivory products were also confiscated.
The estimated value of the confiscated items is over Rp 130 million (US$10,830), ranging between Rp 150,000 for a small Sumatran tiger skin and Rp 15 million for a keris (dagger) with a handle and sheath made of ivory.
“The body parts were from five Sumatran tigers, two spotted leopards and two elephants,” Pramudya said.
“Since 2007, animal rescue centers have performed fewer raids and campaigns due to a lack of funds. Thus, trade in protected animals, both dead and alive, has increased over the past two years.”
Thursday’s raid at the market was performed by the police, Forestry Ministry and Jakarta Wildlife Forum — which includes the World Conservation Society (WCS), International Animal Rescue (IAR), JAAN, Lembaga Advokasi Satwa (Lasa), and Profauna — after the groups started monitoring illegal trade at the market in April last year.
It is estimated that 23 kiosks, out of 250 precious stone traders, at the market sell the body parts of protected animals, killing seven Sumatran tigers on average per month.
After the raid, four traders with the initials DP, MR, MZ and SF were named as suspects.
Pramudya said that not many suspects caught were sentenced.
“Many cases of illegal animal trading are regarded insignificant. The cases never reach the courts.”
Lasa director Irma said that even if cases reached trial, the convictions were much more lenient than the regulations.
A press release made available by Profauna on Friday said Jakarta was one of the destinations where tiger parts are smuggled.
The arrest of the suspects at Rawa Bening market in Jakarta was expected to cause a deterrent effect to illegal trading, the release said.
According to the 1990 Indonesian Wildlife Act, trade of protected animals like the Sumatran tiger is prohibited. Offenders face up to a five years’ imprisonment and Rp 100 millions in fines.
