M

any animal deaths at the Surabaya Zoo in East Java have gone unresolved, and now a barking deer has been found dead inside its enclosure.

'€œThe deer was eight years old. It was initially found dead by public order officers who were conducting a routine patrol at 5:30 p.m.,'€ zoo spokesman Agus Supangkat told The Jakarta Post on Thursday.

On Jan. 31, a female deer died after a miscarriage, as indicated by a damaged fetus in its womb. '€œThe cause of death has yet to be determined as a necropsy is still being done in the quarantine room,'€ said Agus.

He added that the zoo had 19 other deer, comprising five adult males, four adult females and 10 fawns.

Although six of the zoo'€™s animals had died in the past month, no laboratory tests on the carcasses had been conducted and no one has been held responsible.

In the first week of January, a gnu, or African antelope, and a lion were found dead. The antelope died from a stomach disorder, while the lion was found dead in its cage hanging from a wire around its neck.

In the second week of January, a mountain goat died after fighting with other goats in the cage, followed by a Bawean deer that died from an infection after the amputation of a fractured leg. A male Komodo dragon also died of a digestive tract disorder.

On Feb. 6, a 17-year-old Bengal tiger was found dead in a treatment cage.

Surabaya Zoo Provincial Enterprise (PDTS) operational director Liang Kaspe indicated that the number of animal deaths at the zoo was acceptable.

'€œIt would be impossible for the number of animal deaths to be zero. The deaths are natural. Many animals also die at conservation institutions, but they are not publicized,'€ said Liang.

Surabaya Zoo PDTS managing director, Ratna Achjuningrum, said 84 animals from the zoo'€™s collection would die in the near future. Of the number, 44 had chronic diseases and 40 were old.

'€œWhen the PDTS was appointed to manage the zoo, their condition was already like this. They are getting appropriate treatment,'€ said Ratna.

She added that based on data between July and September 2013, the number of animal deaths was around 0.399 percent of the total animal population at the zoo.

'€œThis is considered normal and in line with regulations, especially since some of the animals are pregnant, such as a proboscis monkey and hippopotamus,'€ she said.

A Directorate General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation regulation stipulates annual animal mortality rates during normal conditions as: 0 to 10 percent good, 11-20 percent moderate and 21 percent and above poor. Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini said her administration was waiting for the issuance of a conservation permit from the Forestry Ministry so the mayor would have full authority over the zoo'€™s management.

'€œI can'€™t do anything much about the zoo without a conservation permit. I care and am saddened that many of the animals have died,'€ said Risma.

Separately, Indonesia Zoo Animals Association (PKBSI) head Tony Sumampauw said that in accordance with procedures set by the Forestry Ministry, the Surabaya administration was entitled to the principle permit because experience showed that the Surabaya Zoo was managed poorly.

Tony was the former head of Surabaya Zoo temporary management task force, which was established by the Forestry Ministry in 2010. It was reported to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) by Rismaharini for reportedly relocating animals to another conservation institution without permission from the administration.

Tony said the relocations were in line with procedure, adding that everything was clearly documented and approved by the relevant agencies, including the municipality.

'€œI'€™m ready to be summoned by the KPK so the issue can be resolved immediately,'€ said Tony.