All the protected animals have been secured at the Agricultural Quarantine Office for a medical check-upSorong, W Papua (ANTARA) - A joint team of personnel from the Sorong Port Police and the West Papua Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) Task Force on Wednesday prevented the smuggling of 81 endemic birds to Surabaya City, East Java.
The endemic birds that could be saved during the operation to avert smuggling by using MV Labobar included 32 black-headed red parrots and seven yellow-crested cockatoos, Sorong Port Police Chief 2nd Insp. Rifki Istanto revealed.
"We arrest a suspect, identified as HTP, for further investigation. He is a cleaning worker on MV Labobar's Deck 7," he noted in a statement on Thursday.
The endemic birds were found on the passenger ship's deck 7 before sailing from Sorong Port to Ternate then Ambon and Surabaya, he remarked, adding that the vessel belongs to state-owned shipping operator PT Pelni.
The evidence of crime has been secured by the BKSDA personnel to prevent the endemic birds, including eight Cenderawasihs (birds of paradise), from developing signs of stress, he noted.
Related news: Micro hydro power plant being built in West Papua
Local smugglers have repeatedly striven to smuggle endemic animals of Papua and West Papua from Sorong Port in West Papua Province.
On February 28, 2022, for instance, a joint team of personnel from the BKSDA and Agricultural Quarantine Office also foiled an attempt to smuggle 59 endemic birds and reptiles.
Those animals that are native to Papua and other Indonesian islands would be smuggled through MV Gunung Dempo that anchored at the port of Sorong City on Feb 28, Head of the BKSDA-West Papua Office Budi Mulyanto remarked.
The protected animals that were saved comprised 15 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), nine green tree monitors (Varanus prasinus), and 14 monitor lizards (Varanus indicus), he stated.
Related news: W Papua authorities foil attempt to smuggle 59 endemic birds, reptiles
Meanwhile, several endemic birds rescued in the smuggling attempt comprised a hooded butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus) and a green-naped lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus), he revealed.
"All the protected animals have been secured at the Agricultural Quarantine Office for a medical check-up," he added.
The BKSDA-Papua and West Papua Offices continue to protect the provinces' endemic species from the practices of illegal trade and smuggling.
The Indonesian archipelago is blessed with a plethora of flora and fauna, several of which are categorized as "iconic species."
Related news: VP discusses reconciliation, sustainable development with PGGP members
Related news: District heads expect Papua Special Autonomy to provide authority
Translator: Ernes BK, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
