According to the ministry's statement received here on Friday, Minister Antoni made the remark while releasing protected animals in Sorong, Southwest Papua, on Thursday (November 21).
"There are about two hundred animals being saved from being smuggled out from Papua every month," he remarked.
He noted that the figure did not include the unreported ones.
"The Natural Resources Conservation Center (KSDA) can control this, but beyond that, we do not know how many more (of such protected animals are being smuggled)," he pointed out.
Antoni explained that his side would work with all stakeholders, including the harbor's masters, the local police, and the military.
"We strive to cooperate closer with them so that animals in Papua can be protected well," he added.
On that occasion, the minister released protected animals into the wild. The protected animals were saved from forest ranger operations, and some were handed over by the community.
The animals released were five black-capped lories, two coconut lorikeets, one black lory, a long-tailed parakeet, and a yellow-crested cockatoo.
Veterinarians certified the birds' health and wild characteristics after they completed the required habituation phase.
On that occasion, Minister Antoni also provided 12 copies of the Social Forestry Decrees for 155 social forestry groups in Sorong. He expected that with the decree, the community could utilize the forest well.
According to Antoni, all parties are responsible for protecting forests and making them a source of community welfare.
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Translator: Prisca, Kenzu
Editor: Arie Novarina
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