Genman Suhefti Hasibuan, head of the West Papua BBKSDA (Natural Resources Conservation Agency), said the discovery happened during a routine inspection on the ship’s third deck around 7 p.m. local time.
“During the check, our team found one black-capped lory,” Genman told Anadolu Agency by phone on Thursday.
A follow-up search uncovered seven more birds, one of which was already dead.
All eight birds were secured and taken to the BBKSDA office in West Papua for documentation and care.
The black-capped lory is a protected species endemic to Papua, widely found across the region. Genman warned that the birds were likely intended for illegal smuggling out of Papua to be kept as pets.
“The lories are believed to be smuggled outside Papua for private ownership,” he said.
KM Dobonsolo was scheduled to continue its voyage from Sorong to Bau-Bau, Makassar, Surabaya, and finally Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok port.
Despite the seizure, no suspects have been detained as no passengers claimed ownership of the birds.
“We urge an end to such smuggling. If it continues, endemic species like the black-capped lory face extinction,” Genman added.
The Papua region remains vulnerable to smuggling and illegal trade of wildlife.
On February 28, 2022, for instance, a joint team of personnel from the BKSDA and Agricultural Quarantine-West Papua Offices foiled an attempt to smuggle 59 endemic birds and reptiles.
Among the protected animals that could have been saved were 15 green tree pythons (Morelia viridis), nine green tree monitors (Varanus prasinus), and 14 monitor lizards (Varanus indicus).
Meanwhile, several endemic birds rescued from the smuggling attempt included a hooded butcherbird (Cracticus cassicus) and a green-naped lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus).
Those animals that are native to Papua and other Indonesian islands would be smuggled through MV Gunung Dempo, which was anchored at the port of Sorong City on Feb 28, 2022.
The BKSDA-Papua and West Papua Offices continue to protect the provinces' endemic species from the practices of illegal trade and smuggling.
On December 18, 2021, the Papua BKSDA released three lesser birds of paradise (Paradisaea minor) and one magnificent riflebird (Ptiloris magnificus) into the Nyei Toro forest of Ravenirara Subdistrict in the province.
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Translator: Yuvensius LB, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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