The operation was carried out on June 6-7, 2026, by the ministry's Directorate General of Law Enforcement, the National Police's Criminal Investigation Agency (Bareskrim), and the Military Police, the Director of Forestry Criminal Law Enforcement, Rudianto Saragih Napitu, said as cited from an official statement here on Friday.
The joint team thwarted the attempted distribution of protected animals from Papua after receiving information about a sea route allegedly being used for the illegal activity.
"We have ensured that the animals are placed under temporary care at a wildlife rescue center while we secure documents, statements, and information on the distribution route. From the data, we can identify each party's role in who sent them, picked them up, and sheltered the animals," Napitu said, adding that the authority is pushing forward in stages and will investigate deeply.
During the operation, says Napitu, the joint team also secured two officers identified as BI and ZF for questioning.
Some of the animals were found without valid ownership or transport documents. The team is also tracing the shipping route and the parties involved in arranging the distribution of the protected animals, including developing the case to uncover networks profiting from the illegal trade.
The 100 wild animals have been placed under the care of the Tegal Alur Wildlife Rescue Center of the Jakarta Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for treatment and health checks.
The rescued animals comprise various Papuan endemic and protected bird species including four bayan parrots (Eclectus roratus), two koki cockatoos (Cacatua galerita), 19 black-capped kasturi (Lorius lory), six black lories (Chalcopsitta atra), 14 Victoria pigeons (Goura Victoria), and three wompu doves (Ptilinopus magnificus).
Besides, there are also 19 matari finches (Neochmia phaeton), two kabare parrots (Psittrichas fulgidus), three brown lories (Chalcopsitta duivenbodei), and 28 rainbow lorikeets (Trichoglossus haematodus).
Additionally, the Ministry's Director General of Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, said the trade in protected animals has developed into a business that exploits logistical loopholes.
"The case pattern is interregional and may be connected to cross-border networks, so the handling requires a multidoor and interagency approach," he said, adding that the ministry is strengthening efforts to trace the flow of funds with the Financial Transaction Reports and Analysis Center (PPATK).
Nugroho added that if the illegal trade chain extends across borders, the government will pursue the case through international cooperation channels, including Interpol.
He affirmed that the Forestry Ministry would continue intensifying efforts to combat the trade in protected animals as part of the state's strategic agenda to safeguard Indonesia's biodiversity, especially irreplaceable endemic species.
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Translator: Bayu Prasetyo
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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