BKSDA To Intensify Search For Wildlife Kept As Pets

Palembang, S Sumatra, Nov 15 (Antara) - The Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of South Sumatra will build an animal quarantine facility to support its plan to intensify operations to secure endangered animals that are placed in captivity. The Commander of BKSDA`s Rapid Response Forest Police Unit (SPORC), Zaenal Bambang Irwanda said on Friday that the construction of a new quarantine facility will be an essential part of supporting BKSDA`s personnel during the operation, which will be carried out effectively next year. BKSDA will search residents` houses to find if wildlife or any endangered animals have been kept in captivity without legal permits. Irwanda pointed out that as per Law no.5/1990 governing Natural Resources and Ecosystem, keeping a protected animal in captivity was prohibited. The BKSDA also plans to take strict action against those who are found to have kept wildlife as their pets and will seize these animals for conducting their socialization this year. Furthermore, the quarantine facility will be built according to appropriate standards for captivity, before the seized animal is returned to the wildlife. Earlier on Tuesday, the BKSDA unit of Bali had seized four protected animals from a man who was displaying them as a tourist attraction at the Tanah Lot Temple in Tabanan, Bali. BKSDA officers seized four animals, namely a koala, a wreathed hornbill, an eagle and a yellow-crested cockatoo. "After a lengthy investigation, we finally seized the endangered animals," BKSDA`s lead investigator Dewa Gede Yoga stated. If found guilty of violating Law no5/1999, the owner of the animals, a local resident called I Nyoman Wandi, will face a prison term of up to five years and a fine of up to Rp100 million.