by Hotli Simanjuntak for The Jakarta Post
Conservationists from the Aceh Orangutan Forum (FORA) have called on the central government to take stern measures against people who keep protected animals, such as orangutans, as pets.
They have urged the government, through the Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) to immediately confiscate orangutans kept by recreational parks as illegal pets.
“The government should immediately confiscate the protected animals from the hands of incompetent people in Aceh,” said FORA activist Azhar recently.
He said the government’s indecisiveness in legal matters had significantly contributed to wildlife poaching in Aceh. If the situation continued he added, there were concerns that endangered wildlife species, such as tigers, orangutans and rhinoceros could die out.
“This year alone, several tigers and orangutans have been killed due to poaching in various locations, especially in protected forests near human settlements,” said Azhar.
Despite the keeping and displaying of stuffed tigers and other animals being against the law, the government has done little.
This excerpt from a news article appeared in and is courtesy of The Jakarta Post. To read the full article click here.
