Friday, July 30, 2010

Illegal Pet Trade

Endangered animals in Indonesia are protected by the Law No. 5/1990 which carries a sentence of  five years in jail or a fine of Rp.100 million.

In spite of this fact, there has been many media reports about the sales of endangered animals, one of which is reported by Associated Press/Google (below) about illegal pets that are traded openly at a Flora and Fauna Expo in Jakarta from 2 July until 2 August 2010.  

I hope that the authorities, i.e. Ministry of Environment and the Dept. of Forestry would make serious efforts to prevent such trade, although the endangered Pets sold at the said Expo originated from other countries.

Expo shows illegal pet trade rampant in Indonesia
JAKARTA, Indonesia — The most threatened tortoise in the world is being sold openly at a plant and animal exposition in the heart of Indonesia's capital, highlighting concerns about the rampant — and growing — illegal pet trade.

The country has become a major trading hub for endangered tortoises and freshwater turtles, including species from Africa, South America and Asia, said Chris Shepherd of TRAFFIC, a British-based international wildlife monitoring network

He said the government has failed to follow up on repeated promises to crackdown.
Those found Friday at Jakarta's annual flora and fauna expo — held from July 2 until Aug. 2 — included the world's most threatened ploughshare tortoise and the critically endangered radiated tortoises, both from Madagascar and fetching around $150.

Cages also were filled with rare Indian star tortoises, which are protected under the Convention on International Trade on Endangered Species, known as CITES, and the endangered pig-nose tortoise, from Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua, both selling for $1,500.

Vendors told The Associated Press other threatened tortoises and turtles not found on display could easily be obtained for a price.

"Recent surveys, and this expo, have shown that the trade continues and, in fact, now involves more illegally imported species than ever," said Shepherd. "Dealers know full well that it is illegal and are taking advantage of the enforcement agencies lack of action."

Indonesia, one of the most biologically diverse nations in the world, has for years sold everything from eagles and leopard cats to gibbons as pets in the capital, though often less openly. Shady transactions continue to take place in the back alleys of the popular Pramuka Market.

9 comments:

colson said...

Indonesia is World Champion maybe Vice W.Ch) biodiversity and owes it to mankind to do everything in it's power to be so in the future. To reach that goal considerable improvement of the sometimes rather slack enforcement of laws and rules is necessary.

Rob Baiton said...

So, is it as simple as better law enforcement or are their even more fundamental issues that need to be addressed in this case?

In any event, it is not like people did not know that this trade existed or that it was extensive...there have been horror stories for years in the local Indonesian press. There have also been stories of well-to-do Indonesians with personal Zoos!

Unknown said...

@Colson,
You are right that as a country that has one of the riches bioversity, Indonesia has an obligation to preserve by enforcing the laws.

@Rob,
The key would be enforcement of the law for every citizens without any exceptions. Otherwise it would not be effective.

Kitzumi said...

Its stories like this that sicken me. Its bad enough most of these animals are endangered and barely surviving in what little environment is left for them in the wild, but you got these jerks selling them for profit. Its cynical to say, but it seems it doesn't matter how nuch law enforcement you have this sort of practice will still exist.

The only solution I can see for this is to focus on trying to breed as much of the endangered animals as you can. If they're no longer endangered, then they'll be less valuable, therefore less illegal trade. But thats just my opinion...

Unknown said...

KasyZee,
I agree with you, we must breed as many endangered animal as possible.
For that purpose, forests area that are known to be their habitat should protested.
Actually preservation of forests is also important for stabilizing the world's climate. Our experience should that massive deforestation caused climate changes, floods etc.

Mel said...

I think humans should be controlled like the animals are (culling and forced birthcontrol) No more than 2 kids per family. We are taking away the homes of animals and then we eat them/sell them to accomodate our own needs.

These people make me sick!

Unknown said...

Hi Bobi,
Hmm ... interesting opinion.
I agree that human beings should be blamed for the decreasing numbers of the endangered animals.

Unknown said...

Enforcement and a conservation efforts should be in tandem. It wont work if theres selective enforcement or worst no enforcement.

Unknown said...

Hi Umi,
I agree with you that enforcement and conservation must would in tandem