PROFAUNA DEMANDS THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE MISSING ELEPHANT IVORY TUSKS AND TIGER SKINS

ProFauna Indonesia, a wildlife protection society, staged a protest in Bengkulu to demand that the enforcement of the law on those involved in the illegal trade of elephant tusks and tiger skins.

Elephant ivory tusks and tiger skins kept in the custody of the Natural Resources Conservation Unit (locally known as BKSDA) in Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia are believed to be stolen by dishonest officials of the department. The exhibits which have been confiscated from poachers and collected from 2002 to 2007 could fetch hundreds of millions of Indonesian Rupiahs. A pair of ivory tusks costs 300 Million Indonesian Rupiahs in the black market.

The trade of ivory tusks and tiger skins violates the 1990 wildlife law concerning the Natural Resource and Ecosystem Conservations. The perpetrators are liable to a maximum five-year prison term and a maximum 100 million rupiah-fine. The evident is being traded illegally which show the government agency’s lack of control.

Law enforcement is necessary to reduce the declining elephant and tiger population in the wild. ProFauna’s data shows that the elephant population in Bengkulu province remains at around 160 and at 2400 – 2800 in Sumatra Island.

The decreasing population is largely due to habitat loss. Many forests in Sumatra are converted into palm oil plantations and industrial woods, leaving elephants with little territory to roam and feed on. In addition, Sumatran elephants are threatened by poaching for their tusks.

Radius Nursidi, ProFauna Bengkulu representative stated, “BKSDA and the police must probe into the case and enforce laws protecting our wildlife on the perpetrators”. ProFauna demands BKSDA Bengkulu to be accountable for the stockpiles of ivories and tiger skins under their custody. ProFauna has repeatedly urged the BKSDA for an explanation, but the government agency so far has reacted declined to comment.

For further information, please contact:

Butet A. Sitohang international@profauna.org