International Animal Rescue is one of several NGOs to have supported a successful police raid on an animal market in Jakarta. The raid by the Indonesian government’s quick response unit, locally known as SPORC, led to the arrest of four traders dealing in tiger skins and body parts in Rawabening market. The team also recovered 61 items of tiger skins, a tiger skull, a stuffed leopard, a piece of leopard head skin, five pieces of bear skin and some other body parts of protected animals.
The illegal trade in the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) poses a serious threat to the animal’s survival in the wild. In 2008 the NGO ProFauna surveyed the trade in elephant and tiger parts in Indonesia. It showed that among 21 big cities in Indonesia, ten cities or 48% were locations where the illegal trade was taking place.
It is hoped the arrest of the four traders will act as a strong deterrent to others dealing or thinking of dealing in protected species. Under the 1990 Indonesian Wildlife Act, the trade in protected animals like the Sumatran tiger is strictly prohibited. Offenders will receive a jail sentence of up to five years and a fine of up to IDR 100 million (US$ 11,000).
Alan Knight, Chief Executive of International Animal Rescue said: “Law enforcement is a key factor in tackling the illegal trade in wildlife and International Animal Rescue will continue to give the local police its full support in this area.”