On 23 January 2024, a joint team from the West Java Center for Conservation and Natural Resources (BBKSDA) for KSDA Region I Bogor and IAR’s Indonesian partners YIARI rescued a Javan langur (Trachypithecus auratus). This animal is endemic to Java and protected by the Government. It is also rare and included on the IUCN Red List of endangered animals.
The West Java BBKSDA team received reports from the public via the Wild Animal Action Quickresponse (TSL) WhatsApp group in Bogor on 22 January. Next, the team coordinated and collaborated with YIARI in evacuating the langur to rescue and secure the animal.
From the results of the initial examination, it was estimated that the Javan langur is still a young adult. A rope was also found tied around its waist. Based on the team’s analysis, the location of the langur, its age and the rope tied to it, it would seem that it came from the illegal pet trade. Usually, young langurs are hunted from the wild after their parents have first been killed. This langur was then secured in the KSDA Region I translocation cage for further handling on 24 January.
Meri Juanda, West Java BBKSDA Advanced Forestry Police Scope of Regional Conservation Section stated that animals that are protected by Government Regulation No. 7 of 1999 will be taken to the field office first before being moved to a rehabilitation center which has more complete facilities for handling Javan langurs. He also expressed his appreciation to the public who had reported the discovery of this protected animal to the relevant authorities. “Thank you to all the people who have reported this protected animal to our Quick Response (BBKSDA West Java). We appreciate people being aware of the importance of preserving animals,” he said.
The rescue activity was led by Imam Arifin, YIARI Animal Management Coordinator and YIARI Veterinarian. He decided to anesthetize the Javan langur so that the evacuation process would run quickly and not cause further stress to the animal. “The condition (of the Javanese langur) was good, when examined after anesthesia. The body condition score of this animal was also quite optimal. “The concern is that there are some ectoparasites such as fleas on it, so the langur is also being given medicine during medical checkup,” he said after he finished the examination.
The langur was found behind the house of a resident in Kotabatu, Ciomas, Bogor, West Java named Selpia. She stated that the langur had been in her backyard for two days. She took the initiative to report the langur to BBKSDA West Java and YIARI after learning that the Javan langur is a protected animal. “My cousin said that langurs are protected animals, so don’t approach them carelessly. So, based on her advice, I reported it to the authorities,” she said when interviewed.
