News | March 2008

ProFauna Helps The Release of Recently Seized Parrots

Ivory priced 150 million rupiah

Ivory priced 150 million rupiah

On 29^th February 2008, ProFauna Indonesia received a tip-off about six Eclectus parrots (Eclectus roratus) being smuggled from Maluku to Sulawesi and advised the forestry department which succeeded in foiling the trafficking attempt. Unfortunately, the government officers did not arrest the perpetrator who claimed that the parrots were gifts, but did seize the birds.

Ivory priced 150 million rupiah

However ProFauna believes that he is a professional smuggler since he cruelly crammed the birds into water pipes. This is against the wildlife protection law which stipulates that trade in protected species is prohibited and offenders will get a maximum of 5-years in jail and Rp. 100 millions in fines.

Ivory priced 150 million rupiah

Having examined the parrots' condition, ProFauna suggested the forestry department released the Eclectus parrots back into the wild. With funding provided by ProFauna, the government officers released the parrots in a forest in Maluku on 2nd of March 2008. ProFauna also assisted the officers to do a four-day post release observation. ProFauna continues to urge the government to enforce the law in order to curb the illegal trade and deter the perpetrators.