ProFauna Bengkulu Representative

Contents

• ProFauna Bengkulu Representative
• ProFauna Demands An Investigation Into The Lost Elephant Ivory Tusks and Tiger Skins Stockpiles
• For further information, please contact

Press Release | Bengkulu, 19 February 2008

ProFauna Demands An Investigation Into The Lost Elephant Ivory Tusks and Tiger Skins Stockpiles

The elephant ivory tusks and tiger skins under the custody of the Natural Resources Conservation Unit (locally known as BKSDA) in Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia are believed to be stolen by some dishonest officials of the department. The evidences which have been collected from 2002 to 2007 could fetch hundred thousand rupiahs, a pair of ivory tusks costs 300 thousand rupiahs in black market.

The trade of ivory tusk and tiger skin violates the 1990 wildlife law concerning the Natural Resource and Ecosystem Conservations. The offenders are liable to a maximum five-year prison term and a maximum 100 million rupiah-fine.

The stock being ilegally traded shows the government agency’s lack of control. ProFauna Indonesia, a wildlife protection society demands for the enforcement on the perpetrators involving in the ilegal wildlife body parts trade, particularly the elephant ivory tusks and tiger skins.

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

The decreasing population is due to the habitat loss. Many forests in Sumatra are converted into palm oil plantation and wood forests. Besides, the elephants in Sumatra are threatened by poaching for their ivory tusks.

Radius Nursidi, ProFauna Bengkulu representative stated, ”BKSDA and the police must probe into the case and enforce the wildlife law on the perpetrators of the lost stockpiles”. ProFauna demands BKSDA Bengkulu to be transparent on the wildlife stockpiles under its custody. ProFauna urges the BKSDA inquiry many times to clear up the matter, but the government agency reacts negatively.

For further information, please contact:

ProFauna Bengkulu Representative
email: radius@profauna.org