Authorities silent over endangered species sales<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Pramuka bird market in East Jakarta does not
\nonly sell birds, people can also procure rare animals from the
\ntraders through \"black market\" transactions.<\/p>\n
Rumors about the illegal trading at the market are widespread
\namong Jakartans and ironically, the market is adjacent to the
\nmain office of the city-owned market management PD Pasar Jaya.
\nBut the market authority, seemingly, has done nothing to stop the
\nillicit trading.<\/p>\n
Some traders admit that the illegal trade in rare animals has
\nlasted for years but no legal action has ever been imposed.<\/p>\n
Pasar Jaya management could not be reached on Saturday for
\ncomment on the illegal business.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post witnessed several traders secluding rare
\nanimals in an untraveled area at the rear of the bird market,
\nhidden among the kiosks. Naturally, it would be difficult for
\nsomeone to find the place accidentally.<\/p>\n
Moreover, the only entry to the trading area on the second
\nfloor, is always \"guarded\" by people who sit on the stairs,
\npreventing casual visitors and \"unfamiliar faces\" from
\napproaching the area without being properly screened.<\/p>\n
The traders do not display their merchandise, but several
\nshills search for prospective customers, inquiring in low voices
\nif the potential customer has interests in rare animals. Anyone
\nshowing interest who looks genuine is then escorted to a \"quiet\"
\nplace.<\/p>\n
The quiet place is merely a location away from prying eyes and
\nacute ears where the trader and customer can talk in confidence.<\/p>\n
The animals are not kept at this location and traders only
\nbring an animal to the \"transaction area\" after the customer
\nmentions the animal he wants.<\/p>\n
Various rare animals can be found there, like baby Malayan
\nbear, porcupine, gibbon, Cendrawasih, and a feline they call
\nAngola cat. Prices range between Rp 900,000 (US$128) and Rp 7
\nmillion.<\/p>\n
A trader's assistant, identified only as Haris, said he could
\nprovide any kind of rare animal a customer might want.<\/p>\n
\"Just mention what kind of animal you want, then we will
\nsearch for the creature,\" said Haris, who claimed to have a
\nnetwork of rare animal procurers throughout the country.<\/p>\n
Abdul Hamid, who has been a trader for about 10 years, said
\nlocal traders relied on suppliers, who came from as far away as
\nIrian Jaya in eastern Indonesia.<\/p>\n
\"Usually, we notify our suppliers to search for animals that
\nhave been ordered by our customers,\" he said, while offering a
\nbaby Malayan bear for Rp 3 million.<\/p>\n
Hamid said his customers were mostly rich people or military
\ntop brass. He mentioned a well-known Army general who was a
\ncustomer.<\/p>\n
The trading of such rare animals is forbidden under Law No.
\n5\/1990 on natural resources and ecosystem conservation, and Law
\nNo. 16\/1992 on fish, animal and plant quarantine.<\/p>\n
Any violator of the laws can be sentenced to a maximum of
\nthree years in prison and a fine of Rp 150 million. (ind)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/authorities-silent-over-endangered-species-sales-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}