Councillor nabbed for tiger-skin trade<\/p>\n
BENGKULU, Bengkulu: A councillor from the Golkar Party
\nfaction, identified only by his initials RK, was arrested on
\nFriday on charges of trafficking a protected species, an official
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Agus Priambudi, head of the Bengkulu natural resources
\nconservation office, said police seized a freshly skinned hide of
\na Sumatran tiger (Panthera Tigris Sumatrae) from RK's car.<\/p>\n
The arrest might be the first ever in Indonesia of a political
\nfigure under Law No. 15\/1990 on wildlife protection.<\/p>\n
The law carries a penalty of a 10-year sentence or a maximum
\nRp 100 million (US$12,500) fine.<\/p>\n
\"A group of people, involved in the trafficking of protected
\nanimals, have established a network based in the South Sumatra
\ntown of Lubuk Linggau. But it's difficult for us to trace their
\nexact whereabouts,\" Agus said.<\/p>\n
He also said a Sumatran tiger was found dead near a forest
\nreserve in Muko-Muko regency, Bengkulu.<\/p>\n
He said his office was investigating the death of the tiger.<\/p>\n
The protected animal lived in Kerinci Seblat National Park,
\nnear Bengkulu.<\/p>\n
There are only about 150 Sumatran tigers remaining in the
\npark, which is the largest wildlife conserve in Sumatra. --
\nAntara<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/councillor-nabbed-for-tiger-skin-trade-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}