BKSDA officials rescue protected turtles

BKSDA officials rescue protected turtles

Indra Harsaputra, The Jakarta Post, Surabaya

The East Java Natural Resources Conservation Body (BKSDA) has
foiled a smuggling attempt of 7,275 turtles from Merauke, Papua.
During the raid in Tanjung Perak seaport here on Monday, the
BKSDA officials also seized a black head parrot (Lorius lorry).

Chief of the BKSDA Nurhadi Utomo said that the turtles and
parrots are now in good hands at the BKSDA's office in Kutisari
area, Surabaya. The animals will soon be handed over either to
Surabaya Zoo or Prigen Safari Park, where they will receive
medical care before being set free, said Nurhadi.

According to Nurhadi, there have been no other turtle
smuggling attempts through the port. Out of the 7,275 turtles,
145 died due to lack of oxygen. The pig-nosed turtles
(Carettochelys insculpta) were found inside several drums inside
a boat crew room. Besides seizing the protected animals, the
officials also arrested four suspects in the smuggling attempt,
namely Yoseph Diaz, the captain of Tri Jaya Abadi boat and three
other crew members, Supriyadi, Agus Krisdiantoro and Sapto
Haryono.

The suspects will be charged with smuggling protected animals.
If they are found guilty, they could face a maximum sentence of
10 years' imprisonment and a Rp 200,000 (US$22,222) fine for
violating the law on the Natural Resources Conservation Body.

Nurhadi said that his office had been alarmed by the case and
were investigating whether other protected animals were being
smuggled into Surabaya. "We are closely monitoring some places in
Surabaya where the trade of protected animals is known to take
place, such as Bratang bird market and an animal market in the
city," said Nurhadi.

The pig-nosed turtle is a protected species under the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora (CITES). This turtle species can grow up to 55
centimeters long. The turtle can easily be found traded in some
animal markets in Surabaya and sold for between US$1 and US$5 per
animal.