Color of money is white for Indonesian businessman

Color of money is white for Indonesian businessman

JAKARTA (Reuters): White skin. White fur. Red eyes. To
zoologists, these are classic signs of an albino animal. But to
one Indonesian businessman, they mean big money.

In five years -- and despite the economic meltdown crippling
the country -- Chandra Hendrawan Gunarto has turned a small
albino breeding farm into an export empire, selling everything
from albino snakes to monkeys.

"I saw that people would pay 50 to 100 times more for albino
animals than they would for normal ones," he told Reuters.

Hidden behind closed gates in Serua Village on the outskirts
of the bustling Indonesian capital, Chandra's tranquil breeding
farm covers three hectares and employs 20 people.

He does not talk publicly about how much money he makes, but
says profits have boomed since he began exporting three years
ago.

"Even as we started, the profits were abundant. When these
importers want something we have, they will pay large sums of
money. That's their weakness."

But the qualities that set these animals apart in the eyes of
well-heeled buyers also shortens their lifespan in the jungle.

"Albinos are particularly difficult to find in the environment
because their discoloration, or lack of pigment, causes them to
become easy prey to other animals.

"So they are often eaten before we ever get to find them.
Breeding becomes the ultimate alternative."

Chandra's customers are happy to pay his prices -- up to $800
for an albino python -- and even get into bidding wars with other
clients.

"Demand is growing for albino animals, whether it be for
resale or as pets," he said. "People are willing to bid high
prices for them."

Chandra's operation has the support of animal rights groups in
Jakarta who say it eases pressure on natural animal populations
and reduces the attraction of poaching.

"Breeding -- albino or normal animals -- is good for
conservation of the wildlife population," said an official of
PANTAU, a non-government organization formed to monitor wildlife
breeding.

"It takes the pressure off nature when people reduce their
tendency to hunt as long as the government strictly monitors it.

"As long as all requirements are met by the industry, followed
by strict monitoring from the government... business and nature
can go hand in hand."