Conservation Body Speaks Out on Bandung Zoo Management Tender

Faunaland Indonesia has spoken out regarding its participation in the ongoing tender for managing Bandung Zoo. They stressed that whoever wins the tender must have passion and love for the animals at Bandung Zoo. Faunaland Indonesia CEO Danny Gunalen stated that zoo managers must place animal welfare as the top priority. “Whoever is eventually entrusted with managing Bandung Zoo, in my view, the most important thing is to have passion and love for the animals,” said Danny during the Faunaland Media Experience at Faunaland Buperta Cibubur, which is set to open in June 2026, on Tuesday (12/5/2026). After having passion for the animals, according to him, management must also be carried out in a modern way. Bandung Zoo managers need to balance aspects of animal welfare and health, educational functions, and commercial sustainability. Danny assessed that zoo visitors today no longer just want to see animals but also care about the welfare of the exhibited animals. “The public today does not only want to see animals but also wants to know how the animals are cared for and how conservation institutions are run responsibly,” he said. He stated that the increasing visitor concern is a positive development for conservation institution management. The function of zoos, he said, is not only to present animal collections but also to contribute to preservation through breeding and release programmes. “Good zoo management is when the conservation institution is able to breed animals and, if possible, carry out reintroduction to their natural habitats,” said Danny. During the event, the media was invited to directly view the urban conservation concept developed by Faunaland through the integration of conservation, education, and family engagement. Faunaland actively runs various conservation programmes, including the release of Rote snake-necked turtles and golden cats in collaboration with the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia. Faunaland also develops a conservation approach that combines educational experiences, animal interactions, and family experiences through the Children Safari Experience concept. Meanwhile, Bandung Mayor M Farhan assured that the new manager of Bandung Zoo will be determined on 29 May. However, if there are no interested parties, management will be taken over by the central government. “Insya Allah, on 29 May we will already have a new manager. If we fail, then everything will be taken over by the central government,” said Farhan.