Eight monkeys rescued

JAMBI: Jambi officials have seized eight long tailed monkeys from people in Jambi city over the past two days.

Krismanto Padang, an officer with the Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), explained that the monkeys were all aged between one and eight. He said that the agency would intensify its raid to rescue more protected monkeys as it is estimated that there are some 50 being held in captivity by affluent residents of the city. He said that those residents who surrendered their monkeys voluntarily would not be prosecuted. However, those caught in possession of the monkeys would.

The Natural Resources Conservation Law carries a maximum of five years in jail and a Rp 100 million fine for violators. -- JP