Four Tapir Killers Arrested in Lampung, Lawmaker Urges Stern Sanctions

Police have arrested four of six perpetrators involved in the killing of a tapir that appeared on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in Mesuji, Lampung. Member of Commission IV of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) from the National Awakening Party (PKB) faction, Daniel Johan, expressed shock at the perpetrators’ actions. “How heartless. The perpetrators must be processed legally and investigated to determine whether their actions were committed out of ignorance or with full awareness that the tapir is a protected animal,” said Daniel Johan when contacted on Saturday (4/7/2026). Daniel stated that if the perpetrators knew the tapir’s protected status, they must face firm sanctions. He hopes this will create a deterrent effect. “If it is proven that they were aware of its protected status yet still hunted or killed it, then law enforcement officials must impose strict sanctions in accordance with prevailing regulations. Consistent law enforcement is essential to provide a deterrent effect while protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity,” he said. Nonetheless, he views this issue as not solely a matter of law enforcement. According to him, there needs to be efforts in supervision and prevention. “The government must also strengthen conservation efforts by protecting the tapir’s natural habitat, preventing uncontrolled forest conversion, and enhancing public education so that human-wildlife conflict can be minimised. Wildlife protection must go hand in hand with ecosystem protection,” he stated. The Chairman of the PKB Central Executive Board stressed that the tapir is a protected animal. Any act of hunting or killing constitutes a criminal offence. “Therefore, preserving the tapir is not only the government’s responsibility but also that of all elements of society in order to maintain ecosystem balance and the heritage of biodiversity for future generations,” he added. It was previously reported that police arrested four of the six perpetrators involved in the killing of a tapir that appeared on the Trans-Sumatra Highway in Mesuji, Lampung. The four arrested perpetrators are Ketut Suwarne (50), Wayan Supatre (30), Tri Suharyanto (45), and Made Putra Yasa (43). Prior to being killed, the tapir had caused a stir among residents after being recorded walking along the East Sumatra Highway in the Register 45 area, Mesuji Regency, Lampung. The animal is believed to have strayed from its habitat before being found dead and dismembered. The perpetrators were eventually arrested in the early hours of Friday (3/7/2026) after a video of the slaughter went viral on social media.