Lampung Quarantine Thwarts Wildlife Smuggling Attempt Using Passenger Bus

Bandarlampung (ANTARA) - The Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency (Karantina) of Lampung, together with a joint team, has once again successfully thwarted an attempt to smuggle wildlife using a passenger bus.

“The joint team discovered birds hidden in the bus during inspections at Bakauheni Port, which were intended to be transported to Java,” said the Head of the Lampung Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency, Donni Muksydayan, in Bandarlampung on Monday.

“Officers then secured 55 zebra doves and eight sooty-headed bulbuls. According to the bus driver’s statement, the animals were brought from Ogan Komering Ilir and were to be sent to Serang, Banten. The owner used a fake identity,” he said.

He explained that during the inspection, the animals were not equipped with mandatory documents such as Veterinary Certificates, Domestic Wild Plant and Animal Transport Permits (SATS-DN), and quarantine certificates.

“Without these documents, the shipment of animals is deemed non-compliant with Law No. 21 of 2019 on Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine,” he stated.

He emphasised that Lampung Quarantine continues to synergise with relevant parties in surveillance efforts, which will be further tightened, especially at Bakauheni Port, one of the main entry points for inter-island commodity and animal movement.

“This smuggling via passenger bus is the second incident this year. In addition to violating regulations, this practice also risks wildlife conservation and opens the potential for the spread of animal diseases between regions,” he said.

Donni condemned the repeated smuggling practices using similar patterns. This practice is seen as a method for perpetrators to evade surveillance at entry and exit points.

“Perpetrators continue to exploit various methods to illegally send wildlife, including through passenger buses. This shows that the practice is still prevalent and a serious concern for us,” he said.