Police chief warned over rare animals

he Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Animal Advocacy Institution (LASA) sent a warning letter on Thursday to Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani over the presence of caged endangered animals on police grounds.

"These mini zoos are in the compound of the driver's license administrative office on Jl. Daan Mogot in West Jakarta, and at the police's Language School in Pisangan Baru Raya, East Jakarta," said LASA executive director Wahyu Kuncoro.

In response to the letter, the head of the police's environmental division, Adj. Sr. Comr. Ahmad Haydar, said the police would move the animals to the Taman Safari animal park in Bogor on Friday.

"We are not violating any laws. Keeping protected animals for personal use is a violation ... but all of these animals were given to us by citizens and were put on display in public places for the general public to enjoy," he told The Jakarta Post.

In its letter, the Animal Advocacy Institution warned that it would file a lawsuit with the Central Jakarta District Court unless the police handed over the animals to an appropriate government organization within 14 days.

The LASA said the site on Jl. Daan Mogot contained two cassowaries, nine deer, more than 10 Papuan kangaroos, two crocodiles, a bear and various protected birds.

At the police language school, the LASA found three peacocks.

Wahyu accused the police of violating Law No. 5/1990 on natural resources and conservation.

"The police should set an example for the people by obeying the law," he remarked.