Police chief warned over rare animals

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.