Sleman Resident Surrenders Kuwuk Cat to BKSDA After Three Weeks of Adoption

An Indonesian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), a protected wild animal, was handed over by a Sleman resident to the Yogyakarta Branch of the Balai Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BKSDA). The protected wildlife had previously been kept for almost three weeks. The kuwuk cat was cared for by a resident named Fitria at her home in Sleman. According to Fitria, the animal was voluntarily given by a friend with no intention of sale. ‘When I received the kuwuk cat, there was no transaction, and there was no intention to sell. The animal was given voluntarily by a friend,’ Fitria said in a written statement received by detikJogja on Saturday 7 March 2026. Fitria admitted that she initially did not know that the animal was a protected wildlife species. However, after learning of its protection status, she was worried about keeping it. She then decided to report the animal’s presence to the Yogyakarta BKSDA. ‘I became anxious, especially after learning that the animal is a protected wildlife species. So I informed the Yogyakarta BKSDA about this protected wildlife,’ she said. Following the report, the Yogyakarta BKSDA through Sleman Kota Wildlife Rescue Resort engaged with Fitria regarding the handover process. From the coordination results, it was agreed that the evacuation would be carried out by the Sleman Kota Wildlife Rescue Resort on Monday (2 March). ‘After administrative procedures were completed, the kuwuk cat was then taken to the Wildlife Rescue Unit (UPS) Bunder to undergo observation and further health monitoring,’ said Giyono, head of the Sleman Kota KSDA Resort. Giyono emphasised that, to date, in Sleman in particular, there are still members of the public who own protected wildlife without a valid official permit. Therefore, the Yogyakarta BKSDA urges the public not to hunt, engage in illegal trade, keep such animals without permits, or damage habitats of protected wildlife. ‘If the public sees or knows of illegal acts against protected wildlife, they are asked to report them to the Yogyakarta BKSDA,’ he said. For information, the kuwuk cat is a protected wildlife species in Indonesia under Ministerial Regulation LHK No. P.106 of 2018. Anyone who hunts, trades illegally, keeps without a permit, or damages habitat will be subject to a minimum three-year prison sentence and a minimum fine of category IV or Rp200 million under Law No. 32 of 2024.