Smuggling of 203 birds thwarted on Trans Sumatra Toll Road

Bandarlampung (ANTARA) – The Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and police forces thwarted the shipment of 203 birds without official documentation on the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar section of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road in Lampung.

“The birds were found in an interprovincial bus operated by PO ALS with registration number BK 7392 LD, which runs from Medan to South Lampung,” said Itno Itoyo, Head of the Lampung III Natural Resources Conservation Section (KSDA), in a statement in Bandarlampung on Saturday.

He explained that the case was uncovered following public information about suspected wildlife bird trafficking. In response, officers from BKSDA Bengkulu’s Lampung III Conservation Section coordinated with the Lampung Provincial Police Traffic Corps (PJR) to conduct a check.

At around 10:26 AM WIB, officers stopped and inspected the bus at kilometre 127B of the Bakauheni-Terbanggi Besar Toll Road.

“Officers discovered 203 birds comprising 27 small leafbirds, 22 Sumatran lorikeets, four white-rumped shamas, 120 white-shouldered starlings (pleci), and 30 red-tailed babblers,” he said.

The suspected owner of the wildlife shipment, along with the seized evidence, was detained at the Tegineneng Main PJR facility for further investigation.

Meanwhile, all seized birds were handed over to the Lampung III Conservation Section officers for rehabilitation before being released back into their natural habitats.

“The unauthorised trade of wildlife remains a serious threat to biodiversity conservation. We appreciate public support in providing information, which enabled swift enforcement action,” he said.

Meanwhile, BKSDA Bengkulu Head Agung Nugroho stressed that his agency would continue to enhance surveillance of wildlife trade traffic, particularly on distribution routes prone to illegal activities.

“We are committed to strengthening inter-agency coordination to prevent and combat illegal wildlife trade. Wildlife is a vital part of the ecosystem that must be jointly protected,” Agung said.

“The authorities’ ability to detect wildlife smuggling continues to improve, leading to a decline in illegal trade and enhanced protection for bird populations in their natural habitats,” he added.