South Kalimantan Quarantine Thwarts Smuggling of 179 Protected Turtles
Banjarmasin (ANTARA) - The Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency of South Kalimantan Province has foiled the smuggling of 179 protected turtles disguised in hidden packages at Trisakti Port, which were about to be sent to Surabaya, East Java.
Head of the South Kalimantan Quarantine, Erwin AM Dabukke, in Banjarmasin on Thursday, stated that the secured turtles consisted of 148 individuals of the batok species (Cuora amboinensis), 29 white-bellied turtles (Siebenrockiella crassicolis) listed in Appendix III, and two byuku turtles (Orlitia borneensis).
“All of them are protected under the Minister of Environment and Forestry Regulation Number P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on Protected Plant and Animal Species,” he said.
Erwin explained that the seizure was carried out after quarantine officers received information from the expedition company regarding a suspicious package sent without clear details of its contents.
Erwin emphasised that the inadequate packaging was deemed potentially harmful to the animals’ health and safety during transport.
Furthermore, such practices violate animal welfare principles by failing to consider space, ventilation, and basic needs during transportation.
Officers also found that the turtle shipment lacked a Health Certificate as required for domestic traffic of quarantine-mandatory commodities.
The absence of this document, Erwin said, constitutes a serious violation as it risks disease spread and threatens ecosystem balance in the destination area.
“These provisions aim to control the circulation of wild animals and prevent illegal trade practices in protected species that could endanger species conservation,” he stated.
Erwin also affirmed that this quarantine action is part of their commitment to strengthen oversight of the traffic in wild and rare plants and animals through synergy with various parties, including expedition services that play a key role in uncovering smuggling attempts.
Subsequently, the secured turtles were transported by the Quarantine Law Enforcement Team (Gakkum) from Banjarmasin to the South Kalimantan BKSDA office in Banjarbaru for rehabilitation and will be translocated or returned to their natural habitats to ensure their survival.
Head of BKSDA South Kalimantan, Agus Ngurah Kresna Kepakisan, expressed appreciation for the established coordination and emphasised the importance of cross-agency collaboration in safeguarding wild animals from illegal trade threats.