Viral Tapir in Lampung Cooked by Suspects into Rica-rica

Police have arrested four of six residents who killed a tapir in Mesuji Regency, Lampung. The perpetrators also distributed and cooked the meat of the protected animal. “From the results of the arrest at the location, we found the skeletal remains of the animal and leftover tapir meat that had been cooked by the perpetrators, so it was cooked like rica-rica,” said Mesuji Police Chief AKBP Muhammad Firdaus. Firdaus stressed that his party had issued an appeal to the public after the animal appeared in the middle of the Trans-Sumatra Highway on Thursday morning. “Previously, we had appealed to the public not to hunt, let alone kill protected animals,” he said. For their actions, the perpetrators face charges under Article 40a paragraph 1 letter d of Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems. “This regulation strictly prohibits capturing, injuring, killing, storing, or trading protected wildlife. The perpetrators are still under investigation,” said Firdaus. Previously, a tapir had caused a stir among residents after being recorded walking on the East Trans-Sumatra Highway, in the Register 45 area, Mesuji Regency, Lampung.