West Java BKSDA Evacuates Javan Gibbon That Bit a Student in West Bandung
Before being evacuated, the Javan gibbon underwent anesthesia and a health examination by a veterinarian.
West Bandung (ANTARA) - The West Java Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BBKSDA) evacuated a Javan gibbon from a residential area in Cisarua, West Bandung, after the protected animal escaped from a resident’s home and bit a student.
Head of Public Relations at the West Java BBKSDA, Ery Mild, in Bandung, Friday, said that the Javan gibbon had been kept as a pet by a resident for about five years after being found fallen in the Rancabali area, Bandung Regency.
“The animal is suspected of being kept illegally after being found in a fallen condition in the wild. It has been kept at home in a cage since it was found in Rancabali,” he said.
He explained that the incident began when one of the homeowner’s family members finished cleaning the cage and forgot to close the door, causing the Javan gibbon to escape and roam around the house.
“The victim was immediately taken to the nearest hospital to receive medical treatment to anticipate unwanted things,” he said.
Ery said that the report of the Javan gibbon’s presence was first received by the Bandung Regency Fire Department from local residents, before being forwarded to the Wildlife Rescue Unit (WRU) team of the Section of Natural Resource Conservation, Region III Bandung, West Java BBKSDA.
The WRU team then worked with the conservation partner, the Java Species Indonesia Foundation, to rescue and evacuate the animal.
“After an initial health examination, the animal was taken to the YJSI animal rehabilitation post in Subang Regency for further treatment,” he said.
The West Java BBKSDA reminded the public not to keep protected wildlife because, in addition to violating the law, it also has the potential to endanger the safety of humans and the animals themselves.
He appealed to the public who find protected wildlife in residential areas to immediately report it to officers or related authorities and not handle it themselves to avoid risks to safety.
Previously, the Bandung Regency Fire Department received a report of a resident being bitten by a Javan gibbon in Pasirhalang Village on Wednesday (May 14) at 09.18 WIB.
The Forestry Police of the BBKSDA said that the Javan gibbon is an endemic primate of the island of Java that is protected by the state and is endangered, so it requires special handling.
According to him, the West Java BBKSDA is still tracing the origin of the animal because the natural habitat of the Javan gibbon is not in the forest area of Cisarua sub-district and its surroundings.