Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Forestry Ministry has thwarted an attempt to illegally trade protected birds in Manado, North Sulawesi.
The ministry's Law Enforcement Agency head Ali Bahri said in a statement on Thursday that an operation on March 10 led to the arrest of a suspect attempting to transport two palm cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus) in a vehicle.
A follow-up search at the suspect’s residence uncovered a cassowary chick (Casuarius unappendiculatus), he said.
"Any form of hunting, trade, or illegal possession of protected wildlife will not be tolerated. We will strengthen coordination with stakeholders and enhance monitoring to safeguard Indonesia’s biodiversity," Bahri said.
The suspect planned to send the cockatoos to a buyer in Tolitoli, Central Sulawesi.
He admitted acting as a caretaker and arranging the sale on the orders of another individual based in Surabaya.
The suspect also received commissions from the collection and sale of the animals.
He is suspected of violating Law No. 32 of 2024 on amendments to Law No. 5 of 1990 on the conservation of biological resources and ecosystems.
The offense carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to Rp5 billion (around US$294,000).
All confiscated wildlife has been secured for further handling by the North Sulawesi Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA).
Investigators are continuing to probe possible involvement of other parties in the trafficking network.
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This news was published on Antaranews.com with a title: Indonesia foils illegal trade of protected birds
