Indonesian Conservation Official Arrested in Animal Trafficking Sting

Jakarta Globe, Dessy Sagita, June 10, 2013

A Javanese hawk-eagle is released in Gunung Merapi National Park in Sleman,
 Central Java. An environmental group said that Javanese hawk-eagles were
being traded by animal traffickers. (JG Photo/Boy T. Harjanto)

He was tasked with protecting Indonesia’s endangered animals, but an official with the Natural Resources Conservation Agency [BKSDA] may have been one of their biggest threats, police said on Monday.

Police say an official identified as “MHF” was allegedly trafficking endangered animals, selling off species like the loris and the Javan hawk-eagle as exotic pets.

“The suspect claimed he was member of BKSDA, and unfortunately it was true,” said Adj. Sugeng, of the Jakarta Police.

The Jakarta Police, acting on a tip from an animal welfare group, arranged a meeting with the official. When he arrived at Kalibata Mall, in South Jakara, the man allegedly had a Javan hawk-eagle and a pair of lorises in his car, police said.

He was allegedly offering the animals for Rp 10 million ($1,020).

“This is so sad that the animals were sold for that low of a price,” Sugeng said. “This will put our environment in danger.”

Police arrested MHF and charged him with violating the 1990 Law on Conservation and Ecosystem. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.