Indonesia’s Wildlife Crimes Unit
- Black Market Tigers Video
- A Wildlife Crimes Unit coordinator talks about fighting a dangerous trade in Indonesia.
- ©WCS
- Tarsius Indonesian Wildlife Crimes Unit Photo
-
Tarsiers are among the wildlife impacted by hunting and wildlife trade.
- ©WCSIP
A spectacular variety of wildlife species live on the islands of Indonesia, from birds of paradise to tigers and elephants. As one of the most biodiverse countries on Earth, it also has one of the highest human populations—the fourth largest in the world. The island faces heavy development pressure, and increasingly, its people are harvesting the wealth of natural resources to supply a growing wildlife trade. The islands are now home to the highest number of internationally threatened mammals and birds, largely due to uncontrolled hunting. To help stem the trade, WCS and the Indonesian Department of Forestry work together as “Wildlife Crimes Units,” conducting on-the-ground enforcement as well as education campaigns.
Challenges
Hunting and wildlife trade have tremendous impacts on the biodiversity of Indonesia. Tons of turtles and pangolins (a type of scaly anteater), are exported on a weekly basis, and about 1.5 million wild-caught birds are sold in a bird market every year in Java, according to the wildlife trade monitoring network known as TRAFFIC. A steady demand for tiger parts fuels a lucrative export trade from Sumatra to China, where tiger skins and bones are sold as souvenirs, talismans, and ingredients for traditional medicines.
While Indonesia does have a system of laws to control wildlife hunting and trade, enforcement is weak. In addition, many of its protected areas lack adequate resources and staff to prevent poachers from entering.
Goals
- In key locations, establish Wildlife Crimes Units comprising teams of staff members from various government agencies, including the judiciary, as well as local NGOs and the media.
- Mount a media campaign to raise awareness about the perils of wildlife crime and to promote strict controls.
- Expand the network of Wildlife Crimes Units throughout Indonesia.
What WCS is Doing
WCS created the first Wildlife Crimes Unit in 2003. Since then, others have been established in southern and northern Sumatra, and WCS is working to create teams in Maluku and Jakarta. The units provide data and technical advice to law enforcement agencies to support the investigation and prosecution of wildlife crimes. They also work to raise community awareness of prohibitions against wildlife trade.
From the Newsroom
As Indonesia steps up the fight against the illegal wildlife trade, one baby orangutan confiscated from the pet trade in Sumatra prepares for a return back to the wild.
Indonesian authorities arrest a bird smuggler traveling through the island of Sumatra by bus, saving more than 20 rare birds—including the palm cockatoo—from becoming victims of the illegal wildlife trade.
As organized crime steps up its game in wildlife trade, a WCS conservationist suggests fighting back through increased law enforcement and better use of resources.
In a huge wildlife trade bust in Da Lat City, Vietnamese authorities make arrests and confiscate more than 850 pounds of illegal wildlife meat from restaurant kitchens.
WCS scientists upgrade camera-trap research by developing huge virtual photo albums of species living in large landscapes.
Raiding an illegal trafficking operation, the Indonesian government, WCS, and our conservation partners take a bite out of wildlife crime on Borneo.
Recent arrests and prosecutions in Sumatra and Jakarta put the heat on illegal wildlife traders attempting to sell Sumatran tiger skins. WCS’s Wildlife Crime Unit played a key role in the arrests.
The Wildlife Crime Units help intercept the trade in illegal tiger parts on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Ten arrests have been made in three months.