Inp.polri.go.id - South Lampung.  A joint team from the Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine Agency Lampung and the Bakauheni Port Police foiled the smuggling of 982 wild birds, including 250 protected species, at Bakauheni Port on Monday.

Head of Bakauheni Port Service, Akhir Santoso, confirmed on Tuesday (18/2/2025) the seizure of a Fuso truck carrying the birds from Pekanbaru to Bekasi. The birds were found hidden in 65 boxes under the truck’s chassis during a routine patrol.

"This smuggling attempt is a serious violation of wildlife protection laws and threatens our ecosystem’s balance," he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Akhir emphasized that wildlife trafficking remains a significant challenge despite increased enforcement efforts. The seized birds, including protected species such as Serindit, Cucak Ijo, and Poksay Mandarin, were in poor condition.

The suspects face charges under Law No. 21/2019 on Animal, Fish, and Plant Quarantine, with a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a fine of Rp 2 billion. They are also subject to Law No. 32/2024 on Conservation, carrying sentences of up to 15 years and fines of up to Rp 5 billion.

The surviving birds have been handed over to the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) for release back into the wild.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)