Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesian Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has affirmed the country's strengthened efforts to foster cooperation with stakeholders, including the law enforcement apparatus, to prevent the smuggling of protected animals.
The minister said that there are about two hundred animals being saved from being smuggled out from Papua every month.
He noted that the figure did not include the unreported ones.
However, the wildlife trade remains a persistent challenge, with hundreds of animals being trafficked undetected, he said.
The minister stressed the importance of collaboration with various parties, including port operators, local police, and the military.
He said that the country is working to ensure that wildlife in Papua is better protected.
Before being released back into the wild, the rescued animals will undergo health checks to prevent the spread of diseases to other species. Minister Antoni affirmed that violators will face severe legal consequences, serving as a deterrent to the public.
He also urged citizens not to buy, sell, or keep wild animals as pets, warning that such practices could lead to the transmission of diseases from wildlife to humans./.
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