Police Thwart Attempt At Illegal Trade Of Protected Wild Eagles

Surabaya, E Java (Antara Bali) -- The police of East Java province foiled an attempt to trade wild eagles against the law, by arresting a man suspected to be an illegal wildlife trader.

"The trade was carried out by the suspect known by his initials is Pas. After buying the birds from hunters, he sold them on Facebook," Director of Investigation and Special Crimes (Ditreskrimsus) of the East Java Police Senior Commissioner M. Nurrahman said here on Monday.

During the operation, police officers seized one Javan hawk-eagle (Spizaetus Bartelz), one crested hawk-eagle (Nisaetus cirrhatus), two eaglets, and six spotted kestrels (Falco moluccensis).

In addition, two dead sea eagles were confiscated with some evidence such as cartoon boxes, one bird cage, and one artificial bird perch.

The suspect carried out the trade of wild and protected birds of prey for six months, the policeman revealed.

"Each bird was sold for some Rp2 million (around US$150) or more," Nurrahman added.

After the deal was finalized on Facebook, the purchased bird was packed in a box and delivered by courier to the buyer once the agreed price was transferred to the trader's bank account.

The suspect will be charged with article 40 paragraph (2) in conjunction with article 21 paragraph (2) letter a and c of law number 5/1990 on the conservation of the ecosystem and natural resources, in conjunction with government regulation number 7/1999 on protected animals and plants. They carry a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment or a fine worth Rp100 million. (WDY)