Indonesia Remains a Link in Global Wildlife Trade Chain, Says Expert

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesia's rich biodiversity is an invaluable asset, said Ronny Rachman Noor, an Ecological Genetics Expert from IPB University. He emphasizes that, beyond their beauty and uniqueness, wild animals are integral to animal population structures, food chain architecture, and maintaining ecological balance in their natural habitats.

"Unfortunately, due to various reasons, including economic hardship and survival, these protected wild animals are still being illegally hunted and traded," Ronny said in a written release on Monday, June 30, 2025.

According to Ronny, local residents often resort to hunting wild animals due to urgent economic needs. However, further down the chain, traders and collectors are primarily driven by the pursuit of substantial profits from this illicit business.

He noted that Pacific countries, despite their natural beauty and biodiversity, are also ensnared in the trap of wild animal hunting and trading for similar reasons.

A variety of wild animals, such as red parrots, doves, white cockatoos, and purple cockatoos, are frequently targeted by hunters. Once captured, these animals are gathered by traders before entering the illegal wildlife trade chain, destined for both private collectors and the global exotic pet market.

"It's not just birds; various reptiles like snakes, butterflies, and other wild animals are also not spared from this illegal hunting in the Pacific region," he added.

A Lucrative Business

Ronny highlighted data from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) indicating that the Solomon Islands are the largest exporter of illegal wildlife in the Pacific region. These wild animals, once overlooked, are now heavily exploited due to a surge in demand for exotic pets, leading to increased involvement from local hunters.

He explained that the illegal wildlife trade continues to grow, holding significant economic value. The United Nations (UN) reports that Pacific countries illegally export over 1,000 wild animals abroad each year. This trade feeds into a global market estimated to be worth around Rp656 trillion annually.

Ronny pointed out that the Solomon Islands still possess vast natural forests that serve as habitats for numerous wild animals. However, limited infrastructure and challenging road access make it extremely difficult for authorities to monitor illegal hunting activities effectively.

"In such situations, urgent economic problems compel some local residents to rely on trapping and hunting wild animals to sell to collectors," he said.

Indonesia's Role in the Chain

Among wildlife conservationists, Pramuka and Jatinegara markets in Jakarta are known as hubs for wildlife trading, according to Ronny. These locations not only house wild animals from various regions across Indonesia but also from numerous other countries, traded both legally and illegally.

"Given their trading scale and reputation, it's no surprise that the Pramuka and Jatinegara wildlife markets are known worldwide as one of the largest wildlife markets in Southeast Asia," Ronny stated.

He noted that Indonesia does have Wildlife Protection Laws in place. These regulations aim to combat and reduce the volume of illegal wildlife trade, with penalties including imprisonment for individuals involved in capturing and trading wild animals without specific permits. However, in practice, monitoring remains weak, allowing openly visible illegal wildlife trading to continue thriving and be easily found.

The end of this wildlife trade chain often leads to collectors living in various countries, with the United States being the world's largest exotic pet market.

Ronny emphasized that owning wild animals without adequate knowledge of their behavior, habitat, and proper dietary needs can severely endanger their survival.

"Wild animals kept in unsuitable habitats will experience severe stress, which can lead to reproductive failure and even death," he added. He concluded with a poignant question: "Isn't it better to enjoy wild animals in their natural habitat rather than to own them?"

Editor's Choice: 5 World's Best National Parks for Wildlife Experiences

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News

IESR Urges Indonesia to Accelerate Renewable Energy Development

35 menit lalu

Why Indonesian Volcano Rinjani Captivates Hikers Worldwide?

1 jam lalu

Indonesian Govt Calls for Thorough Response to Job Scams in Cambodia

2 jam lalu

Indonesia Reaches New Level of Climate Change, BRIN Study Reveals

3 jam lalu

Indonesian Women's National Team Defeats Kyrgyzstan 1-0 in 2026 Asian Cup Qualifiers

8 jam lalu

Astronomy Professor Criticizes Global Hijri Calendar, Muhammadiyah Responds

21 jam lalu

Indonesia's Tourism Ministry Initiates Audit and Retraining After Falling Hiker Incident at Mount Rinjani

22 jam lalu

KPPU Holds Hearing on Alleged Collusion in Customs Directorate General Tender

1 hari lalu

Indonesian Police Food Task Force Investigates Alleged Fraud in Premium Rice Sales

1 hari lalu

212 Non-compliant Premium Rice Brands Discovered in Indonesia, Costing Consumers Up to Rp99tn per Year

1 hari lalu