JAYAPURA—The Papua Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA) explained that one cause of the rampant smuggling of local wildlife is the lack of personnel who conduct surveillance at airports and ports.

On the other hand, many access points or exits from Papua contribute to the smuggling of Papuan wildlife.

“Only 36 forest rangers in our working area, while we oversee four provinces.”

“Of course, this condition impacts the number of wildlife smuggling from Papua,” said Head of Technical Division of BBKSDA Papua, Yulius Palita, Thursday.

However, to anticipate this condition, BBKSDA Papua has built cooperation with related parties, such as the police, quarantine and others.

“We are also helped by the airlines who are now more concerned about the preservation of wildlife,” said Yulius.

In addition, socialization on wildlife protection regulations has also been given to officers at airports and seaports.

“Hopefully, with socializing the regulation, this cooperation can maximize the prevention of Papuan wildlife smuggling,” he said.

Meanwhile, he admitted that he has received hundreds of wildlife translocations from 2021 to 2024.

As many as 42 Papuan wildlife such as pig-snouted turtles and crocodiles were returned in 2021.

This Papuan wildlife was returned from East Java, Central Java, North Sulawesi and others.

“In 2022, around 36 species of birds and reptiles will not be protected,” he said.

In 2023, the office received 69 species of wildlife from Jakarta, East Java and South Sulawesi. Finally, on November 4, 2024, they received 75 animals including green pythons, lizards and monitor lizards.

“They were returned to Jayapura and around 7,631 animals returned to Timika. Most species of pig-snouted turtles repatriated from outside Papua,” he said. ***