BLITAR – Animals Indonesia, a conservation organization dedicated to the preservation of Indonesian wildlife, is demanding the closure of a mini zoo in the Sentul Village, Kepanjen Kidul District, Blitar City. In a media release titled „Close the Animal Hell in Blitar“ distributed via email, Animals Indonesia has written to the East Java Natural Resources Conservation Center, with a copy sent to the Director General of Forest Protection and Nature Conservation in Jakarta.
„Legally, the zoo is illegal because it does not have a permit as an Ex Situ Conservation Institution,“ said Elizabeth Laksmi, a campaigner for Animals Indonesia, in a statement on Thursday (16/10/2014).
The mini zoo houses a variety of rare animals, totaling around 30, such as Javan lutung, peacocks, cassowaries, yellow-crested cockatoos, and crocodiles. The information gathered indicates that the mini zoo was established around the 2000s. The small zoo is located on land that was originally intended for a place of worship but was later canceled.
In addition to being located near the tomb of Indonesia’s Proclamation of Independence, Soekarno, the zoo is also situated in the middle of a residential area.
„We have tried to conduct assessments to help the management make improvements, but it is almost impossible to do so. The land is too small and located in the middle of a residential area. It only worsens the atmosphere around the Bung Karno Tomb Complex,“ Laksmi explained.
Technically, zoos should meet basic standards for the welfare of wild animals. According to Animals Indonesia, there are five basic standards that must be met. These include animals being free from hunger and thirst, free from pain and disease, free to express natural behaviors, free from physical discomfort, and free from fear and distress.
Laksmi believes that the Ministry of Forestry should conduct a thorough investigation into the origin of the animals in the mini zoo. Animals Indonesia suspects that the animals in the mini zoo were obtained through illegal hunting and trading transactions. Zoos are a capital-intensive business and are closely associated with the illegal trade of rare and protected wildlife. Therefore, decisive action is necessary to prevent similar situations from recurring.
„In this case, it becomes a criminal matter. Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Biological Resources and their Ecosystems clearly regulates this,“ she concluded.
In conclusion, the demand to close the mini zoo in Blitar by Animals Indonesia highlights the importance of upholding legal standards and ethical practices in wildlife conservation. It serves as a reminder of the need to protect endangered species and ensure their well-being in captivity. The closure of illegal zoos is essential to prevent the exploitation and mistreatment of animals, promoting a more sustainable and ethical approach to wildlife conservation.
