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60 Pangolins Released to the Wild
Jambi — A total of 60 pangolins, confiscated by the Marine Police of the Jambi Police in the waters of Tanjung Jabung Barat last week, were released in Harapan restoration forest in Batanghari district, Jambi province.
“The pangolins were released by the police and the Agency for Natural Resources Conservation (BKSDA) of Jambi province. The animals are suspected to be smuggled to Singapore, but the act was prevented by the marine police,” said Chief Executive of the Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Didik Wurjanto, in Jambi on Tuesday (1/6/2010).
Didik said that before released, the pangolins were held temporarily at Taman Rimba Jambi Zoo. The pangolin is an endangered species protected by the law. By returning the animals to the forest, hopefully the population can increase and contribute to the forest ecosystem and nature balance in Jambi.
Harapan forest in Batanghari district was selected for the release because the forest has enough food to support the population. Also the forest is managed by PT. Restorasi Ekosistem Indonesia (Reki) who will protect the pangolins from poaching.
In Jambi province, the pangolin population is quite healthy. Many could still be found in lowland forests, which are plenty in the province. If the animals were successfully smuggled out, the province would have suffered up to Rp. 2 billion’s worth of forest and ecosystem conservation, plus the price of the animals.
Release of the pangolins to Harapan forest in Batanghari district was conducted by Marine Police Director of the Jambi Police, Police Grand Commissioner Adjutant (AKBP) Bambang Irianto, Production Director Listia Kusuma Wardana, and Chief Executive of Jambi Natural Resources Conservation Agency, Didik Wurjanto.
Source : Kompas.com