Indonesia: 26 Pangolins and 10 Pythons Seized from Smugglers

Rhishja CotaAsia, Mammals, Pangolins, Reptiles, Southeast Asia
26 pangolins and 10 pythons were seized in Sumatra. Image via YouTube
26 pangolins and 10 pythons were seized in Sumatra. Image via YouTube

26 pangolins and ten pythons were confiscated when a smuggling attempt on the southwest coast of Sumatra was foiled by authorities.

The Bengkulu Natural Resouce Conservation Agency (BKSDA) and the Kepahiang District Police (Polres) seized the pangolins and pythons in the Bermani Ilir sub-district on May 14th. 25 of the pangolins, along with the pythons, were later released in the Taman Wisata Alam Seblat/ Seblat Nature Recreation Park (part of the Kerinci-Seblat National Park). They were destined for Palembang, and then overseas.

One of the pangolins seized in a foiled smuggling attempt is still being treated. Image via YouTube
One of the pangolins seized in a foiled smuggling attempt is still being treated. Image via YouTube

Mr. Dwi Anggoro, BKSDA chief in Bengkulu Province said that one pangolin was still being treated and would be “released into the wild in the same place as the others once it is well”. BKSDA hopes that the release will allow the wildlife to “thrive and be free from the threat of extinction”, adding that the release site was chosen because it is under the care of the Forestry Department.

Watch a video of the pangolins and pythons being released into the forest:

Translation of the video kindly provided by Elizabeth John, TRAFFIC Southeast Asia.

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I am the founder of Annamiticus and I have been researching and writing about wildlife trafficking issues since 2009. I also founded World Pangolin Day in 2012. I am the author of USAID Wildlife Asia's Pangolin Species Identification Guide: A Rapid Assessment Tool for Field and Desk. I co-facilitated and was a presenter at the USAID Wildlife Asia Pangolin Care Workshop. At the 4th Regional Dialogue on Combating Trafficking of Wild Fauna and Flora, I facilitated the species roundtables on pangolins. I have trekked with forest rangers in Cambodia, journeyed to the streets of Hanoi to research the illegal wildlife trade, and to the rainforests of Sumatra and Java to document the world’s rarest rhinos. At CITES meetings, I collaborate with colleagues from around the world to lobby in favor of protecting endangered species. I hosted the Behind the Schemes podcast and am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine. I enjoy music, desert gardening, herping, reading, creating, and walking with my dogs. Check out my t-shirts and stickers at snoots + teefers.