Brief Hystory of ProFauna Indonesia
Contents
1994
ProFauna Indonesia was a new name for KSBK (Konservasi Satwa Bagi Kehidupan) or Animal Conservation for Life. KSBK was founded by Rosek Nursahid and Made Astuti in Malang in 1994. The organization was set up as a result of high volume of illegal trade in wildlife in Indonesia and to stop cruelty to wild animals in this trade. There was no other NGO dealing with this issue at that time.
1995
ProFauna investigated the poaching and the trade of wildlife in national parks in Java and Bali.
Coordinated campaign to save small town woodland in Malang, the natural habitat of 35 species of birds, which was going to be demolished for luxurious home development.
1996
ProFauna Indonesia collaborated with ASA (a German NGO) to investigate the trade of wildlife in all bird markets in Java and Bali, which led to ProFauna’s first and future campaigns and protests against the illegal trade of wildlife.
Commenced community based education program about wildlife conservation by visiting some schools and universities in East Java.
Rosek led 500 community and members to demonstrate against the demolition of Malang town woodland. This is the largest environment demonstration in town.
1997
ProFauna published a report on the investigation of the illegal trade of protected Javan hawk-eagles, followed by a public campaign to demand the law enforcement to protect the Javan eagles.
Established the first Indonesia NGO network to monitor the illegal trade of wild animals.
1998
Commenced the education program and awareness raising for the traders of wildlife in Malang bird markets.
Investigated the trade of Papuan lorys and cockatoos in Java and Bali.
Coordinated the campaign to boycott shopping mall in Surabaya where protected wild animals (Javan ebony langurs and coucangs or slow lorises) were sold.
Demonstrated to demand the preservation of town woodland in Malang, as a result the local authority and local parliament issued a regulation to keep the woodland as a green belt area.
Investigated the illegal trades of protected primate species in Java and Bali (Javan langurs, coucangs, gibbons and siamangs).
Coordinated a campaign for conservation of Javan hawk-eagles through public exhibitions, radio broadcast, school visits and workshop in Jember, Malang and Surabaya (East Java).
1999
Investigated the illegal trade of primates in Sulawesi.
Collaborated with IPPL (International Primate Protection League) to stop the export of wild caught protected Proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) to USA and Canada.
Initiated in-depth investigation into the trade of marine turtles in Bali.
Provided assistance to Dept of Forestry in confiscating three orangutans from traveling circus and evacuated the orangutans to the rehabilitation centre in Kalimantan.
Investigated the trade of primates for pets at some shopping malls in East and West Java.
Coordinated a public campaign to protect Javan ebony langurs, which at the time was not listed under a protected status, leading to the issuance of Ministerial decree to put the Javan ebony langurs in the protected list of animals (22 Sept 1999).
Campaigned to stop the catching of wild dolphins in Central Java for use in animal circus or show, as a result the dolphin trapping was discontinued.
2000
Launched a report on the investigation of trade of sea turtle in Bali. Around 27,000 turtles are inhumanely slaughtered each year in Bali for meat.
ProFauna held demonstration and gather petition to demand that Surabaya Zoo return the 23 wild caught protected proboscis monkeys (Nasalis larvatus) to Kaget island, South Kalimantan.
Campaigned against the illegal trade of wild caught leopard cats (Felis bengalensis) in the shopping malls, which resulted in a successful prosecution and a jail sentence of a wildlife trader at Tunjungan Plaza in Surabaya, East Java.
Provided assistance to the Office of Conservancy of Natural Resources (Dept of Forestry), leading to the confiscation of protected wildlife in Bali and Malang.
Members of ProFauna in Medan (North Sumatra) began campaigning for conservation of wildlife in Leuser National park in North Sumatra.
Coordinated campaign for the sea turtle conservation in Bali by holding various exhibitions, education program, petition gathering, art displays, radio broadcast and demonstrations in Denpasar for one year.
Organised National bird watching competition “Indonesian Bird Race 2000”, consisted of 25 teams, each team consisted of 3 persons.
Campaigned to stop bird shooting in Malang town, leading to the issuance of Town Mayor’s instruction to ban such shooting in Malang.
Demonstrated against caged singing bird competition on 24 Sep 2000. This kind of competition has resulted in higher number of birds being trapped from the wild for trade.
Investigated the illegal trade of primate in North Sumatra. The finding revealed that Bintang Medan bird market is one of the primate trade centers for bush meat. In this market, live monkey’s brain was consumed. The practice is barbaric and extremely inhumane.
2001
With funding from Gibbon Foundation, ProFauna began the construction of PPS Petungsewu (Petungsewu wildlife rescue centre), wildlife quarantine and the temporary shelter for confiscated wild animals.
Conducted investigation of the trade of sun bears in Indonesia. 62.9% of traditional Chinese medicine shops in Indonesian sell ingredient containing bear gall bladder. Most of the medicines are imported illegally from China.
Following several campaigns and courageous protests to stop the trade of sea turtles, the Balinese Police, with ProFauna’s assistance, began major confiscation on sea turtles traded in Bali from July 2001. This is an important moment for turtle conservation in Bali, resulting in a decrease of 80% in turtle trade and the prosecution of 6 turtle traders with one trader given one year jail sentence.
15th March 2001, ProFauna Indonesia set up an office in Bali.
Launched a mobile campaign “Primate Freedom Tour” to six large cities in Java to stop the illegal trade of primates. The campaign attracted public and media attention.
Began awareness raising program for the village communities in Banyuwangi and Malang about the conservation of Javan ebony langurs. As a result, the community in Batu, Malang stopped consuming langurs bush meat.
Protested against the large number of animal deaths in Surabaya zoo (giraffes, lions, deers and eagles)
Assisted the local authority, which led to the confiscation of an orangutan from a private company (Titiles) in Denpasar, Bali. Evacuated the orangutan to Wanariset orangutan rehabilitation in Central Kalimantan.
Assisted the BKSDA (Dept of Forestry) offices Jakarta and Bali to confiscate approximately 50 protected and endangered wild animals from traders during 2001.
Investigated into the illegal trade of monkeys for bushmeat in Lampung, Sumatra.
Investigated the trade of hawksbills turtles in Indonesia.
Visited 30 schools in Bali and Jakarta to spread information on conservation of wildlife.
2002
Campaigned and protested against the trade of primate meat in Lampung, resulting in the closure of the slaughter house and the restaurants serving the monkey meat.
On 14
During 2002, ProFauna was involved in 28 confiscation programs on protected wild animals and rescued about 300 animals in various cities in Java and Bali.
Released 120 confiscated sea turtles in Bali and Surabaya.
After 1 ½ years investigation, on 14 July 2002 ProFauna produced a report “Flying without wings” on the investigation into the trade of lorys and cockatoos in Indonesia. The finding exposed the business involvement and the collaboration of some civil servants from BKSDA (Dept of Forestry) office with smugglers and exporters of bird.
Campaigned against the trapping of lorys and cockatoos from the wild for trade. Using “More beautiful in the wild” campaign, ProFauna demonstrated in several cities in Java, Bali, Maluku and Papua by holding public exhibition, petition gathering, school visits, lobbying; the local authorities, regional national army, department of forestry. The campaign successfully stopped the issuance of the catch quota for lorys and cockatoos.
Campaigned against the illegal trade of protected wildlife with the support from national pop group and celebrities such as SLANK, COKELAT and LA LUNA.
Sea turtle campaign in Bali resulted in the prosecution and 5-6 months jail sentence for 3 convicted turtle traders.
22 May 2002, successfully demanded the authority to prosecute a cockatoo trader in Malang, resulted in 4 months jail sentence.
5th July 2002, the completion of the construction of Petungsewu wildlife rescue centre (PPS) and the hand over of the running of the centre to an independent PPS, not for profit foundation. The establishment of PPS Petungsewu foundation involves the following: The department of Forestry, Gibbon Foundation, ProFauna Indonesia and PPS Petungsewu.
Conducted education program and school visits in Maluku (Mollucas), Lampung (Sumatra), Java and Bali. During 2002, 43 schools were visited and 2000 students were given presentation on wildlife conservation.
2002, KSBK was renamed as ProFauna Indonesia
2003
14 January 2003, ProFauna produced a campaign documentary film “Towards Extinction” with the support from Indonesian celebrities.
During 2003, ProFauna Indonesia assisted the police to confiscate about 1500 protected wild animals from traders and private owners.
Released 293 wild animals to their natural habitat in Way Kambas National park in Sumatra.
Released 300 confiscated sea turtles into the sea in Bali.
Investigated the trapping and the trade of primates in Mentawai in Sumatra.
Campaigned and protested against the trade of Hawksbills turtles in Indonesia in several big cities in Java and Sulawesi. The campaign was covered in 30 national media publications.
4th June 2003, five ProFauna activists were physically attacked by hundreds of turtle traders in Benoa, Bali during the raid to save sea turtles.
ProFauna Indonesia demonstrated in Bali against the killing and the trade of sea turtles. During 2003, a further 257 large confiscated sea turtles were released into the sea and three turtle traders were successfully prosecuted and sentenced to 4-8 months.
25th June 2003, ProFauna conducted undercover investigation and unveiled the international criminal network of orangutan smuggling in Jakarta estimated to have exported approximately 40 orangutans per annum to various countries including Europe. At the end of the investigation, an attempt to smuggle two poached juveniles orangutan destined for Taiwan was intercepted. Sadly the baby orangutans died during the process due to a high dosage of tranquilizer. Unfortunately, the leader of the criminal gang only received 5 months sentencing instead of 5 years.
30th July 2003, three of ProFauna activists were badly injured and physically attacked by approx 200 wildlife traders at Pramuka bird market, Jakarta, when they led the police to confiscate wild species smuggled from Sumatra.
Launched parrot campaign “More Beautiful In The Wild”. As a result of this campaign the Governor of North Maluku issued a legislation to stop parrot trapping from the wild and to ban further catch quota.
Assisted police to confiscate protected wild caught parrots in North Maluku. During 2003, 63 parrots were confiscated from the poachers and smugglers.
Together with WSPA campaigned against the use of bear for medicine in Indonesia. Several public exhibitions were held attracting about 30,000 audiences and 20 media coverage.
22nd Sep 2003, awarded 4 regional Chiefs of police with ProFauna awards, recognizing their efforts in law enforcement to protect wildlife.
Received support from the indigenous Kuta villagers in Bali to launch turtle rescue on the coastal area of Kuta. During 2003, 309 turtle hatchlings were protected and released into the sea.
23 Dec 2003, the construction of Petungsewu Wildlife Education Centre (P-WEC) was completed and was officially opened.
2004
Launched campaign of anti trade in protected wild animals by public demonstration in major cities; Jakarta, Semarang, Yogyakarta, Semarang, etc.
Campaigned to stop the trade in turtle shell souvenirs at the shopping centres, using giant inflatable turtle.
Released 56 protected wild species (deers, hornbills, Javan ebony langurs, green peacocks, etc) to natural habitat at Hyang mountain range wildlife reserve.
Constructed and installed large information boards on the legislation of the trade of protected wildlife at bird markets in the following cities: Jember, Ngasem, Yogyakarta, Situbondo, Cirebon, Pangandaran, Ciamis.
Conducted investigation on the poaching and the trafficking of Seram Cockatoos in Seram, Maluku. The result of this investigation was published in the report “Flying without Wings part I”.
ProFauna invited the indigenous Kuta villagers to release 412 turtle hatchlings into the sea at Kuta beach, Bali.
Successfully lobbied the police to enact the law enforcement and to confiscate approximately 52 protected and endangered wild species (orangutans, sun bear, Bali starlings, bird of paradise, etc) from the compound of a sausage factory (PT Titiles) in Bali.
Uncovered the smuggling network and the trade of Siamang (Hylobates moloch) in West Java, which resulted in 3 months jail sentence for the convicted trader.
Assisted the police to confiscate approximately 20 protected species (mostly Hylobates primates), illegally poached in Bengkulu, Sumatra. Many of the animals were found to be sick in the captivity.
19th May 2004, set up ProFauna Members’ forums in various cities and islands (Bengkulu, Central Kalimantan, West Sumatra, East Java, etc).