RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – The Forestry Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the protection and safety of animals at the Bandung Zoo in West Java. This move follows the securing of Regional Property (BMD) in the form of land owned by the Bandung City Administration and the cessation of activities by the Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT).

The measure coincides with the Forestry Ministry’s decision to revoke YMT’s Conservation Institute (LK) permit. This revocation was implemented solely to prevent the animals from becoming victims of institutional conflicts or administrative disputes.

"We revoked the permit to protect the wildlife, considering the internal management conflicts and the order to vacate YMT activities. This is due to the lack of legal standing regarding the utilization of land owned by the Bandung City Administration," remarked Satyawan Pudyatmoko, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) at the Forestry Ministry, in a written statement on Friday, February 6, 2026.

He added that the Forestry Ministry will take full responsibility for the care and rescue of all animals at the Bandung Zoo. This responsibility will be maintained during a maximum three-month transition period until a new professional management team is appointed.

"Bandung Zoo is a point of pride for the people of West Java, especially Bandung City. The wildlife within is a trust that we must protect and save," he said.

Meanwhile, the Bandung City Administration has issued a Third Warning Letter (SP-3) through the Municipal Police (Satpol PP) and secured the regional assets, requiring the termination of all YMT activities. The Mayor of Bandung, Muhammad Farhan, remarked that these steps were taken to bring order to regional assets.

He noted that the Bandung Zoo land had been utilized by YMT without legal title for approximately 18 years. According to him, the policy is driven by no motive other than organizational restructuring and legal certainty over regional assets.

"This is part of our effort to realize orderly, transparent, and accountable governance. The Bandung City Administration also ensures that the welfare of former YMT employees remains a priority," said Farhan.

Workers may continue their involvement in accordance with applicable regulations. Meanwhile, basic needs during the transition period, such as electricity, sanitation, and operational requirements, will continue to be met.

The Bandung City Administration emphasized that the Bandung Zoo will be maintained as a green open space with a wildlife conservation function. Future management will be conducted more professionally, involving the West Java Provincial Administration and the Forestry Ministry.

Furthermore, the administration will prioritize functions related to education, conservation, culture, and the environment. To this end, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Mayor of Bandung and the Director General of KSDAE.

This MoU will remain in effect for three months to provide a legal framework for inter-agency cooperation. During this time, it will govern asset management and the welfare of both the wildlife and former employees until a new operator is appointed. (Annaila Azzahra/Bambang MBKA)