RRI.CO.ID, Bandarlampung - The Bengkulu Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA), via its Section III Office in Lampung, released 942 birds into the Wan Abdul Rachman Forest Park in Bandar Lampung, Lampung, on Thursday. The release marks the culmination of several enforcement operations against illegal trade conducted throughout early 2026.

The event was held to commemorate Earth Day and serves as a precursor to the upcoming National Nature Conservation Day (HKAN) 2026. Officials highlighted that the operation underscores Lampung’s strategic role as the primary gateway and final checkpoint for wildlife transit from across Sumatra.

"The birds were released in the Wan Abdul Rachman Forest Park area, Bandar Lampung," said Head of KSDA Section III Lampung, Itno Itoyo, in a statement received on Thursday, April 23, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

"The release of these birds is not only a symbol of Earth Day commemoration but also part of the Road to HKAN 2026 activity series," he added.

The birds involved in the release were intercepted from various illegal trade routes originating from several provinces across Sumatra.

The species included the Mandarin laughingthrush, ashy drongo, golden-vented bulbul, grey-cheeked bulbul, and the mountain white-eye, among others. While these specific species are not currently classified as protected under Indonesian law, experts stress their vital role in seed dispersal and maintaining forest health.

"We also invite the community to work together to maintain wildlife conservation and not get involved in illegal hunting and trading practicesl,” Itoyo urged.

Head of BKSDA Bengkulu, Agung Nugroho, emphasized that the persistent threat of wildlife trafficking requires a unified, multi-sectoral response. He noted that Lampung is a critical bottleneck for smugglers attempting to move birds to markets outside of Sumatra.

"Lampung Province, which is the last gate, has a very strategic role and value in efforts to maximize the suppression of illegal wildlife circulation activities, especially those originating from other provinces on Sumatra Island," Nugroho explained.

The successful return of nearly a thousand birds to the wild was made possible through the collaboration of conservationists and law enforcement agencies. By returning these animals to their natural habitats after rescue and rehabilitation, BKSDA aims to strengthen the resilience of Lampung’s ecosystems against the ongoing pressures of poaching and illegal distribution. ***