RRI.CO.ID, Tokyo — Indonesia and Japan are taking another step in wildlife conservation through the Animal Breeding Loan Programme and Collaboration for the Protection and Conservation of Wild Animals, following the signing of a Business-to-Business Memorandum of Understanding between Surabaya Zoo and iZoo Shizuoka, Japan.

The MoU was signed on April 29, 2026, at Surabaya Zoo by Perumda Kebun Binatang Surabaya, represented by Finance and Human Resources Director Moch. Nahroni and Operations and General Affairs Director, Nurika Widyasanti. iZoo Japan was represented by its Director, Tsuyoshi Shirawa.

The signing was witnessed by the Director of Species and Genetic Conservation at Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry, Ahmad Munawir, and Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi.

This business-to-business cooperation follows up on the earlier government-to-government MoU on wildlife protection and conservation, particularly the breeding loan program for the Komodo dragon, or Varanus komodoensis. That agreement was signed by Indonesian Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni and Shizuoka Prefecture Governor Yasutomo Suzuki on March 28, 2026, in Shizuoka, Japan.

Through this cooperation, Indonesia, through Surabaya Zoo, will lend a pair of Komodo dragons to iZoo Japan to support ex-situ breeding and conservation programs. In return, iZoo Japan will provide several animal species to be managed by Surabaya Zoo, including Aldabra Giant Tortoises, Japanese Macaques, giraffes, and red pandas.

Forestry Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo, Ima Yudin Rayaningtyas, said the cooperation reflects a concrete form of green diplomacy between Indonesia and Japan.

“The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo views this cooperation as a concrete form of Indonesia–Japan green diplomacy, as well as a real follow-up to the commitment of both parties to strengthen the protection and conservation of wild animals. As Indonesia’s flagship species, the Komodo dragon has important ecological and symbolic value, and also serves as a means to raise international public awareness of Indonesia’s rich biodiversity,” Ima Yudin Rayaningtyas said in an official statement on Friday, June 5, 2026.

As the program moves toward implementation, several technical stages have shown positive progress. The licensing process for lending the Komodo dragons from Indonesia to Japan is currently underway in accordance with Indonesian regulations and mechanisms.

Meanwhile, the CITES certificate for the shipment of four Aldabra Giant Tortoises from Japan to Surabaya Zoo was issued by Japanese authorities on May 19, 2026. With the certificate in place, the shipment is now entering further technical arrangements, including quarantine, animal health, transportation, and welfare requirements.

The Indonesian Embassy in Tokyo continues to coordinate closely with relevant parties in both Indonesia and Japan. The Embassy hopes the cooperation can be carried out carefully, transparently, and in line with applicable regulations, while bringing real benefits to biodiversity conservation and further strengthening Indonesia–Japan friendship.