Maluku BKSDA Seizes Illegal Deer Horns and Endemic Birds

RRI.CO.ID, Ambon - Wildlife officers from the Maluku Natural Resources Conservation Center (BKSDA) recently secured three Timor deer horns and several endemic birds. The items and animals were suspected of being trafficked illegally and were intercepted during coordinated air and sea inspections over the past week.

“The operation was carried out through surveillance of air and sea routes during the last week,” Forestry Police Officer of BKSDA Maluku, Arga Christyan, said in Ambon on Friday, 12 June 2026.

The first discovery occurred on 8 June at Pattimura Airport. During the inspection, Officer In Journey Airports and Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel found three Timor deer horns (Cervus timorensis) inside the luggage of a Lion Air JT 879 passenger bound for Surabaya.

The following day, 9 June, the items were handed over to BKSDA Maluku’s Forestry Police for further processing under applicable regulations. Authorities also recovered a triton trumpet shell (Charonia tritonis) alongside the horns.

Maritime checks continued the enforcement sweep. On 11 June, officers at Yos Sudarso Port intercepted one Eclectus parrot (Eclectus roratus) and two black-capped lories (Lorius lory) during an inspection aboard KM Tatu Mailau.

The seized animals were transferred to the Maluku Islands Wildlife Conservation Center at Kebun Cengkeh, Ambon. There, they underwent health checks, care, and quarantine ahead of their planned release back into their natural habitats.

BKSDA Maluku described the operation as evidence of the importance of synergy among airport staff, port officers, security forces, and conservation agencies. This collaboration is crucial in stopping the illegal wildlife trade that threatens Indonesia’s biodiversity.

“Consistent monitoring at entry and exit points is a strategic step to curb smuggling of protected animals and animal parts that are prohibited from trade,” said Arga, as quoted by Antara.

The center urged the public not to buy, keep or transport wild animals or their parts without permits, reminding that such acts violate laws and endanger species in the wild. ***