Surabaya Zoo Mismanagement Sparks Animal Welfare Concerns
- 25 Jul 2026 16:37 WIB
- Voice of Indonesia
Poin Utama
- Indonesia’s House of Representatives Commission VII called for a comprehensive evaluation of Surabaya Zoo’s management following concerns over animal welfare and governance.
- Lawmakers stressed that conservation-based tourism must prioritize animal health and welfare alongside visitor numbers and revenue generation.
RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian House of Representatives Commission VII has raised concerns over alleged poor governance at Surabaya Zoo (KBS). The situation is seen as a prompt for a comprehensive evaluation of wildlife-based tourism management.
The House Commission VII Deputy Speaker, Chusnunia Chalim, expressed distress over multiple reports about the condition of animals at KBS. She said destination management must prioritize animal welfare in addition to visitor numbers and revenue.
“This is still shocking; we are deeply concerned. We are at a loss for words because the situation is that bad,” she said after Commission VII’s recess working visit to Surabaya, East Java, on Friday, 24 July 2026.
Chusnunia said the administration and zoo management need to conduct a thorough evaluation of sites that utilize animals. Such steps are crucial to prevent similar problems from recurring.
She emphasized that animal welfare and health must be priorities in the management of conservation areas and educational attractions. Good governance is also a key requirement to ensure the sustainability of these destinations.
According to her, temporary closure could be an option if management conditions are judged unfit. That period should be used to fix systems before reopening operations.
“If the situation is dire, personally I’d say close it first rather than see the animals suffer. Only reopen once there’s a governance model that prevents corruption and the like,” she said.
While repairs are underway, Chusnunia urged local administration to develop alternative tourist offerings. These could include educational attractions, open public spaces, or family recreational facilities.
Commission VII is also considering a direct inspection of Surabaya Zoo. The visit would aim to assess animal conditions and monitor management’s corrective efforts.
Earlier, former Surabaya Zoo Chief Executive, Choirul Anwar, was named a suspect in alleged embezzlement of animal feed funds. The alleged corruption occurred between 2016 and 2024, with a preliminary loss estimate of IDR 10.2 billion (USD 569,100).
East Java High Prosecutorate’s Assistant for Special Crimes, I Gede Punia, said much of the funds were allegedly used for personal purposes. “Of the roughly IDR 10 billion (about USD 558,000), around IDR 7.4 billion (about USD 412,900) was used for personal interests, based on the evidence we have,” he said.
The East Java High Prosecutorate is still investigating possible involvement of other parties. Investigators continue to question witnesses and collect evidence to develop the case. (Annaila Azzahra-EN)
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