Indonesia cracks down on illegal pangolin and bird parts trade

In Pontianak, West Kalimantan, police seized 551,365 kg of pangolin (Manis javanica) scales and 42,015 kg of pangolin claws, arresting two suspects linked to a network sourcing the parts from Sintang and Kapuas Hulu. The seizure included 30 sacks and a weighing scale, and the suspects were charged under Law No. 32/2024 on wildlife conservation.

In Padang, West Sumatra, forest police seized 10 kg of pangolin scales and 16 beaks of the rangkong bird, arresting a suspect identified as RP (23). The operation followed community tips and cyber‑patrol analysis and also invoked the 2024 law.

Both actions underscore the persistent illegal trade in protected species such as the critically endangered Sunda pangolin and the rangkong, whose parts are falsely marketed for medicinal value, and demonstrate authorities’ efforts to dismantle trafficking networks.