Indonesian authorities have rescued hundreds of wild songbirds from an attempted smuggling operation at Ketapang Port in East Java, foiling a cross-island trafficking effort that aimed to move the birds from Bali to Central Java.
A total of 331 birds — including Merbah Trukcuk (Pycnonotus goiavier) and Javanese Cinenen (Orthotomus sepium) — were discovered on 1 June aboard intercity buses at the busy ferry crossing in Banyuwangi, the gateway port between Bali and Java. The birds were being transported without the required documentation and in conditions that authorities said were unsuitable for wildlife.
Most Birds Found Alive
The East Java branch of Indonesia’s Natural Resources Conservation Center (KSDA) led the interception, working with a coalition of wildlife and quarantine agencies. Of the 331 birds seized, 299 were found alive and have since been treated and released into the Ijen Merapi Ungup-Ungup Nature Reserve, a mountainous area known for its cooler climate and forest cover.
“This success was possible because of our close coordination with the Wildlife Rescue Team, the quarantine office in Ketapang, and our regional conservation resorts,” said Nur Patria Kurniawan, head of the East Java KSDA Center, in a statement released Tuesday. “Protecting wildlife is a way of showing love for our country.”
Wildlife Trade Still Thriving
The attempted smuggling highlights the persistent demand for songbirds in Indonesia, where the pastime of bird-keeping — especially for their singing ability — fuels an illicit trade.
Many of the birds trafficked across the archipelago are protected species, often captured in the wild and sold in unregulated markets.
Officials urged the public to avoid buying or keeping wildlife illegally and to report suspicious activity to authorities.
“Nature cannot speak, but we can be its voice,” Kurniawan said.
Released Into Protected Forest
After a brief assessment at the Ketapang Quarantine facility, the surviving birds were returned to the wild. Officials hope the natural conditions of the Ijen reserve will ease their recovery from the stress of transportation.
“Releasing these birds shows that nature still holds hope — as long as we stay committed and take real steps to protect it,” Kurniawan added.
No arrests have been announced in connection with the smuggling attempt. The investigation is ongoing.
