40 Organizations in 22 Provinces Celebrated Indonesian Primate Day 2018

Every year on 30 January environmental activists throughout Indonesia rally to promote primate protection. Some took to the streets calling the public to stop buying primates.

This year, the celebration of the Indonesian Primate Day was a blast. More than 40 organizations and communities from 22 provinces took part in the movement.

"Communities joining the celebration varied from environmental organization, students, government bodies, universities, artists, and youth groups," said Erik Yanuar, PROFAUNA Indonesia's campaign officer.

The celebration events were held in Central Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, East Java, Central Java, West Java, Banten, Jakarta, Bali, Aceh, North Sumatera, South Sumatera, Bengkulu, Jambi, Lampung, South Sulawesi, North Sulawesi, Central Sulawesi, and North Maluku.

The events had one big theme: STOP BUYING PRIMATES. This is due to the fact that illegal trade is currently the main threat for Indonesian primates, along with habitat destruction. More than 95% traded primates were captured from their natural habitat. The capturing, transporting, and trading process are full of cruelty. Lots of primates die during the process.

This moment was used by activists to encourage the public to take part in primate conservation effort. Among the ways everyone can help the easiest one, is by not buying traded primates.

Keeping primates as pets also has its own perils, including the risk of zoonotic diseases like tuberculosis, hepatitis, and herpes. Letting primates live in their natural habitats is the best thing we could do, for their survival and our own sake.

Environmental activists did not miss the opportunity to urge the government to pay serious attention to primate conservation issue. Many primates are protected by law, such as the Slow Loris, Javan Langur, and Siamang. Law no.5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resource and Its Ecosystem states that trade of protected primate species is forbidden by law, and anyone violates this law is liable to 5 years of prison and IDR 5 million fines.

PROFAUNA would like to thank all organizations, communities, and activists who have participated in the celebration of the Indonesian Primate Day 2018!