Stopping a Group of Hunters in the Forest

The PROFAUNA Indonesia team, while monitoring forests in the Kasembon area, Malang Regency, apprehended a group of hunters intending to hunt in the forest area (9 May 2024). The group consisted of 6 hunters accompanied by more than 20 trained hunting dogs.

Through a positive approach, the hunters were ultimately persuaded to leave the forest and refrain from hunting. Hunting or capturing any wild animal species in the forest area is prohibited by law.

The legal framework:

Law No. 41 of 1999 concerning Forestry: Article 50 paragraph 3 states that it is illegal to remove, bring, or transport plants and non-protected wild animals from forest areas without permission from authorized officials. Offenders face a potential penalty of 1 year imprisonment and a fine of IDR 50 million.

Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and their Ecosystems: Article 21 paragraph (2a) prohibits capturing, injuring, killing, keeping, owning, transporting, and trading in protected animals, except in life-threatening circumstances. Hunting protected animals carries a potential penalty of 5 years imprisonment and a fine of IDR 100 million.

Hunting wildlife in the forest using firearms or hunting dogs (locally called "Gladak") is illegal. Air rifles are also prohibited for hunting purposes.

According to the regulation of the National Police Chief No. 8 of 2012 concerning Supervision and Control of Firearms for Sporting Interests: This regulation specifies that air rifles are solely for target shooting and cannot be used for hunting, wounding, or killing animals.