In a one-day monitoring of wildlife trade in Medan on Sunday, 29th November 2015, Scorpion Foundation found approximately 2,700 wild birds on sale in illegal markets. At Jalan Imam Bonjol Medan, in front of the Buddhist temple, approximately 1,000 birds were on sale.
At Jalan Boulevard Utara in Cemara Asri Housing complex in Medan, about 500 birds were on sale while at Jalan Irian, near another Buddhist temple, about 1,200 birds were on sale.
These illegal markets have previously been reported by Yaysan Scorpion to Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) but no action taken yet to stop sales of birds on illegal locations.
Chinese community in Medan has a tradition of buying birds and immediately release them. They usually do the bird release after praying in temple. Because of the demand for bird release in front of temples, traders are constantly supplying these needs by providing birds for sale in front of Buddhist temples in Medan. Releasing birds is a good activity but because of the demand for releasing people keep catching birds from the wild without control of BKSDA.
The BKSDA in North Sumatra as a government agency in charge of wildlife management would need to implement a quota system to control the harvesting of wildlife in the forest.
The illegal markets in Medan should be closed down by BKSDA North Sumatra.
--oOo--
Bird sale on illegal location at Cemara Asri housing complex, Medan. Approximately 500 small birds were on sale here Sunday, 29th of November 2015.
Another picture of bird sale at Cemara Asri housing complex, Medan.
Here at Jalan Imam Bonjol approximately 1,000 small birds were on sale Sunday.
Another of bird sale at Jalan Imam Bonjol Medan.
At Jalan Irian Medan, there were two locations of bird sale around the building of Buddhist temple. This picture (location 1) approximately 200 birds were on sale Sunday.
Another picture from location 1.
Close up picture from location 1.
At location 2 of Jalan Irian approximately 1,000 birds were on sale. Behind the big cage (not seen on picture) there were also another cage containing birds.
In Pasar Bintang, a Nias parrot (protected) was on display in front of a shop.
This is the shop where Nias parrot was on display, Sunday.
Bird sale at Jalan Merak Jingga wildlife market, Sunday.
