For the last two years, Scorpion Foundation (also known as Scorpion Wildlife Trade Monitoring Group) and Wildlife Authority (BBKSDA) in North Sumatra have repeatedly confiscated protected animals that are kept illegally. However, very few violators are punished for the crimes they have committed. The violators often say they are unaware of the rules and restrictions on the capture and holding of protected animals.
In an effort to prevent the capture and holding of protected animals, Scorpion and BBKSDA have put up signboards warning of the sentence and monetary fines associated with the capture and holding of protected wildlife. These signs were installed in conservation areas in the districts of Deli Serdang, Karo, and Dairi in North Sumatra on Tuesday (12th of December 2017). Up to 15 signboards were put up at the edges of conservation areas including in Sibolangit Nature Recreation Park, Siranggas, Sicike-cike, and Lau Debuk-debuk. Ten signboards were made by the BBKSDA while a further five were made by Scorpion Foundation.
The signboards which are made by Scorpion contain a warning that anyone who captures, keeps, kills, trades, or transports protected animals will be sentenced to five years in prison with a fine of IDR100,000,000 (US$7,400.00).
