In the face of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Indonesian government began to implement new normal. Business and office activities have resumed with certain health procedures. During this pandemic is happening, we have monitored that wildlife sales are declining, there are some wildlife shops not operated and possibly closed. Namun, after a few days the "new normal" appeal was applied, several wildlife traders began to operate again, selling the wild animals cruelly.
On a visit on June 24, 2020, Field Investigator team of Scorpion Foundation saw that several wildlife traders were selling the wildlife again. Located around Pulo Brayan in Medan, North Sumatra. In general, wildlife traders in this area sell wild monkeys, songbirds, reptiles and sometimes you can find protected animals by law of Indonesia are on sale. Some wildlife traders also allow buyers to make a Pre-order for exotic animals, such as nias hill myna (Gracula robusta). The Nias hill myna is one of endemic species in North Sumatra, marked in IUCN Red List Threatened Species as Critically Endangered (CR).
Executive Director of Scorpion Foundation, Ali Bangun Gea, is concerned about rampant wildlife trade continue again in North Sumatra. He said, usually the wild animals on sale are confined in a dirty cage, living without water drinking 24/7, and can be a source of various zoonotic diseases. To stop the wildlife trade is not easy, and need more dedication work, together with local wildlife authority to increase protection of wildlife for future generations.
