Jatinegara, Jakarta: The price of baby long-tailed
macaques at the Jatinegara wildlife market, Jakarta, has jumped drastically,
reaching 300% compared to the price three years ago. Based on monitoring by the
Scorpion Indonesian Foundation at the same market 3 years ago, the price of
baby long-tailed macaques was IDR 400,000 per head, whereas when we visited the
market today, the price of these animals had jumped to IDR 1,200,000 per head.
When asked why the price had risen so drastically, the
traders only said that they had to increase the price of the long-tailed due to
the increase in their purchase price. Therefore, they are forced to increase
prices in that market.
The long-tailed macaques on sale in the Jatinegara wildlife market
come from several places on the islands of Java and Bali. Balinese long-tailed macaques
have many are more expensive then the other long-tailed macaques coming from
Java because of their slightly yellowish color. Baby long-tailed macaques from
Bali are priced at IDR 1,500,000
Buyers prefer baby long-tailed macaques compared to juvenile
or adult ones. Juvenile long-tailed macaques are sold for 600 thousand per head
or half the price of baby macaques.
Baby long-tailed macaques traded at the Jatinegara market
come from forests or from breeders. Babies that come from the nature are
generally obtained by first killing their mothers.
Meanwhile, the price of a pig-tailed macaque is higher up to
200% compare to long-tailed macaque. i.e., IDR 2,400,000 per head.
