Police in Indonesia rescued dozens of wildlife protected by the country on a conservation forest in an Indonesian village.

In addition, two people who are collectors of wildlife were also arrested by the police.

This was revealed by the director of Polairud West Papua Police, Commissioner of police, Budi Utomo.

According to Budi, the arrest of two perpetrators of wildlife collectors protected by the state was carried out by his party in a law enforcement operation in one of the Conservation forests in Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua province on January 16, 2023.

The two men were identified as J, 40 years old and R, 42 years old.

Budi Utomo said there were a total of 98 protected wildlife that were successfully secured from the hands of collectors.

"So Polairud and Gakkum have managed to secure two people whose task is to maintain or guard 92 rare birds of various types, as well as 6 lizards, on the orders of someone who until now we are still involved," said Police Commissioner Budi Utomo in a press statement in Sorong City, Southwest Papua.

Budi further explained, the evidence that was secured included 92 rare birds of various types including 27 Red-Crested old Kaka, 28 Yellow-crested old Kaka, 9 King old Kaka, 14 green spinach, 14 red spinach, and 6 Monitor Lizards.

Budi revealed that the motives of the two perpetrators of accommodating dozens of protected wildlife are strongly suspected to be traded outside the province of Southwest Papua to abroad.

"The two suspects are suspected of trafficking these animals outside Papua to abroad. Because if it is maintained is not possible because there will be a lot of expenses related to the care to the daily feeding of these animals," he said.

After being successfully secured, all the evidence was immediately handed over to the Natural Resources Conservation Agency, West Papua province to be released into the wild. While the two perpetrators are currently undergoing legal proceedings by the local police investigators.

The perpetrators after intensive examination by investigators, both have been named as suspects. Both are subject to Article of Law No. 5 of 1990 on the conservation of biological natural resources and ecosystems.

"After the examination, the development of the two suspects was also subjected to Law No. 5 of 1990 on the conservation of biological resources and ecosystems. Especially Article 21 junto 40 if proven to be threatened with a maximum of 5 years and a fine of 1 million rupiah, " he explained.

The success of his staff along with other technical agencies revealed the case of wildlife shelters that will be traded according to Budi is a form of synergy between institutions in carrying out law enforcement duties and evidence of the seriousness of the government in protecting animals, especially endemic birds in West Papua.

"We hope that this will not happen again. Those who abuse the storage and trade of endemic animals will be immediately dealt with in accordance with applicable law, " he said.