Man Faces Potential Imprisonment For Selling Wild Animals In Bali

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A man named Agus Ali faces potential imprisonment for selling long-tailed monkeys at a traditional market in Denpasar.

During an inspection conducted by authorities from the Denpasar Agriculture Department, the Civil Service Office, and the Natural Resources Conservations Center (BKSDA) on Tuesday afternoon (11/1), officials spotted a local vendor selling wild animals at the Satria traditional market.

The authority found seven long-tailed monkeys from Agus’ stall being sold for USD $28 (IDR 400,000) each. 

“I already sold one long-tailed monkey; I used to have eight. I bought them from the Beringkit animal market,” said Agus.

The Head of Animal Health from the Denpasar Agriculture Department, I Made Ngurah Sugiri, stated that Denpasar City Mayor, IGN Jaya Negara, initiated the inspection. This is in anticipation of the wild animal trade that may spread viruses to humans and other animals.

“Offenders will face a 6-month imprisonment or a USD $3,500 (IDR 50 million) fine for violating this policy,” Sugiri said. However, Agus wasn’t imprisoned or fined because he had already been detained for breaking the same policy before. “We only asked him to sign a statement letter saying he will leave this illegal business,” Sugiri added.

There will be regular inspections in traditional markets and online stores to prevent the wild animal trade in Denpasar.