101 Protected Birds Found in Medan, Gakkum Forestry Investigates Alleged Trafficking Network

MEDAN, GARISBUMI.com – The Ministry of Forestry is investigating an alleged wildlife trafficking network after finding 101 protected birds in a house in Medan City, North Sumatra. A total of 11 birds were found dead, while 90 others were handled to be rescued and returned to their habitat.

The Directorate General of Forestry Law Enforcement is investigating the connection between the homeowner with the initials AS and MF, a convict in a case of trafficking in protected animals. AS is known to be MF's uncle.

Apart from family relations, investigators are investigating alleged business relations between the two as well as the possible involvement of other parties in the distribution chain of protected animals.

A total of 101 birds found consisted of:

• 37 Sumatran blue-winged cica (Chloropsis moluccensis)

• 42 small leaf cica (Chloropsis cyanopogon)

• 22 Sumatran leaf lizards (Chloropsis venusta)

Director General of Forestry Law Enforcement, Dwi Januanto Nugroho, said that wild animals are not only part of Indonesia's rich ecosystem, but are also related to life, culture and the development of people's knowledge.

According to him, hunting and trade in wild animals not only threatens the balance of the ecosystem, but also eliminates natural heritage which is part of the nation's identity.

"The Ministry of Forestry continues to strengthen law enforcement and collaborate with various parties to ensure that protected animals remain in their habitat and that Indonesia's biological riches can be passed on to future generations," said Dwi in his statement, Wednesday (23/9/2026).

Starting from Citizen Reports

The disclosure of this case began with a public report on Sunday (13/9/2026). Residents suspect that there are many bird sounds coming from a house on Jalan Kawat, Gang Hasanah, Tanjung Mulia Hilir Village, Medan Deli District, Medan City.

The Sumatra Regional Forestry Gakkum Center through the Medan Region I Section then carried out monitoring and in-depth investigation to verify the report.

A day later, Monday (14/9/2026), officers from the Forestry Gakkum Center together with the North Sumatra Police Civil Servant Investigation Supervisor Coordinator and the local environmental head came to the house.

In the second floor warehouse, officers found 101 protected birds placed in a number of cages. AS, as the owner of the house, was not at the location when the action took place.

Investigators are now investigating the origin of the birds, the destination of the shipment, the parties involved, and their alleged connection to the animal trafficking case which previously involved MF.

For this alleged act, investigators applied Article 40A paragraph (1) letter d in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 32 of 2024 concerning Amendments to Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.

Homeowner's Niece Has Been Convicted

MF was previously prosecuted after Gakkum Forestry revealed the trade in seven protected birds in Deli Serdang Regency in January 2026.

Based on the Lubuk Pakam District Court Decision Number 434/Pid.Sus-LH/2026/PN Lbp dated 2 June 2026, MF was found guilty of committing the crime of transporting and trading animals.

The court sentenced MF to 3 years and 6 months in prison and a fine of IDR 1 billion.

Head of the Sumatra Regional Forestry Law Enforcement Agency, Hari Novianto, emphasized that the investigation into the latest case did not stop with the discovery of birds at the location.

"We will not stop at finding these 101 birds. Investigators will trace where the animals came from, where they will be distributed, who the parties involved are, and break the illegal business chain," said Hari.

According to him, all the facts and evidence will be studied to reveal the chain of trade in protected animals as a whole.

Birds Released in Sibolangit

On Thursday (17/9/2026), the birds that survived and were declared fit to be returned to nature were released in the Sibolangit Nature Tourism Park area, Deli Serdang Regency.

The release was carried out by the Sumatra Regional Forestry Gakkum Center together with the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center, the North Sumatra Police PPNS Korwas, and the North Sumatra High Prosecutor's Office.

The Ministry of Forestry stated that it would continue to strengthen prevention, rescue and law enforcement against hunting and trade in protected animals. Community involvement is also considered important to help uncover illegal activities that threaten Indonesia's biodiversity.