Wildlife Crimes Unit

Rapid survey by WCU showed that Pangandaran beach still became favourite trader to sell sea turtle taxidermist.The survey has been done on Friday 16, April 2010. WCU surveyed more more than 45 souvenir shops and found 28 sea turtles taxidermist in 11 shops, include 14 Hawksbill sea turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), 8 Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), 6 Green sea turtle (Chelonia midas). Investigators predicted that the taxidermist number will increase when the survey will be held on weekend season (Saturday or Sunday). Based on WCU survey, total number of souvenir shops in Pangandaran reached more than 100 and half of them closed on Friday.

Sea turtles taxidermist trade have long story in Pangandaran beach. In 1997, volunteer from Biology Faculty, Gadjah Mada University reported more than 60 sea turtles taxidemist sold openly in Pangandaran. Profauna survey in 2005 found 143 sea turtles taxidermist sold openly. The numbers then decreased after confiscation by Ministry of Forestry and tsunami disaster in 2006.

The price of the turtles is various depend on species and colour of carapace. Penyu rajawali (Hawksbill sea turtle) with bright colour more expensive than Penyu matahari (Hawksbill sea turle) with different colour. Green turtle and Olive ridley cheaper than Hawksbill turtle. The price is averaged IDR 400,000 – 1,000,000 (size 35cm – 1 metres). The traders claimed that the turtles trapped by fisherman snares and caused serious damage on net. However, fisherman than sold the turtle to service the net. The reason sound strange because all traders mention the same reason. It is like a conspiracy to justify why they sold the turtles. At least 1 sea turtles trapped in fisherman net within a week. Fisherman will eat the meat and sod carapace to souvenir shop. The trader then dried the carapace and use resin to clearing and give bright effect.

A souvenir shop trader said that almost traders know if sea turtles are protected wildlife and prohibited to captured and sold in market. But, they can get permission from forestry officer to sold the turtles, like permit letter to sold the turtles legally. It is interesting to know the truth because it is illegal when forestry officer issued permit to sold sea turtles taxidermist, or the trader said lie.

Investigators also found bracelets made from hawksbill turtles carapace in 1 souvenir shop. The prices is averaged IDR 20,000 – 40,000 per piece. The craftmen made carapace bracelet in back side of souvenir shop. (dna)[mappress]