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🇮🇩 Indonesia /Environment & Climate

Bandung Zoo Faces Renewed Threat of Animal Feed Crisis

From Tempo · (7m ago) Indonesian Critical tone

Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Bandung Zoo is facing a potential animal feed crisis as the Ministry of Forestry's regular funding for feed is set to end on May 5, 2026.
  • The zoo relies on daily purchases of fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, with only certain items like bananas and elephant grass lasting longer.
  • If a new management operator is not found by May 5, the 711 animals at the zoo may be relocated to other conservation institutions.

Bandung Zoo, a beloved institution, is once again grappling with a severe animal feed crisis, raising concerns about the welfare of its 700-plus inhabitants. This issue is particularly poignant given the zoo's past struggles during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a lack of ticket revenue led to similar feed shortages.

The current predicament stems from the impending expiration of the Ministry of Forestry's financial support for animal feed on May 5, 2026. Without a clear plan for continued funding or a new management operator, the zoo's ability to provide daily sustenance for its animals is in jeopardy. The daily procurement of diverse food items, from fruits and vegetables to fish and meat, highlights the logistical and financial challenges involved in maintaining such a collection.

For the time being, we can only determine how the animals can be fed every day when there is feed. If there is no feed, we don't know what steps to take.

— Rochman SuryamanCoordinator of the Bandung Zoo Transition Management, expressing uncertainty about future feeding plans.

The Bandung City government is actively seeking a new management operator through an auction process. However, the tight deadline and the potential consequences of failing to secure one are dire. The Balai Besar Konservasi Sumber Daya Alam (BBKSDA) Jawa Barat has indicated that if no new management is in place by May 5, the 711 animals, including protected and endemic species, will be relocated. This move, while prioritizing animal welfare, would represent a significant loss for the zoo and the community.

The Ministry of Forestry's regular funding for feed is set to end on May 5, 2026. For the time being, we do not know the developments regarding what will happen after the 5th (of May).

— Rochman SuryamanCoordinator of the Bandung Zoo Transition Management, highlighting the critical funding deadline.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Tempo in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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