Soekarno-Hatta Airport Foils Attempt to Smuggle 101 Birds by Sri Lankan National

A suitcase flagged by airport officers at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport contained 101 birds packed into 15 small cardboard boxes, Indonesian authorities said. The suspected smuggling attempt involved a Sri Lankan national identified by the initials NRRW, who was detained while preparing to take the birds abroad on an international flight.

The discovery began when officers became suspicious of the suitcase. Aviation security personnel, customs officers and the Banten Quarantine Office then carried out a detailed inspection and found dozens of birds concealed inside. Officials said the animals had been packed in extremely unsuitable conditions in cramped boxes.

Initial identification found several bird species protected under Indonesian law, including the crimson sunbird, or Aethopyga siparaja, and loriini. Other birds included sunda minivets, hawfinches, parakeets, eurylaimidae and zosterops.

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The crimson sunbird and loriini are protected species under Indonesian legislation on the conservation of natural resources.

“The crimson sunbird and loriini are protected species under Indonesian legislation on the conservation of natural resources,” Banten Quarantine Office chief Duma Sari said. The office is coordinating with the Banten Natural Resources Conservation Agency and other institutions to pursue the legal process and decide how to handle the rescued birds.

The birds are undergoing health examinations, identification and document verification. Duma said cooperation among quarantine, customs, aviation security, natural-resources officials and other agencies remains essential at airports, which she described as strategic gateways for the transportation of animals.

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Airports are strategic gateways for the transportation of animals. Synergy between quarantine, customs, aviation security, natural-resources officials and relevant agencies is very important to ensure faster detection of legal violations.