 Petungsewu animal rescue center collapsed
Malang, Kompas – Petungsewu Animal Rescue Center in Petungsewu village of Dau sub-district in Malang district, East Java, is now facing a financial crisis and will close within a few months. Consequently, animals sheltered in the rescue center are being moved to other conservation centers, such as safari parks and recreational parks.
The financial crisis occurred because in this year the Petungsewu Animal Rescue Center will no longer receive funds from the Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) of East Java, which represents the central government in this matter.
“They say this year there will be reduction in the budget of all ministries, including the Ministry of Forestry. That’s way there will be no budget for Animal Rescue Centers,” said Project Manger of Petungsewu Animal Rescue Center, Iwan Kurniawan, on Saturday (14/6).
Due to the crisis, a number of animals have been released back to the wild, including peacocks, gibbons, and cockatoos. Handicapped animals unable for release are relocated to a number of conservation centers referred by the BKSDA; 33 animals were transferred to Taman Safari Indonesia (TSI) II in Prigen (Pasuruan), 13 animals to Malang Recreation Park, 13 animals to Maharani Zoo Lamongan, and 10 animals to Sengkaling Recreation Park in Malang.
Chairman of Profauna Indonesia, Rosek Nursahid, who also helped Petungsewu Animal Rescue Center in finding funds, said that with the closing of the center, the government should overtake animal rescue functions which were previously done by the rescue center. (DIA)
_kompas
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