No Ransom Money for Animals held Hostage in Indonesia

As bulldozers flatten forests in Sumatra, Indonesia, to make way for palm oil plantations, more endangered animals are pushed out of their forest homes and into confict with villages.Villagers have begun capturing threatened animals, and holding them hostage for ranson compensation from the government.

A new forest planning law proposes protecting 45% of existing forest, while scientists agree 65% is needed for the endangered animals to survive human conflict- and extinction. Sumatra is the only place on earth where all 4 threatened animal co-exists; tigers, elephants, orangutans and rhinos- making it a very unique ecosystem that reqires MORE protections- not less.

We ask the Indonesian government NOT to pay ransom fees- it will encourage villagers to unnessarily, and inhumanely, capture animals and hold them hostage when they could be left alone in what little forest remains their home. The solution is to provide the animals with more forests- not provide villages with ransom money.

In a civilzed society, hostage taking for ransom this is technically kidnapping. Charge these farmers with a crime, rather than providing them money for doing it.

SOURCE:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2351609/The-terrible-fate-Raja-baby-elephant-chained-held-hostage-angry-mob-An-image-haunt-story-enrage-you.html#ixzz2XtDBIboo

Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan
Gedung Manggala Wanabakti Blok I Lt. 3 
Jln. Gatot Subroto - Senayan         
Jakarta - Indonesia - 10270         
+62-21-5704501-04; +62-21-5730191
pusdata@dephut.go.id