Sumatran Gibbon Trade Foiled Using Online Motorcycle Taxis

Forestry Police from Region 3 Stabat, Gunung Leuser National Park (BBTNGL), in collaboration with the North Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA Sumut), have foiled the trade of Sumatran gibbons (Owa Sumatera) on July 21st. The group was exploiting online motorcycle taxi services with a cash-on-delivery (COD) system. Authorities apprehended a male motorcycle taxi driver, identified by the initial B, at Warkop Agam 2 in Binjai City while he was delivering one young Sumatran gibbon (Symphalangus syndactylus). The perpetrator claimed the animal belonged to Raihan, who had ordered the delivery service through the Gojek application. Authorities then pursued and apprehended Raihan, who had fled behind Supermall Binjai. "That's not my stuff, brother. The Sumatran gibbon belongs to Thomas, he's in Cambodia now. I was just told to deliver it, brother, to the buyer," Raihan stated. He was referring to Thomas Raider Chaniago, a repeat offender in wildlife trafficking cases. Thomas was responsible for finding buyers and setting prices, while Raihan handled the deliveries. Raihan's WhatsApp messages clearly showed conversations with Thomas regarding the procurement of goods, delivery plans, and orders for protected wildlife. Additionally, hundreds of photos of wildlife intended for trade were found on his device. Both Raihan and Thomas had previously been apprehended by authorities in 2022 when attempting to sell a Sumatran orangutan infant. However, they evaded legal prosecution at the time, as authorities deemed their involvement insufficient. The Sumatran gibbon that was rescued has been handed over to the Sumatran Rescue Alliance (SRA) rehabilitation center in Langkat Regency. Meanwhile, Raihan has been handed over to the Markas Komando Satuan Polisi Reaksi Cepat (SPORC) Brigade Macan Tutul, Law Enforcement and Forest Conservation Center Region 1 Medan (Balai Gakkumhut Wilayah 1 Medan) in Marindal for further legal proceedings. This incident highlights the emerging trend of using online platforms and delivery services for illegal wildlife trafficking, posing new challenges for conservation efforts.