Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center (BBKSDA Riau) rescued a snared Tapir (Tapirus indicus) in Minas, Siak Regency, Riau, Indonesia on Thursday, October 28, 2021.

The rescue operation started from a report received by the BBKSDA Riau Sector II on Thursday, October 28, 2021, at 13.00 Western Indonesia Time. A team then was immediately dispatched to the scene to free the trapped Tapir. 

A snared Tapir is being rescued by a team from Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center. (Photo: BBKSDA Riau)

The course of the trapped Tapir rescue operation is explained at BBKSDA Riau official website.

The team conducted a search to find the whereabouts of the Tapir through traces. A Tapir was found in a weak condition and lying on the community's oil palm plantation. Based on information from nearby residents, the tapir was first seen by workers lying under oil palm trees.

The team immediately took action and perform initial assessment to identify the animal's condition. Based on the observation, the team found that the snared Tapir is an adult female. 

The team also discovered that there are two injuries from the snares. On the left front leg is an old wound, the sole of the foot has been severed due to an old snare and the wound is almost healed. 

Meanwhile, the Tapir's left hind leg is one that just got caught in the snare. Based on external observations, the snare noose had broken but the flesh on the leg is gone and leaving only bones. 

The wounded Tapir is carried by the rescue team to be treated. (Photo: BBKSDA Riau)

Considering that the snared wounds were severe, the team immediately sent the Tapir to a cage and brought them to Pekanbaru for further treatment and care.

 Riau Natural Resources Conservation Center also strongly urges the public to stop snare usage and crime against animals. On October 17, 2021, a Sumatran tiger (Panthera Tigris sumatrae) was found dead in a snare trap in Tanjung Leban village, Bengkalis Regency, Riau, Indonesia. 

According to the Law of The Republic of Indonesia No. 5/1990 Concerning
Conservation of  the Living Natural Resources and Its Ecosystem, those who deliberately violate protected animals can be subjected to a maximum imprisonment of 5 years and a maximum fine of one hundred million rupiah.

In Other News From Wilderness of Riau

In other news, BBKSDA Riau foiled illegal trade 39 birds on Thursday, October 28, 2021 . The protected birds include the Javan Leaf Bird (Chloropsis cochinchinensis) and the Greater Leaf Bird (Chloropsis sonnerati). Several other species are still being identified. 

In other news, BBKSDA Riau released a 6 meters (19.7 feet) female Python Snake (Malayopython reticulatus), into the wild on October 27, 2021. The giant snake, which entered a chicken coop, was captured on 25 October 2021 by villagers of Sungai Kelelawar, Kuantan Singingi Regency, Riau.

In other news, BBKSDA Riau performed a field treatment on a sick wild female elephant, October 23, 2021. The animal is estimated to be 30 years old, 217 cm tall and weighing approximately 2 tons. Physical examination revealed that the elephant had inflammation, swelling, and open wounds on the external reproductive organs, where there were already larvae/worms in that section. The elephant is thin body and doesn't have appetite.