Courier nabbed trying to ship stuffed rare birds in Indonesia

Posted 12 Oct 2016 20:53

Updated 12 Oct 2016 21:00

MAKASSAR: Indonesian authorities on Wednesday (Oct 12) seized dozens of stuffed birds of paradise from a hapless courier who did not realise they were a protected species, an official said.

The courier walked into the government conservation agency in South Sulawesi province seeking permission to ship the 64 birds of paradise and more than 80 bundles of cassowary feathers by air freight, said local agency head Dody Wahyu Karyanto.

The cargo company had demanded the courier produce an official letter allowing him to transport the stuffed birds and feathers to Indonesia's easternmost province of Papua.

"Once we checked, it turned out this wildlife was a protected species. We immediately confiscated (the items) and held the courier for questioning," Karyanto said.

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