Poachers arrested for killing rhinos for Chinese black market

The leader of the group, active between 2019 and 2023, was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The poachers are believed to have killed 26 animals, a very high number according to local animal rights activists. Some believe that rhino horn has aphrodisiac properties.

Jakarta () – A group of poachers has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for killing several Javan rhinoceroses, an animal that lives in the Ujung Kulon area in Banten province and whose single horn is used in cosmetics and to make aphrodisiac products. A rhino horn can be sold on the black market for between 200 and 500 million Indonesian rupiah.

Local authorities said the 13-member group was led by a man known as Sunendi. Active between 2019 and 2023, they are guilty of killing at least 26 animals, the highest number ever recorded for poaching activities according to the Auriga Nusantara Foundation.

At Sunendi’s residence, police seized a map and rhino bones. The horns were destined for the Chinese market and were bought and sold through a middleman, according to police.

There are 79 rhinos left in Java. In 2023, the Auriga Nusantara Foundation had raised the alarm, saying that 15 animals were missing. According to members of the Foundation, the poachers arrested by the police probably came from Sumatra, another island known for its rhinos, which are however distinguished by having two horns. Currently, the Sumatran rhino exists only in captivity in Way Kambas National Park in Lampung province. Anyone can easily reach Ujung Kulon from the sea due to the absence of maritime patrol activities, explained the animal rights activists.