Reduction in rhino population in general in Southeast Asia caused by illegal hunting horn as goods targeting prey and habitat loss due to fracturing of forest area due to encroachment, illegal logging, and conversion of forest into rice fields , agriculture , and settlement.
Rhino has been hunted and killed animals to near extinction to meet demand for products from inexhaustible horn in China and now Vietnam, it all happened because of the public trust or the myth that rhino horn has properties drug as a drug that “passion enhancer” or an aphrodisiac.
In Indonesia especially in Sumatra, rhino poaching occurs with the use of firearms organic, locok, and also using a noose made of steel wire or intermittent. In 2001 a young Sumatran rhino dies after first steel cross mounted trapped by hunters in the ridge Way Bambang, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park.
Law enforcement efforts against trafficking offenders and rhino horn poaching and also body parts of other animals are protected by the Act, is one way to reduce the rate of decline in the rhino population and other wildlife in Indonesia.
According to Law No.5 of 1990 on Conservation of Natural Resources and Ecosystems actors poaching and trade of protected animals under penalty of law will get 5 years in prison and a fine of 100 Million Rupiah.
To reduce or even remove it altogether hunting activities in Indonesia, especially in Sumatra, will be established intelligence units and law enforcement or intelligence and Law Enforcement unit (ILEU) in charge :
- Conducting intelligence operations to help arrest the perpetrators poaching and illegal wildlife trade,
- Escorting and ensure crimes against hunting and forestry, especially the case of protected wildlife trade laws can be processed and submitted to the court and the offender shall be liable or penalties in accordance with applicable law.
Since its inception in 2004 until 2011 ILEU and RPU together with the National Park Authority , BKSDA, police and prosecutors as well as other partners, have cracked the 55 cases of poaching, illegal logging 21 cases, and 35 cases of encroachment in the region of BBSNP where about 150 suspects have been subjected to prison terms of between 4 months to 3 years. While working in the area of TN. Way Kambas, 21 cases of poaching, illegal logging 49 cases, and 13 cases of encroachment has been successfully addressed and as many as about 120 suspects managed to receive a prison sentence of between 3 months to 6 months to 1 year.