BERAU, May 30, 2025 – The Yayasan Penyu Indonesia/YPI, in collaboration with the Biduk-Biduk Police (Polsek Biduk-Biduk), the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) Teluk Sulaiman unit, and Teluk Sumbang’s Babinsa (village military officer), successfully apprehended a sea turtle egg poacher on Bilang-Bilangan Island, Batu Putih District, Berau Regency, in the early hours of Friday (May 30), at around 3:00 AM WITA.
The suspect, identified as GN, is a repeat offender previously involved in similar wildlife crimes. The incident took place in a sea turtle nesting area located within the Coastal and Small Islands Conservation Area of the Derawan Archipelago and its surrounding waters.
Ahmad Khairul Imam, Acting Program Manager of YPI, explained that the arrest followed suspicious movement detected by a YPI field ranger on patrol in Sector 15. The ranger observed unusual activity heading toward Sector 8 and reported it to the second-shift patrol team, who immediately relayed the information to the YPI basecamp at 2:40 AM.
A response team from the basecamp quickly mobilized and headed to Sector 8. Upon arrival at approximately 3:00 AM, they spotted a flashlight in the area and pursued the suspects.
Three individuals were identified at the scene. Two managed to flee using a red and white speedboat powered by a 40 HP engine, marked with the number “23” on its hull. These two suspects are now listed as fugitives and have been added to the police’s wanted list.
One suspect, GN, was successfully apprehended along with several pieces of evidence, including: a net bag containing 13 sea turtle eggs, a machete, a coconut shell, a probing stick, and a headlamp.
The suspect resisted arrest, threatening officers both verbally and with the machete.
Based on an assessment by the YPI ranger team, it is estimated that around 32 sea turtle nests—equivalent to approximately 3,200 eggs—had been looted.
GN and the evidence were taken to the Biduk-Biduk Police Station and later handed over to the Marine and Air Police Unit (Sat Polairud) of the Berau Police Department for further legal processing. He is being charged under Article 40 paragraph (2) in conjunction with Article 21 paragraph (2) letter e of Law No. 5 of 1990 concerning the Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems.
Ignatius Putu Chandra, Managing Director of Yayasan Penyu Indonesia, who was present at the location during the incident, immediately coordinated with law enforcement authorities—including the Biduk-Biduk Police, Marine and Air Police Unit, and Babinsa—to develop a response and security strategy.
This arrest represents a firm stance by authorities in safeguarding natural resources—particularly sea turtles, which are a protected species. It is hoped that this decisive action will serve as a strong deterrent and a clear warning to anyone attempting to disrupt the marine ecosystem.
Contact:
Ahmad Khairul Imam
Plt. Program Manager, YPI Berau Office
+62 811-2306-522
