Bandung Zoo Permit Revoked as Animal Welfare Concerns Mount
– The Indonesian Forestry Ministry has taken direct control of Bandung Zoo, revoking the operating permit of its previous management, the Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT), effective today. The move comes amid a prolonged internal dispute and growing evidence of animal neglect, placing the welfare of over 700 animals at risk.
Satyawan Pudiyatmoko, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The state cannot allow animals to suffer because of a legal dispute,” he stated. “Bandung Zoo is a source of pride for West Java, and the animals here are a responsibility we must protect together.”
The zoo, a landmark in West Java, has been closed to the public since August 6, 2025, as competing factions battled for control. This closure, coupled with ongoing operational costs, created a severe financial strain, directly impacting animal care. Reports indicate that at least seven animals have died since March due to the deteriorating conditions, including a pelican and a binturong.
A recent assessment by veterinarians from the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) revealed alarming signs of malnutrition, particularly among primates and mammals. Elephants were observed exhibiting repetitive behaviors, while orangutans and macaques showed signs of stress-related hair loss. Some primates, including orangutans and black macaques, showed signs of baldness, potentially caused by skin disease, malnutrition or stress.
The Ministry will assume full responsibility for the care of the zoo’s diverse animal population – including Bengal tigers, lions, leopards, orangutans, and giraffes – for up to three months while a qualified management team is appointed. Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan has pledged the city government’s support, ensuring continued salaries for zoo employees and essential services like electricity and groundskeeping.
“The Bandung Administration will ensure that all staff continue to receive their salaries in accordance with prevailing regulations,” Farhan said. The city will also cover essential operational needs, including electricity, cleaning, and maintenance.
The zoo will remain closed to visitors until the Ministry confirms that all animals are in a healthy and stable condition. Farhan announced the formation of a committee to select a new management team, comprised of city officials, representatives from the West Java Forestry Agency, Forestry Ministry officials, and academic experts.
“This committee will develop the framework and oversee the selection of the zoo’s new management,” Farhan explained, adding that the selection process is expected to be completed within three months. He stressed that the new management must be legally recognized and prioritize education and conservation over profit.
“Moving forward, Bandung Zoo’s operations will adopt a more professional approach, with education, conservation, environmental stewardship and cultural preservation as the primary priorities,” Farhan said. The city government anticipates a partnership with the new management lasting approximately 10 years, ensuring ongoing evaluation and oversight by central, provincial, and city authorities.
Bandung Zoo is home to a wide variety of animals, including Bengal tigers, lions, leopards, eagles, peacocks, orangutans, camels, hippos, zebras, alligators, giraffes, tapirs, binturongs, Javan langurs, and cassowaries. The ongoing crisis highlights the vulnerability of wildlife caught in the crossfire of administrative disputes and the critical need for responsible zoo management.
