More Justice for Javan Rhinos
February 13, 2025
On February 12th, 2025, a panel of judges at Pandeglang District Court declared six defendants in a shocking case of Javan rhino poaching guilty, and served the official verdicts. Five of the six defendants received sentences of 11 years in prison and a fine of 100 million rupiah (~$6,130 USD). The sixth defendant, a leader of a poaching network operating in Ujung Kulon National Park, was sentenced to 12 years in prison and a fine of 100 million rupiah (~$6,130 USD). All of the defendants were charged with “an unlawful act in the form of hunting Javan Rhinos,” as well as possession of illegal firearms and machetes.
These sentences follow the surprising precedent set by the first sentencing in the Javan rhino poaching case in June 2024, when a panel of judges’ handed down a criminal verdict that was higher than the charges recommended by the public prosecutor and represented the longest jail term ever of a wildlife crime case in Indonesia. These legal proceedings began in the fall of 2023, when authorities discovered poached rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park on Indonesia’s island of Java and quickly uncovered two poaching groups. The suspects were apprehended and later made a shocking confession of killing between 18- 26 Javan rhinos over the course of five years.
“This ruling cannot undo the tragic loss of as many as 26 rare Javan rhinos, but it sets a strong precedent and delivers a clear warning to those who would threaten Indonesia’s wildlife,” said Nina Fascione, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation. “Adequate justice in a case like this is critical to ensuring rhinos are safe from future poaching.”
As long-time supporters of Indonesian rhino conservation, IRF commends the thorough investigation that led to this outcome. IRF is grateful to all those involved with this case – the Government of Indonesia, local police and cooperating nonprofits, government agencies, police, local NGOs, as well as community members who spoke out in support of their rhinos. Holding wildlife criminals accountable is essential to protecting biodiversity, and we applaud the dedication of all agencies involved. We encourage them to continue their efforts to uncover the full scope of this crime, ensure that all responsible parties face justice, and implement stronger protections to prevent future poaching in Indonesia.
“Javan rhinos are a large species that reproduce slowly, so it will take a long time to recover from this terrible loss. But we have brought Javan rhinos back from the brink of extinction before, and we will do it again,” Fascione said. “Despite this setback, Javan rhinos continue to reproduce in the wild. With stronger safeguards and unwavering commitment, we can ensure their continued recovery. This strong sentence is a vital step toward making sure no rhino in Indonesia is ever poached again.”