Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry, WCS Indonesia and CMA CGM strengthen partnership to combat illegal wildlife trade

The Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia, in partnership with France-based CMA CGM Group, a global player in sea, land, air and logistics solutions, held an event today in Bandar Lampung to share the achievements of their joint collaboration since 2024. The event was followed by a field visit to the Wildlife Detection Dog (WDD) facility in Kalianda, South Lampung, where delegates observed first-hand the program’s role in supporting efforts to prevent the illegal trade of flora and fauna.

The WDD program was initiated by the Wildlife Conservation Society Program Indonesia (WCS Indonesia) and its local partner, Jaringan Satwa Indonesia (JSI), to support the Ministry of Forestry's Directorate of Species and Genetic Conservation (KSG) in intercepting the illicit trade of plants and wildlife.

The partnership established in 2024 between the Ministry of Forestry, WCS Indonesia, and CMA CGM has delivered tangible impact on national biosecurity, including:

• Conducting comprehensive port vulnerability assessments to identify and close smuggling loopholes.
• Engaging and training 127 port officials and enforcement officers across multiple state institutions.
• Deploying K9 units through the WDD program, which directly supported 39 joint operations with government agencies.

Through the partnership-supported operations since 2024, 957 animals were successfully secured from illegal trade networks, including protected species such as the Sunda pied fantail, Javan leafbird, and changeable hawk-eagle. Of these, 770 have already been released back into their natural habitats. Beyond protecting endangered species, these interventions play a critical role in breaking the chain of zoonotic diseases that threaten both public and animal health.
During the visit to the Kalianda facility, delegates observed how specialized detection dogs are trained to identify hidden wildlife and their derivatives within smuggled cargo.

Dr. Ahmad Munawir, S.Hut., M.Si., Director of Species and Genetic Conservation of the Ministry of Forestry, stated, “The protection of wild plants and animals is a shared legal responsibility that requires collaborative, integrated, and risk-based monitoring. Logistics routes are among the key points that must continue to be strengthened, as they may be exploited within illegal trade chains. Therefore, this partnership is a strategic step to support the prevention, early detection, and response to illegal wildlife and plant trade.”

He further emphasized that through K9 support, personnel capacity building, and cross-sector collaboration, the initiative is expected to improve the speed, accuracy, and effectiveness of wildlife protection efforts. Its success may also be replicated in other high-risk illegal trade hotspots to strengthen broader multi-stakeholder action for biodiversity conservation and long-term environmental sustainability.

Sofi Mardiah, Senior Manager of Wildlife Trade and Policy Program of WCS Indonesia, said, “The past year has demonstrated that protecting wildlife and protecting supply chains go hand in hand. With the Ministry of Forestry’s collaboration and CMA CGM’s support, we have strengthened operational readiness and deepened partnerships. The WDD program reinforces why early detection at the frontline is critical for conservation. Through this work, CMA CGM demonstrates leadership, proving that a global logistics leader will not let its supply chain be used for wildlife crime. We are grateful for their commitment and look forward to scaling our impact together and becoming part of the solution.”

Ikram Ghazali, President Director of CMA CGM Indonesia, said, “As a global player in shipping and logistics, we recognize that supply chains play a critical role in both enabling and preventing illicit activities. Our partnership with the Ministry of Forestry and WCS Indonesia reflects our commitment to strengthening safeguards across logistics networks and supporting practical solutions such as the Wildlife Detection Dog program. Protecting biodiversity requires sustained collaboration across public and private sectors, and at CMA CGM, we are committed to playing our part in Indonesia.”