TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Forestry Minister Raja Juli Antoni has officially revoked the conservation permit of the Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT), the current management body of Bandung Zoo. Satyawan Pudiyatmoko, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, emphasized that this decisive action was taken to rescue the animals.
"The state cannot allow animals to fall victim to administrative disputes. We have revoked the permit to ensure that the animals at Bandung Zoo are protected and are not neglected," Satyawan stated in a Bandung City Government press release on Thursday, February 5, 2026.
Satyawan affirmed that the Ministry of Forestry will assume full responsibility for the care and rescue of all animals for a maximum of three months until a new, professional manager who adheres to animal welfare standards is appointed.
"Bandung Zoo is the pride of the people of West Java, particularly those in Bandung. The animals within are a trust that we must collectively preserve," he added.
Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan noted that the City Government is moving to secure the site as part of a broader effort to organize local assets and guarantee animal safety.
"The Bandung Zoo grounds are land owned by the Bandung City Government, designated as a public green open space with a protective function. The state is obliged to intervene to preserve this asset and ensure the protection of the animals residing there," Farhan said in a press release on Thursday.
Farhan explained that, for the time being, the zoo's operations will be managed jointly by the Ministry of Forestry, the West Java Forestry Office, and the Bandung City Government during the transition toward a new management structure.
Regarding the wildlife, authority rests solely with the Ministry of Forestry. "Animals must not be the casualties of administrative or institutional conflicts. Our actions today ensure they are safe, fed, and cared for," he remarked.
Farhan also stated that zoo staff are required to continue their duties under the Bandung City Government in accordance with current regulations. Basic management needs, including electricity, sanitation, and site maintenance, remain the government's priority.
The city has pledged to maintain the Bandung Zoo area as a public Green Open Space (RTH). Future management will prioritize education, environmental conservation, and cultural preservation.
The joint coordination for the zoo's management is formalized in a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Mayor of Bandung and the Ministry’s Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, signed on Thursday. This MoU outlines the division of roles and responsibilities during the transition following the revocation of YMT’s permit and subsequent evacuation activities.
The agreement is valid for three months, serving as a legal framework for securing regional assets, site management, and animal care until a permanent, professional manager is selected. On Thursday, the Bandung City Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) secured the premises by sealing the area.
The Bandung City Government had previously shuttered the zoo due to long-standing internal management conflicts. While the city maintains that the land is a municipal asset, operations were historically handled by the Tamansari Wildlife Foundation. Prior to the current closure, the zoo had briefly been opened to the public free of charge.
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