Nina A. Loasana, Jakarta – The Forestry Ministry has officially revoked the operating permit of Bandung Zoo following a prolonged internal and legal dispute within the zoo's management which threatened the welfare of more than 700 animals housed in the facility.
The ministry's director general of natural resources and ecosystem conservation, Satyawan Pudiyatmoko, said the permit revocation was crucial to ensure that the animals at Bandung Zoo are protected and properly cared for.
"The state cannot allow animals to suffer because of a legal dispute. Bandung Zoo is a source of pride for West Java, particularly for the people of Bandung, and the animals here are a responsibility we must protect together," he said recently.
He added that the Forestry Ministry will take full responsibility for the care of the zoo's animals until a new, more professional management team is appointed.
Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan said the city government will support the zoo during the transition period by covering the salaries of employees and animal caretakers.
"The Bandung Administration will ensure that all staff continue to receive their salaries in accordance with prevailing regulations," he said.
The city will also cover essential operational needs at the zoo, including electricity, cleaning and maintenance of the grounds.
Farhan added that Bandung Zoo will remain closed to visitors while the Forestry Ministry carries out a comprehensive assessment of the animals' health and well-being. Reopening will only occur once the ministry confirms that all animals are in a healthy and stable condition.
According to Farhan, the city will soon form a committee to select a new management team for Bandung Zoo. The committee will comprise 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," he said, adding that the selection process for the new management team is expected to be completed within three months.
He stressed that the new management must be legally recognized and focus on education and conservation rather than 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 that the partnership with the new management will last approximately 10 years, ensuring ongoing evaluation, revitalization and oversight by the central, provincial and city authorities.
Bandung Zoo is home to a diverse collection of animals, including Bengal tigers, lions, leopards, eagles, peacocks, orangutans, camels, hippos, zebras, alligators, giraffes, tapirs, binturongs, Javan langurs and cassowaries.
The zoo was closed to visitors on Aug. 6, 2025, after two competing factions each claimed legal authority to operate the facility, which is located on land owned by the local government. With the gates shut, the zoo lost ticket revenue while daily operational costs continued, pushing the facility into a severe financial crisis.
More than 700 animals at Bandung Zoo are at risk of starvation because of the prolonged closure and uncertainty over management.
The internal disputes have also contributed to a decline in animal care and changes to enclosure layouts, causing additional stress for the animals. Since March, seven animals, including a pelican and a binturong, have reportedly died amid the ongoing management conflicts.
A recent assessment by veterinarians from the Jakarta Animal Aid Network (JAAN) revealed that several animals, particularly primates and mammals, showed signs of malnutrition.
Some elephants were observed engaging in repetitive, purposeless movements, a behavior often linked to a lack of enrichment. Meanwhile, some primates, including orangutans and black macaques, showed signs of baldness, which may be caused by skin disease, malnutrition or stress.