Animals at Bandung Zoo Suspected of Being Stress
- Editor RM Bambang Murijanto Bagus Kusuma Adji
- 19 Jan 2026
- Voice of Indonesia
RRI.CO.ID, Bandung - The conservation organization Geopix found that several animals at the Bandung Zoo in Bandung, West Java are suspected of experiencing stress due to management considered inadequate.
Field reports show elephants and orangutans under severe stress, prompting demands for a full management audit before reopening to the public.
As reported by
Antara, the conservation organization Geopix recently uncovered evidence of inadequate care that they claim has left several animals in a compromised state. Senior Wildlife Campaigner for Geopix, Annisa Rahmawati, urged both the management and Bandung Administration to prioritize animal welfare over operational timelines.“The field findings regarding the suspected stress conditions of orangutans, elephants, and black macaques are deeply worrying, concerning, and must not be ignored,” she said in a report received in Bandung on Monday, December 19, 2026.
Biological experts have specifically highlighted the presence of "stereotypic behavior", a well-known indicator of animal suffering in captivity. Indira Nurul Qomariah, a senior biologist and wildlife curator at the Center for Orangutan Protection, noted that at least one elephant has been observed performing purposeless, repetitive movements.
According to Indira, such behaviors are often triggered by environments that fail to support welfare, such as a lack of social interaction or mental stimulation.
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of internal management conflicts and shifting administrative oversight. Geopix warns that reopening the zoo now risks worsening animal welfare and exposing flaws in Indonesia's ex-situ conservation.
“We urge the Bandung Zoo management body, the Bandung City Administration, and the Forestry Ministry not to rush the reopening without ensuring the animals' conditions and management standards are truly feasible,” added Annisa.
In response to the growing concerns, the Tamansari Wildlife Foundation (YMT), which previously managed the site, clarified its current standing. Spokesperson Ully Rangkuti explained that since August 2025, YMT management under John Sumampauw has ceased physical operations at the zoo to comply with local administration directives.
“Since then, the presence of personnel at Bandung Zoo has been focused on technical staff handling animal welfare, namely keepers and veterinarians,” said Ully. ***
