Bandung Zoo

Bandung Zoo's acquisition is getting messy, with conflicts between the original staff of Bandung Zoo and a security firm hired by Taman Safari Indonesia.

Allegedly, the security firm hired by TSI were preventing staff from caring for the animals, resulting in at least 7 animal deaths

The zoo was also closed yesterday as TSI's security firm again denied the staff access into the zoo.

INFO BANDUNG TERKINI on Instagram: "Semoga ada titik terang, kasian satwa nya jadi korban. Serikat Pekerja Bersitegang dengan pihak security Red Guard yang tidak ada kontrak dengan YMT Pada Rabu Malam, sekira pukul 23.30 sejumlah karyawan Bandung Zoo bersitegang dengan vendor security Red Guard. Kejadian ini berlangsung sekitar tiga puluh menit karena karyawan mengambil langkah pengamanan ruangan keuangan di Bandung Zoo. Ketegangan sekira 80 karyawan versus vendor keamanan Red Guard yang dikontrak oleh TSI (Taman Safari Indonesia) itu berujung pada saling dorong. Sejumlah karyawan wanita berteriak histeris karena aksi tersebut juga berujung pada insiden ketika Gantira Bratakusuma, pembina YMT (Yayasan Margasatwa Tamansari) tersikut dahinya oleh salah seorang oknum Red Guard. Kejadian itu memuncak ketika Gantira meminta karyawannya mengganti semua kunci termasuk kunci ruang keuangan. "Perhatian! Saya pembina YMT yang berhak mengelola kebun binatang ini, kalian semua mundur (Red Guard)! Ini adalah langkah untuk pengamanan aset keuangan yayasan", seru Gantira. Sepanjang malam hingga pagi ini puluhan karyawan Bandung Zoo yang tergabung dalam Serikat Pekerja Mandiri Derenten (SPMD) terus mengamankan ruangan tersebut. Nampak juga Ketua SPMD, Yaya Suhaya dan pengurus serikat lainnya bahu membahu menjaga ruangan tersebut. Selengkapnya di slide ke 2 Sc: @bandungterkini Istimewa/ Cepi"

Info Bandung Raya on Instagram: "Video kiriman wargi Bandung, mengenai adanya rame-rame di depan gerbang Bandung Zoo, Tamansari, Kota Bandung, Rabu, 06/08/25 sekitar pukul 11.45 WIB. Melansir dari DetikJabar, manajemen baru Yayasan Margasatwa Tamansari (YMT) era John Sumampau memutuskan menutup sementara operasional Kebun Binatang Bandung atau Bandung Zoo hari ini. Penutupan dilakukan untuk pengamanan aset daerah. Sementara itu, dalam instagram story nya, akun @bandung_zoo juga menyampaikan informasi adanya penutupan sementara. "MOHON MAAF! HARI INI KAMI TUTUP KARENA ADA OKNUM T*MAN SAF*RI INDONESIA YANG MENDUDUKI KEBUN BINATANG BANDUNG BERSAMA PULUHAN SECURITY R*D GU*RD, HARI INI KAMI TIDAK BISA MENJALANKAN OPERASIONAL. TERIMA KASIH" bunyi pengumuman via instagram story Bandung Zoo. Video: Kang @mvirgio ------------------- Kirimkan informasi/berita terkini seputar Bandung Raya melalui DM ke @wargibandungraya atau bisa via Telegram melalui link t.me/wargibandungraya atau cari di Telegram "WargiBandungRaya" ------------------ #InfoBandungRaya #IBRagustus25 #ibr25 #BandungZoo"

Thankfully I've already visited Bandung Zoo last year but, this is terrible
I don't think I can trust Taman Safari to acquire/revitalize Ragunan Zoo, I think Jatim Park or Jagat Satwa could do better
 
In a disturbing development, as the result of the conflict between TSI and Yayasan Margasatwa Tamansari, it was reported that several animals, including an baby orangutan named Tama, are neglected. Scheduled care and feeding for Tama and the other animals are halted due to the staffs being blocked to entry the zoo by security enforcers allegedly contracted by Taman Safari.

A video surfaced of Tama apparently being locked within a small room and wasn't being care for, as the key to the room was taken by one of the enforcers. Staffs have to broke in to ensure Tama's well-being.

Source
Penutupan Bandung Zoo Picu Kekacauan: Bayi Satwa Jadi Korban - Bukamata.id
Ruanginfo.id on Instagram: "Situasi memanas di Bandung Zoo pada Rabu pagi (06/08/2025), ketika sekelompok orang yang diduga berasal dari Taman Safari Indonesia dan Red Guard menerobos masuk. Dalam insiden ini, Tama (bayi orangutan) nyaris tak mendapat pakan karena terjebak di ruangan yang dikunci oleh oknum penyerbu. Petugas pun terpaksa membongkar pintu demi menyelamatkan satwa tersebut. Menurut Sulhan Safii dari Yayasan Margasatwa Tamansari, “Ada belasan bayi satwa yang harus diberi makan pagi. Tapi kami semua dikeluarkan dari tempat ini oleh pihak yang tidak jelas.” : Instagram/official_bukamata #ruanginfoid #trending"
 
In a disturbing development, as the result of the conflict between TSI and Yayasan Margasatwa Tamansari, it was reported that several animals, including an baby orangutan named Tama, are neglected. Scheduled care and feeding for Tama and the other animals are halted due to the staffs being blocked to entry the zoo by security enforcers allegedly contracted by Taman Safari.

A video surfaced of Tama apparently being locked within a small room and wasn't being care for, as the key to the room was taken by one of the enforcers. Staffs have to broke in to ensure Tama's well-being.

Source
Penutupan Bandung Zoo Picu Kekacauan: Bayi Satwa Jadi Korban - Bukamata.id
Ruanginfo.id on Instagram: "Situasi memanas di Bandung Zoo pada Rabu pagi (06/08/2025), ketika sekelompok orang yang diduga berasal dari Taman Safari Indonesia dan Red Guard menerobos masuk. Dalam insiden ini, Tama (bayi orangutan) nyaris tak mendapat pakan karena terjebak di ruangan yang dikunci oleh oknum penyerbu. Petugas pun terpaksa membongkar pintu demi menyelamatkan satwa tersebut. Menurut Sulhan Safii dari Yayasan Margasatwa Tamansari, “Ada belasan bayi satwa yang harus diberi makan pagi. Tapi kami semua dikeluarkan dari tempat ini oleh pihak yang tidak jelas.” : Instagram/official_bukamata #ruanginfoid #trending"

I really hope local animal welfare groups speak up about this mess. This is becoming very disastrous.. :(
 
Several animals previously given by Taman Safari, including the pair of giraffes, zebras, and antelopes, as well as several "show animals", will be returned back to Taman Safari Indonesia. Reason given is because the zoo has yet to done any "objectives" assigned with keeping these animals, likely include breeding.

Izin Bandung Zoo Terancam Dicabut, Manajemen Kembalikan Jerapah, Lechwe, Gnu ke Taman Safari

Well crap!
It gets even worse!
I guess you owe Lembang Park & Zoo an apology now, ateast they haven't gotten in trouble since their opening back in 2019 :D
 
I guess you owe Lembang Park & Zoo an apology now, ateast they haven't gotten in trouble since their opening back in 2019 :D
So, keeping your orangutan/sun bear isolated within small spaces, having elephants interact with guests without time to rest & shelter, and generally have very small conservation value with focus on profit are a more better alternative?

The things Bandung is going into right now doesn't mean zoos with horrible practises are suddenly better because they're not "in trouble". Lembang is lucky because they're very popular with ordinary guests and celebrities, and are virtually obscure to general worldwide audience, making them "invicible" to criticism from actual advocates and making them less caring to fix their very huge issues.

I could say that Jogja Exotarium, Jember Mini Zoo, & Maharani Zoo & Goa are "great zoos" just because they haven't been into such troubles, huh.
 
So, keeping your orangutan/sun bear isolated within small spaces, having elephants interact with guests without time to rest & shelter, and generally have very small conservation value with focus on profit are a more better alternative?

The things Bandung is going into right now doesn't mean zoos with horrible practises are suddenly better because they're not "in trouble". Lembang is lucky because they're very popular with ordinary guests and celebrities, and are virtually obscure to general worldwide audience, making them "invicible" to criticism from actual advocates and making them less caring to fix their very huge issues.

I could say that Jogja Exotarium, Jember Mini Zoo, & Maharani Zoo & Goa are "great zoos" just because they haven't been into such troubles, huh.

Well, I take that back...
 
Here are some more updates:

www.detik.com/jabar/berita/d-8062122/catatan-dprd-soal-kisruh-dualisme-yayasan-di-bandung-zoo/amp

The DPRD (Regional House of Representatives) is urging the Bandung government to hire a third party to manage Bandung's animals, possibly from PKBSI, while the ownership conflict is ongoing. The DPRD also notes that management of the zoo was better after the takeover by TSI.

Awal Mula Dualisme Kepengurusan Kebun Binatang Bandung

This article states that the Sumampaus were already asked to enter YMT (Yayasan Margasatwa Tamansari) by 2016

The conflict started way back in 2021 when the government demanded money for renting the land BZ is on, money that was supposedly already paid through another YMT head, Sri Devi. She is notably one of two heads charged with corruption that led to the TSI takeover.

Said YMT head disagreed that the land belonged to the government and more internal conflict resulted in the Sumampaus' names being struck from YMT before being reinstated as the heads of YMT this year by the Judiciary Office.
 
After being closed for 2 months, Bandung Zoo reopened its doors for a limited number of guests on the 19th and 21st this month. There are plans to open the zoo this way temporarily as a way to readjust the animals to having visitors.

Bandung Zoo Kembali Dibuka Terbatas, Pelajar Dapat Akses Gratis

New head of YMT, John Sumampau has also spoken about the future plans of this zoo, stating specifically that one of the plans is revitalizing the old barred cages into more modern "open" enclosures (Where have we heard THAT before?)

As well, a preliminary roster of animals and attractions has surfaced, with planned enclosure refurbishment for:
  • Elephants
  • African Lions
  • Sumatran Tigers
  • "Bengal" Tigers
  • Sun Bears
  • Parrot Aviary
  • Reptarium
  • Sunda Porcupine
  • Javan Banteng
  • Deer
  • African Paddock for Elephants and Zebras
and specifically creating open-top exhibits for:
  • Siamang
  • Binturong
  • Pelican
  • Orangutan
  • Gibbons
  • Tapir
Revitalisasi Bandung Zoo modern dan ramah - Infografik ANTARA News

With exception to the Giraffes, this roster of animals is nearly identical to the one present in Solo Safari, which is not unexpected but sorely disappointing for me personally.
 
Back
Top