Banda Aceh - As many as 200 people paraded on a protocol road in Banda Aceh to call for an end to animal cruelty. This is a global action simultaneously carried out in many cities around the world to support the rescue of endangered animals through the Global March for elephant, Rhino, Tiger and Orangutan (GMFERTO).

This campaign action raises the issue of saving elephants, rhinos, tigers and orangutans which are key Sumatran species from the threat of extinction, especially due to poaching and illegal trade. This action was initiated by Earth Hour Aceh supported by WWF Indonesia, forestry police from the Forestry Service, Bapedal Aceh, Community Collaboration Forum, tourism ambassadors, reading ambassadors, people with disabilities, environmental ambassadors, Seuramo Ragae band, Lab School Unsyiah high school students, and Al Imtiyaz school.

"This is our way of conveying our voices to be heard by decision makers so that we immediately work together to save our animals from the danger of extinction. We must stop animal crimes together by helping law enforcement officials provide information on animal crimes around us," said Action Coordinator, Rivana Amelia from Earth Hour Aceh.

The participants gathered at Rumoh Aceh Museum and then walked together through the protocol road passing in front of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in the city center. They carried posters calling for animal rescue, stopping poaching and illegal trade. They also called for reporting animal crimes to the police.

Some of the posters carried included: "Stop Animal Crimes", "Stop Keeping Animals in Your Home", "See and Report Animal Crimes Around You", "Protect Animals, Preserve the Heritage of Endatu Geutanyo", "Bek Poh Rimueng", or posters made by these children full of their handprints: "Orangutans, Elephants, Rhinos, Tigers You Are My Everything."

The action was filled with speeches, poetry readings, singing "Aceh Lon Sayang" led by the disabled community. Orations were delivered by the Aceh Tourism Ambassador and Imum Mukin Tangse who came to represent traditional leaders. In addition, there were poetry readings about animals delivered by tourism ambassadors, reading ambassadors and environmental ambassadors. Participants also signed a commitment charter for the protection of Aceh's forests and animals.
Since 2015 the city of Banda Aceh has been the first city in Indonesia to participate in this global action because it feels part of the world community that cares about the fate of elephants, tigers, rhinos and orangutans. These animals can only be found in full in the Leuser forest in Aceh so it is only right that the people of Aceh give their support and voice to call for an end to poaching and illegal wildlife trade.