Jakarta, April 2 -- Indonesia's Forestry Ministry has thwarted an attempt to illegally trade protected birds in Manado, North Sulawesi.

The ministry's Law Enforcement Agency head Ali Bahri said in a statement on Thursday that an operation on March 10 led to the arrest of a suspect attempting to transport two palm cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus) in a vehicle.

A follow-up search at the suspect's residence uncovered a cassowary chick (Casuarius unappendiculatus), he said.

"Any form of hunting, trade, or illegal possession of protected wildlife will not be tolerated. We will strengthen coordination with stakeholders and enhance monitoring to safeguard Indonesia's biodiversity," Bahri said.

The suspect planned to send the cockatoos to a ...